Parkrun BBC1

[damienair]

There is a show about parkrun starting at 7:30 pm on BBC1.

Damien

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Yes I know about that program, I have asked my daughter to watch it as well, I certainly will be watching it.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

8.03pm, just watched that program with Dame Kelly Holmes, put me in the mood for running my second parkrun, 7 parkruns in Belfast, not bad, spoiled for choice on which one to go to each Saturday morning.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Just seen your post , maybe get it on BBC iPlayer

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Excellent programme but I wish parkrun would promote c25k as a means of getting off the couch.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

A very good program indeed Dexy, I was also sorry that they did not mention C25K as the announcer at the beginning of the program said: "at the end of this program you will want to get off the couch". watching it put me in the mood for a run and especially my second parkrun in two weeks, I intend to run a 5K locally this Wednesday morning.

[johnno117 Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Yes! I know the female of the pair who took part and she actually had to do the C25K programme to get park run ready, so I was expecting there to be a lot more focus on that. It was actually her starting C25K and filming the show that inspired me to start!

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to johnno117]

That’s brilliant johnno117, she should be proud of herself as I think she will have inspired many. hopefully the bbc website showed the link. They always mention it at the London marathon and other televised races now so I was surprised the programme didn’t. If we all inspire just one person to do It , it will be great , Oldgirlruns on here is mine.

[damienair Graduate in reply to johnno117]

That’s brilliant. She did fantastically well and seems to be spurred on the achieve much more. She I’m sure has inspired many to start. It was a very positive and inspiring program.

Damien

[Vintage61 Graduate]

Just watched it and got very emotional. This is my goal, to be able to run 5k. Week 8 run 3 tomorrow at 5 am. Never believed in a million years this could be possible, this really is life changing for me. Thank all for you support and wise words.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Vintage61]

Well done you, especially getting up at 5am. Yes, it was emotional , I had tears in my eyes too. I would highly recommend parkrun.

[ChoosingHappy Graduate in reply to Vintage61]

That's my goal too, I'm only in week 3 but if I stay on track I'll finish the last weekend of Aug so my aim is to do my first park run on Sat 7th!

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to ChoosingHappy]

Be warned- Saturdays will never be the same again. 😂

[damienair Graduate]

It was great. If a 91 year old lady can run at parkrun anyone can. No excuses. I thought it was great that they mentioned several times that you can walk it all, walk run or run. It’s for everyone.

Damien

[Oldman51 Graduate in reply to damienair]

Is it not just a bit presumptious that those of us who do not wish to do parkrun have to make excuses to you and other enthusiasts for our decision. We are not children explaining why our homework was not in on time! I have not yet had the chance to watch the programme on iPlayer, and may well be back with more comment later.

[damienair Graduate in reply to Oldman51]

Hi. No one has to make any excuses at anytime whatsoever if they do not wish to ever take part in parkrun. All I was saying is that you don’t ever have to run at parkrun, you can walk it all. Members of my local community whom take part in my local parkrun each week come from all backgrounds, shapes and sizes and physical abilities. Some have special needs and one gentleman bravely tackles a pretty steep hill on the 3 lap course in his wheelchair. It’s all inclusive and it’s for everyone and it’s free. And I absolutely adore it and have made lovely friends as a result of taking part. It is the only reason I am still running after graduating from c25k two years ago and as a result I am 2.5 stone lighter, happier and healthier than I have been for 20 years.

But if you don’t ever want to do it then don’t. It’s no problem. Safe and happy running to you.👍

Damien

[Prettyrandom Graduate]

Great programme! I did my first park run last Saturday and what a good way to keep the running mojo after finishing couch to 5k

[damienair Graduate in reply to Prettyrandom]

I totally agree. I’m still running after 2 years since C25K. I would have given up long ago if not for parkrun.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to damienair]

I’ve done 46 now, so planning a fancy dress 50th 😁

[damienair Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Your 2 ahead of me. I’m on 44 runs and 13 Volunteer roles. I’m running my 45th at my NENDY on Saturday and the following week I’m Volunteering as barcode scanner.

