Hey all,
Happy Monday!
I’ve heard lots about how good Park runs are, we have one in Cheltenham, but I have so many questions (doubts).
I’m at week 5 of C25k am I ready to try a park run
Do I really want to race? That’s not why I started running
If I don’t go am I missing out on a great experience?
Thanks
Laura
Hey, I've only started couch to 5k so I'm way behind you but, I plan to finish with a park run to mark graduation at the end of the summer. Park runs are 5k and often for new runners it takes them a bit longer to complete so if you're only on week 5 and managed to complete a 20 minute run, a half a hour plus run to complete a 5k might be a massive shock to the system. If you're desparate to do one, I'd at least wait till week 7 where you're running for 25 minutes 3 times a week, because then a park run running for 30 mins plus isn't too much of a step up. But yeah, I'm not planning to do a park run until I graduate, to mark the occasion, and this seems to be a common thing to do 
well done for getting to w5!!! 😁
I have never done one but I have heard wonderful things. I plan to do one in August when I am back in the UK.
It's a run, not a race, and it seems that many people walk it even, so you should be able to do it. I'm sure that many of our park runners will come and endorse the park run and its great atmosphere.
Hi I ran my first park run on wk9 run 3 and for me I wanted to be able to jog it at my own pace regardless how fast or slow everyone else was. It was also the first time I had ran with anyone else and I had to keep reminding myself it wasn't a race as I wanted to be able to complete it without stopping ! It was a great experience and I will be doing it again soon. For me I would leave it till nearer the end of C25K before trying it if you want to complete it without stopping whatever your pace is.
Parkrun is a wonderful, welcoming, friendly and supportive movement and I am sure you will become a convert.
Firstly, you are only racing against yourself.......it is a timed run, not a race (unless you are one of those who completes 5k in mid teen minutes)
We recommend that if you want to take part in parkrun while mid plan that you stick to your C25K programmed workout and walk the remainder, just to avoid doing too much too soon.
The temptation is to try to keep up with others, especially when you are overtaken by eight year olds and eighty year olds.........get used to it and stick to your easy pace.........those others have been running for much longer than you.
Many people walk some or all of the route and there is normally a tailwalker, so you are unlikely to arrive home last.
You have to register at parkrun.org.uk/ and print off a barcode before the day and you can register your club as NHS C25K, if you wish.
As long as you are sensible and don't get carried away, then parkrun is a life affirming and free example of people power at its best, which will introduce you to the vast array of all shapes, weights, ages, abilities and disabilities of runners in your area.
Have a great time.
I hope not... it’s not on until Saturday 🤣
Parkrun is wonderful. It’s only a race for those who want it to be, for the vast majority of the runners it’s an amazing way to start the weekend with like minded people and get lots of support on their fitness/running journey. Yes, you will be able to marvel at the people who can run it in 20 or less minutes... but there will be loads of people just like us there too. It’s not for everybody, but I’d recommend trying it at least once.
If you do go, stick to your scheduled run and walk the rest.
Park run is only a race with your self! You get your time (take your barcode) then track your progress over the months to come. You'll see your time decrease. It's a great way to measure your fitness! I walked a park run with my friend in January in 58 minutes. Ran it 4 weeks ago in 42 minutes. Ran in this weekend just gone in 36 minutes! I race against me!
People are lovely and encourage each other along. I thank the marshals on the way round. Very kind of them to volunteer! Especially when raining.
Do it!
I look forward to seeing how you do and whether you enjoy it!
I waited until I'd graduated, but the main reason for that was that up until that point, I was refereeing rugby matches on Saturday mornings, so I was never able to go. It just so happened that my first free Saturday was the Saturday after I graduated, so along I went.
I'll second what everyone has said. It's very welcoming and friendly (I have two very close to where I live and have found a great crowd at both).
If you are planning timing it with the W5R3 run, walk the first five minutes as your warm up, run your 20 minutes, then walk the rest. One advantage of doing it this way is that the faster runners bound off while you are warming up, and you're less likely to get dragged along at an inappropriate pace in the heat of the moment (although, if you read my post from Saturday, that can still happen even to those of us who should know better).
I'm like Zara2017 and I've just watched my own times get quicker (from just under 40, to just over 33 minutes in the 5 weeks since graduating).
For me, the best bit is knowing that I have absolutely earned the coffee and slice of cake in the cafe after the run...
Parkrun volunteering
I did it! First parkrun
I found a parkrun :)
C25K & Parkrun
Parkrun
