First ParkRun but only on W5: Hello What advice... - Couch to 5K

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First ParkRun but only on W5

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate
18 Replies

Hello

What advice can you give me for my first Parkrun? Do I just run a bit and walk a bit, doing what I can? My partner fancies it and we both saw a clip on Freesports that made us want to try it. He hasn't run for years so we would probably walk a fair bit.

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angie31964 profile image
angie31964
Graduate
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18 Replies
Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

You could do park run as long as you still follow instructions on whatever run you are on. Good luck 😊

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toBuddy34

Are there different courses?

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

No harm on running run 3 of week 5 on your first parkrun, however, unless you can run the whole run in 20 minutes which is highly unlikely as you are new to running you will have to walk part of it after the first 20 minutes, after 20 minutes of running, have at least 3 minutes of walking, after that you could run/walk the rest of the course.

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toAlMorr

Thank you. I definitely can't run 20mins lol. I am looking forward to it. I think 3 to 5 mins walking will definitely be on the cards in between a bit of jogging.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply toangie31964

👍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Just run for the time allotted in your run.... then walk the rest...Plenty of time for running for 30 minutes in Week 9... and you don't want an injury this early on:)

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toOldfloss

Ok. Thank you OF. I will just follow Michael Johnson then and my partner can follow me. I reckon he will walk faster than I run 😩🏃‍♀️😂

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

When your parkrun starts, begin your warmup walk. All the fast runners will shoot off and get out of your way. After the 5minutes warm up, your running will start and just do W5 exactly as the app/podcast tells you. When you get to the cool down walk, simply keep walking until you can see the finish line. By then you’ll have enough energy to run up to and across the line. Finishers will be there to applaud you.

Check if the parkrun route has multiple laps. If so, try and stay out of the way of faster runners. There will be a newcomers’ briefing at 8:50 am and you can ask about overtaking policy at that course.

parkrun is very inclusive and open to folks of all abilities. That said, the marshall and timekeepers are all volunteering their time. So try not to stop and pick blackberries (or queue for an ice cream) before ambling around the course. Strolling into the finish funnel at 10:30 am is not going to make you popular.

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toMarkyD

Thank you. I did read a thread about people doing that. There are three laps as I understand it. Thank you for your advice. I will definitely not be charging into it, so the brisk walk to start with is great advice.

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate

Hi do it! Start it with the 5 or more warm up as the C25k app and then do your session as normal. Then walk the 5’ warm down. Then check how far you got and the it’s up to you. In week 7 I run 2’ and walk 2 or similar until the end but of course you can also walk all the rest. Dont worry aboht your time, what’s sure is that you’ll improve each week!

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toCouchpotato2

Thank you. I am definitely not worried about time 😬 I just want to finish before lunchtime lol. I have walked 5k in under an hour so will be interesting to see how I do. I love the fact you get your time at the end! If there are laps, how do they know you did all the laps, or doesn't it really matter because it isn't a competition?

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate in reply toangie31964

Interesting I’ve only done it on a 2 Lab course and it’s pretty obvious when you get overtaken which group you are in 😂 I would say as you are quite early on that would be better for you to walk at the end and also you could increase your walk time at the start. Some people walk it all And they are still faster than my running!

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toCouchpotato2

Aww! The one I am going to has three laps so I just wondered since the website shares the names of those who have broken the best time. Hard to keep track I would have thought!

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate in reply toangie31964

I think they log everyone generally, as long as you know that’s all that matters. Take a couple of barcodes with you as they can disintegrate!

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toCouchpotato2

Good advice. Thank you. It is forecast for thunder and downpours! 😩

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate

Interesting I’ve only done it on a 2 Lab course and it’s pretty obvious when you get overtaken which group you are in 😂 I would say as you are quite early on that would be better for you to walk at the end and also you could increase your walk time at the start. Some people walk it all And they are still faster than my running!

Purplespells profile image
Purplespells

Hi, I did my first park run on week 5 a couple of weeks ago.

My local park run has a few hills which I struggled a bit with... and had to walk anyway but it was good for the experience.

A few people at my local park run (Falkirk) walk it so even by doing short bursts of running I wasn’t last !!(tho they have people walking the course at the rear to make sure everyone is accounted for)

I loved it and am going back this Saturday to see if I can beat my time.

Go for it! Everyone is really supportive and they all had to start somewhere.. 😁

angie31964 profile image
angie31964Graduate in reply toPurplespells

Excellent. Thank you! I can't wait. I just hope it doesn't pour because it won't be quite so special then!

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