Then it will be 5 Parkruns to 50. Aiming to have 50 in September. Looking forward to wearing the red t-shirt.

Damien

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to damienair]

What’s a NENDY?

[damienair Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Nearest Event Not Done Yet

Check out running-challenges.co.uk

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to damienair]

Ha ha. Have fun, yes we are doing the same this weekend.

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

Thank you Damian - I will have to try iPlayer also 🤗 x

[Granspeed Graduate]

Yes, saw this and really enjoyed it. Gave a flavour of C25k by following a couple of would-be runners too. But I agree that it was a shame they didn’t at least put the C25k reference up at the end. It’s such a good lead in - especially this support forum. Still, one thing at a time, I guess.... 👍💕

[Runner_and_rider Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

I completely agree with everyone who has said that C25K should have been given much more prominence. I feel that encouraging people to just turn up and run 5k is asking for lots of injuries and much disappointment. Just me being grumpy! Got to love Dame Kelly though - her enthusiasm for parkrun is brilliant.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Runner_and_rider]

Yes she’s a great ambassador for parkrun. I’d love to see her at ours, but we do get one of the para athletes.

[Oldman51 Graduate in reply to Runner_and_rider]

How right you are. Injury from parkrun is much commoner than some people think:

thetimes.co.uk/article/park...

thetimes.co.uk/article/park...

It appals me that some GPs are "prescribing" parkrun to completely untrained peolple - mainly it seems because they are parkrunners themselves. Just asking for trouble.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Just seen this Damien....waiting for it to cool a bit before my run...so watching it now!😁xx

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Get the tissues out bbr. 😢

[Oldman51 Graduate]

I've now had a chance to see the programme on iPlayer and dig a bit. When Dame Kelly and the cameras were at Strabane there were 190 participants. Last Saturday there were 79. Neither of the featured newbies have run again at Strabane. The large gentleman did one elsewhere: the young lady has not repeated parkrun. The whole Strabane event is atypical. Last Saturday only 24/79 ran <30mins. In my local parkrun the figure was 320/450 - and very few with times suggesting much walking. Potentially a nasty shock for those conned/bullied into participation.

I am full of admiration for committed participants. But it it is NOT for everybody.

[damienair Graduate in reply to Oldman51]

Absolutely agree. New events always get a large spike for the first few runs as committed park runners from other events go to inaugural’s as part of parkrun tourism. Then it settles down and will fluctuate. My local parkrun has between 80 to 140 people taking part every week. Lower numbers when there are other 5K or 10K events on over the weekend as all the club runners are taking part in those events. In January there is a spike for the first 2-3 weeks as all the new year resolutions are out trying to change their ways and get healthy. There were about 250 taking part each of those weeks at the start of January, then we never see about 100 of those people again and numbers come back to about 140 or so. But that’s perfectly normal. Par for the course.

It’s not for everyone, my wife doesn’t get it. And that’s perfectly fine too.

Damien

[Hidden in reply to Oldman51]

IT IS for everybody who wants to try it. I tried C25k and found it too hard. I went to parkrun and walk ran 5k in 47mins the first time and last time a 37 min after 23 runs and 4 volunteers. I practice in the week on the treadmill in my gym and have done a few other road runs, Saturday mornings are the high point of my week!!

[damienair Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Wow, well done, a 10 minute improvement is fantastic. Saturday morning is my favourite time of the week too.

Damien

[Oldman51 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your response, which is most interesting. Of course parkrun is available to everyone, but the very idea fills some of us with dread. I was simply replying to the original poster who suggested that we had to make excuses to him and other keen runners if we wished not to participate.

I am intrigued that you found C25K "too hard" yet you did a 5k parkrun in 47 minutes and now 37 minutes. As a C25K "graduate" I doubt that I could do it in under an hour - not that I'll ever do parkrun!