I've been on Park Run three times so far. My closest Park Run is a well attended event on the playing fields adjacent to the old Fry's Somerdale Chocolate Factory.
The route is simply 2 x laps of a flat course mown onto grass. On the face of it, it should be easy. I can quite happily go for runs for 5-7km at a time, over undulating and varied terrain and love it. Blasting through forest trails, running along scenic paths etc. I just whack on some music or the stamina podcast and go for it, having a blast.
But Park Run! I find it so difficult! Maybe it is trying to match pace with others, or the twistiness of the course, but by the time I hit 5km I am utterly spent. Totally exhausted! And then I find my pace and time to cover the 5km is much slower than I would expect.
Meanwhile, I can happily run 5km followed by a gentle jog for another 3 or 4km accompanying my son on his bike.
I know Park Run is not a race, but it is hard not to push yourself and feel a bit competitive in that scenario.
Not sure why I am posting this to be honest. I am endeavouring to start a new approach to run training, alternating short 15-20min recovery runs one time, longer interval running or hills on other days. I am not sure about Park Run now. Last weekend's run was the first time I felt worse from running rather than better!
Written by
IrvingWashington
Graduate
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My PB for running a 5K is 32.25, achieved last year a few months after I graduated, now I doubt if I could achieve that time in a parkrun, I am going to my first parkrun in about 10 days time.
I could imagine a scenario being at that run when starting near the back to go around the same pace as the runners in front, perhaps run at the same pace, not pass the runner in front but be passed by some runners who were actually behind me at the start, if you look at the average time in a parkrun, the majority run sub 30 minutes, the average is 28 or 29 minutes so for us new runners we will be in the last quarter with if we are lucky maybe a sub 35 minute 5K, nevertheless you should not feel worse for running a 5K parkrun, it doesn't matter if you run it in 40 minutes or more.
Yeah I agree. Parkrun is not a race. It is just a run in the Park with loads of other lovely people. You will see the same faces every week and in time you will be able to pick out people who run at a similar pace to you. Chat to them at the finish line and say hi again next week at the start line. Before you know it you will be running along side and chatting as you go around. Also Volunteer every 5-6 Parkruns as it’s a great way of meeting the core team and seeing what goes on in the background.
My local Parkrun is a 3 lap course with a long gradual hill you run down before you reach a steep hill which you have to run up. It really takes energy out of you. When I first started I was taking just over 39 minutes to get around and I had to take loads of walking breaks. I am running now for 2 years and have done 42 Parkruns and volunteered 11 times. I love it. I have made loads of friends and I meet a running group whom are all runners at my local Parkrun every Sunday morning for a long run. It’s very social. Just keep going and don’t try to race. Just take it nice and gentle until you get comfortable with the course. And it’s also lovely to visit other Parkrun s for a change of scenery.
I rarely run during the week (cycle to and from work though) and look forward to Saturday mornings religiously! I find it difficult to keep pace running on my own but at parkrun I seem to be able to push myself. Still have only broken 30 mins twice in 20 parkruns!
Ooh, I think you just haven't found the right course yet. What other ones are within striking distance for you? Sounds like you would prefer a run through woodland or along a river.
Maybe you are putting yourself under pressure because there are other people there. Try to take it slowly, relax and hopefully you will enjoy it more. 😀
Maybe it’s too flat for you. I’m used to running up & down hills near where I live but when I use the flat track by the railway I find it difficult. The down hill bits are nice to catch your breath & recover a bit.
Yes I think you could be right. Maybe just slogging around a flat grassy course is no good for me. I do prefer trails and woodland....
I always recommend parkrun, but I can completely understand people not enjoying it, and I think it's important to say that there's nothing wrong with not enjoying it, running with people and running on your own is completely different.
I don't like people around me when i'm in pain or exhausted.. I find it very difficult to find my rhythm/comfort zone in a parkrun because I try to keep up with the person in front of me, when people overtake I want to speed up... There's also adrenaline. But this is all practice for me, because I want to run with people, overall I enjoy running with people.
There's no right or wrong to this Irving, running is yours, do whatever you enjoy.
Oh, and I can absolutely guarantee that parkrun might not be a race to some but it's definitely a race to others.
Thanks for the advice. Very nice to hear other people's thoughts on this. I may try a different Parkrun next time and see how I get on. I agree with you about not wanting to be around people when in pain or exhausted! Very true! And there is a definite psychological effect with Park Run. Start at the back and spend the run overtaking the slower runners, it can be very beneficial from a psychological point of view. Conversely, start at the front and have all the fast runners overtake you throughout the run, and it will be a massive psychological blow! That was my experience, anyhow! I am very competetive and very self-critical, so it is hard for me to just relax and enjoy a Park Run the way I would a simple run in the countryside or the woods on my own.
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