So I am due to to run Week 8 Run 3 tomorrow but there is a park run I fancy going to Saturday. Is it acceptable to start the run with my brisk 5 minute walk and just do the run as I normally would? Or will I look silly walking right at the start?
Also will I look weird going alone? I have nobody to come with me Saturday. The person that was supposed to be coming with me has let me down?
Thanks
You will be fine on your own. Don’t worry about that. There is a briefing for first time runners before the start. You won’t be on your own after that.
And exactly as you said do your run by starting with the 5 min walk so as to let all the faster runners head off. Then do your run as per the C25K plan and then walk to the finish line.
Enjoy it. Parkrun is amazing. You will have a ball. And the next week you can go back and finish off run 3 of week 9 at Parkrun.
Damien
I was really worried about going on my own too but there were lots of other people there on their own too. I think I saw a few people walking at the start but I walked from the car park, and paced around a fair bit before the start so felt able to run straight away.
Hope you have a great time, my local one isn’t on this week so I have an enforced week off!
You’ll be fine. Nobody at a Park Run thinks anyone looks silly. It’s just not that spirit. And it can be good to start with a walk & run pace; you’ll be getting a new personal best every week you go as you build up! 😄👍
Do exactly what you have said.. and don't worry about being on your own...you will be fine.. plenty of folk all around you!
I dreaded it for different reasons, but folk are so friendly... you will be okay!
Thank you ☺️
Check this out..it may reassure you...
Just go for it, parkruns are inclusive and none competitive other than your own aims. Some people on the run I go to actually do a fast walk, there are people with children and older people as well as our local Harriers, it’s great and I just go alone but you won’t feel alone goodluck
Sure you won’t feel alone once you get there...will be other people who feel exactly the same. Good luck for your run tomorrow (I’m doing that one too in the morning) and for Saturday 🏃♀️
Walking for 5 minutes or 45 minutes is equally acceptable at parkrun, so you will be fine.
Turn up for the first time briefing usually at 8:50 and the route and anything to note will be explained.
Don’t forget your barcode as you will need this when you finish to get your time recorded.
Enjoy, and good luck!
Do what you feel is comfortable you can walk/run with the tail walker . I run and go to park run on my own you will be fine and I’m sure you will want to go every week after that ! You can always volunteer too that’s such good fun !
You never know! I’m at a particularly low point in my life so anything that kind of gets me out of the house and socialising is good for me currently! Maybe the volunteering is a good idea. Thanks 😀
I did my post graduation run at parkrun, starting with my 5 minute walk. Not a problem at all as many people walk it all at our parkrun. Check out previous results on the parkrun website just to make sure that the slow times at your parkrun reflects this. Lots do it on their own too. You’ll never be last as the Tailwalkers will do that and the marshals are very supportive. Just let the volunteers know that it’s your first time so you can have a briefing. Start near the back so you don’t get in the way of those running from the start, and don’t forget to print off and take your barcode. Do stick to the c25k programme though - however tempting it might be to run with everyone else.
Beware some of us have become addicted to parkrun. Your Saturdays might never be the same again
I did a PR on week 7 and also did my warm up walk at the start of the race (ref post). Yes it was a bit demoralising to see everyone run off at the start but in a way it was good as when I started running I did it at my pace AND I overtook people that had stopped to walk.BTW there is no shame in walking it, some people walk the whole of it. On week 7 I did my C25K with the warm down walk and then I alternated 2 minutes running with 1 walking. DISCLAIMER 
This is not part of the programme but that is what I decided to do.
Another positive is you then improve your time quite easily the week after! On week 9 r 2 I run from the start. Loads of people do it on their own as I did and it's a very social event.
I absolutely recommend it!
Thanks, I’m looking forward to it xx
Im feeling the same, I’ve registered just got to get myself there. My local one is Sale Water Park. I’m running tomorrow so this Saturday won’t give me enough rest between runs. Good luck and let me know how it goesx
If you know when you want to go, I'll happily come with you to Sale as my first Parkrun tourism (though I appreciate I'm a complete stranger too!).
Or come to Marple the week after where there will be a few of us including BaddieThePirate
Thank you that’s really nice of you. I will let you know 👍
Yes come to Marple Sat 23rd March where a few of us will be meeting up with Virtual Buddies. It would be great to meet you 🙂
Thank you, I will let you know, it would be lovely to meet a few of you xxxx
It’ll be fine. I’ve done 2 now, on my own and following the C25k plan. The first time I did my 5 min walk when the race started and did the run/walk/run that was my week 6 planned run. The next time (a fortnight later) I did a brisk 5 min walk just before 9 am so actually started running from the off and ran for my full 25min. It’s a fabulous atmosphere! Have a good run!
I'm also planning to do my first Park Run this Saturday and it'll be as my Run 2 of Week 9. Good luck to you 🙂
Oohh Kimbov, do it and let us know how you get on. It'll be the inspiration I need to also have a go. Good luck 🏃🏃
So glad you asked this as I’m doing my w9r3 tomorrow on my 1st park run. Was worried about walking from start but not now. Good luck - Looks like we’ll get quite wet though😉
I do parkrun alone & it’s so friendly! Perhaps doing the warmup walk just before the start then you can run the first bit? In my head I’m a competitive athlete coming back from serious injury so I’m taking it easy no 1 knows your story and really no 1 is bothering they are glad there are lots of nice people getting fit together 🏃🏼♀️
You’ll be fine on your own. I used to go with my friends and her family but then we used to go our separate ways so I may have well been on my own! There are all sorts of different people doing the run - some run, some walk, some take your dogs round. Just go at your own pace and you’ll be absolutely fine. There is always loads of support at Park Runs and everyone is very friendly xx
That’s exactly what I did: my first parkrun was in week 8 and I walked 5, ran 28 and walked the rest. There is actually an advantage to walking at the start as it can be quite busy and by letting the hares get ahead you find you have a bit more personal space for a comfortable run.
I echo everything others have said. My first parkrun was before I started the programme and I only ran tiny bits of it. At the moment I'm still doing my 5 minute warm up at the start so I'm not tempted to try and keep up and then injure myself. And I'm not the last usually either, though I have been a couple of times. You will love it.
Ps - if you happen to be in the North West and can get to Marple, I'll be there and would happily be a friendly face for you.
Hi Kimbov. There really is no need to worry. I started to do park runs in January. The people there are so encouraging. The marshals are volunteers and are there because they want to help you The faster other runners at our park run in Thurrock also encourage the others.
There are people that walk all the way. It’s great to combine the park run with the encouragement you get from C25K. One thing at the moment is to concentrate on your c25k. Don’t be dragged into running faster than you have been. It’s important to keep running for the full 28mins.
Park run is for everyone. I’ve seen 3 generations of family running together, a lady with a baby strapped to her stomach, men with pushchairs and many running with their dogs.
Have fun and keep your goal your graduation 👩🎓🏃🏽♂️
I have done a couple of park runs years ago and walked a lot of it I was lapped by the faster runners even with pushchairs but they were brilliant they really encourage you as they run by telling you to keep going etc
The high you feel when you’ve done them is wonderful you feel like you’ve won a gold medal ( well I did anyway 😊)
At our local park run there is a blind lady who goes every week and walks all the way round. She has a guide with her and they always chat to the tail walkers if they are last. But the whole atmosphere is so joyful, and as everyone has already said to you, supportive to all.
So get out there and don’t overdo it to start with - I’m sure you’ll want to go again next week!
Eeek!! It’s my intention to graduate at a park run tomorrow - it will be my very first one too but I wanted to mark the occasion with something a little different to my normal route! Good luck 😉
You'll be great! Have fun! 😁
I did exactly what you’re planning, walked 5 then ran, ran an extra minute then walked the rest but jogged the last bit over the line. I wasn’t last either.
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