Park Run trepidation

[Pinknfluffylady]

I’m on W8R3 and have registered with Park Run but I’m too scared to actually go along for the first time in case I can’t keep up or I come last, has anyone been in the same position as me and can offer words of encouragement?

[LeeU Graduate]

I think everyone who signs up for it feels that way sooner or later, running isn't a thing where ANYONE knows what will actually happen on the day, you may have a horrible run but then again you could have an absolute smashing run and do better than you ever thought you would.

Only one way to find out... good luck.

[Comfortnotspeed]

I’ve registered and it should have been hubby and me. He is injured so now it’s... me😕 I feel just the same. Very nervous. I was hoping to do this for graduation run.

But, I’m sure everyone has a first time running and people are nice. So come on let’s do this. Tuck in at the back, head up and go!

[Hatman Graduate]

You will not be last! You can do it PNFL. You have been running for thirty minutes or so? a few more minutes could be done surely? If necessary.

Did you not see the ParkRun tv prog recently with Dame Kelly Holmes? All those happy cheerful helpers weren’t specially brought in for the tv prog. They volunteer to turn out each week to make sure that folks like you enjoy their run. Run! not race! You will not be last. There is a volunteer “last” person each week, walking at the very back.

March in with your best smile and a water bottle. You will find loads of happy folk milling around. Ten minutes or so before the start, there is a briefing. All your questions will have answers there.

If you think you will be slowish, join in at the back, give the fast ones a wide berth. Stay to the side while you are “lapped”. I certainly was, by many people.

All the marshals, as you pass, cheer and clap as if you were first.

I finally finished after 46 minutes, to applause and cheers! As did the few behind me. Then go and have coffee with your new buddies, and arrange next times ParkRun. You will enjoy it. Good Luck.

[Pinknfluffylady Graduate in reply to Hatman]

Thank you for your answer, I get so anxious about new situations. Sorry to be obtuse but what is PNFL?

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Pinknfluffylady]

I thought I put PnFL. Pink n Fluffy Lady. Sorry to be personal.

Soon to be RnSL. As in Red and glowing.

You are going to enjoy Saturday morning aren’t you?

Lots of new memories, new faces to smile at. The odd wave or two.

You will wave and smile, won’t you? Before the run at least.

You will enjoy it. You will cheer and clap as those who finish after you finally get to the end. Won’t you?

Run all the way.Great!

Jog all the way. Great!

Bit of each. Great!

Walk all the way. Great!

Don’t finish? Fine! but you have to deal with the voice in your head afterwards. Besides, you are better than that aren’t you?

Determined! Just that little bit further.

You are the only one worrying about this.

Before the start, find an empty space. Sit on the grass with a downward gaze.

Breath in slowly, but deeply, pull your tummy in.

Then push your tum out as far as you can. as you slowly breathe out.

As you next breathe in, say in your head “I CAN!”

as you breathe out - say “DO THIS!”

Breathe and say this several times to yourself. Get up gently and shake your arms and roll your head gently round on your neck.

Now go do your best Girl!

If it gets tough. Say it in your head. A word to each step.

I 🦶🏻Can🦶🏻Do 🦶🏻This🦶🏻P🦶🏻n🦶🏻F🦶🏻L🦶🏻I 🦶🏻Can 🦶🏻Do 🦶🏻This.......

Have a really great good time. At 10 o’clock you will look back and say “why did I worry about that? That was great.! I’ll book for next week while I am here, before I go for coffee with that lovely group of girls I just ran with”. You will. Won’t you?

[Pinknfluffylady Graduate in reply to Hatman]

Lol pinknfluffylady 😃 I thought it was a secret running acronym 🏃‍♀️

I will definitely try all of the tips you have so kindly given me. I will attend as I really love running and would like to meet likeminded people as all of my friends and family think I’m nuts 🥜

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Pinknfluffylady]

Have a really great run or walk. It doesn’t matter. Do your best. Do not forget your barcode! And water! Take care and enjoy it. Your C25K running buddies all hope that you have a really great time.

Keen to hear how you get on.

[Tazzy_wazzy Graduate]

Go with the flow. It doesn’t matter if you come last, it’s a bit of fun. There will be people there who walk the course.

You’ve got this far so kick your fear into touch and kick that 5k’s bottom xx

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Go for it P! PR is a community run, not a race (although there’s no denying there is an element of competitiveness by some!). You can’t be last - there’ll always be a tail walker behind you and it really doesn’t matter anyway, someone has to be at the back don’t they! You’ll be made welcome and I’m sure there’ll be others who are on their first time as well! Deep breath and go for it! Enjoy!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

People walk it! It’s full of amazingly supportive people. Be brave. You’ll love it! I walked my first one 👍🏽 once you’ve been, you’ll be so annoyed you didn’t go sooner!

[missanticrowd Graduate]

I feel the exact same way, planning to drag myself there on Saturday anyway!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to missanticrowd]

Drag yourself, Miss? Please look forward to having some fun and enjoying a run. A run, not a race! If it wasn’t fun, no one would go would they?

You can run for at least thirty minutes. You have done that loads of times. It may take a few minutes longer. But you could do that. Couldn’t you? One way to avoid the crowd is to be way out in the front. But leave that for a week or two perhaps? Your VRB’s, virtual running buddies, US!, we will be beside you all the way. Go and have fun!

They’ll have a job dragging you away!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to missanticrowd]

Have a really great run or walk. It doesn’t matter. Do your best. Do not forget your barcode! And water! Take care and enjoy it. Your C25K running buddies all hope that you have a really great time.

Keen to hear how you get on.

[Natman80 Graduate]

Signed up last month but not managed it along for a variety of reasons and the fear is still lingering- so totally understand how you feel. Know its daft but it can be intimidating being around other runners especially when you're new to it. Some great tips here and sounds like there'll be plenty encouragement and others in the same boat so makes sense just going for it. Good luck and let us know how you get on 😊

[Pinknfluffylady Graduate in reply to Natman80]

Will do, I’m going to hopefully graduate C25k next week and will finish the week with the first park run 🏃‍♀️

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Pinknfluffylady]

Positive attitude! Great stuff PnFL. OF COURSE YOU WILL!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Pinknfluffylady]

That triangle on your avatar pic. Is that WonderWomans Tiara?

Are you her? Today you could be!

[Equi-geek Graduate]

Power walked my first one in 47mins in June last year. I ran it in 32min in March just before I got injured. I then accompanied a friend to walk just one lap for a couple of weeks (obviously didn’t cross the finish) and coached her round when she finally walked the whole 5k, in 1hr15min, and we both felt amazing! Parkrun is one of two things that keep me running. The other is Good Gym and I would never have met such brilliantly positive people had I not gone to Parkrun. So do it, enjoy yourself and do a 5k your way!

[Rhodalewis Graduate]

Go for it. ..you will love it I'm sure...as long as you like the idea of running with others....some people don't and I have heard them say they hate parkrun.

For me Parkrun has been instrumental in my running. ..along with this forum. I started my running journey 2 years ago at parkrun...my sister is a runner and had talked often and passionately about parkrun. So 2 years ago she dragged us to one of her local parkruns at Stretford. I managed to get round...a mix of running and walking but my sense of elation was huge and I loved the buzz and the atmosphere. The shock was in the fact how much my legs ached..I couldn't walk for 3 days!! So my journey to c25k began and with the support of this forum I stuck to it. I started at my local parkrun towards the end of my c25k programme ... I remember doing my 5 minute warm up walk at the beginning and then running... I felt really anxious about this ..but it was fine. There are all sorts of runners and walkers at parkrun..all on their own special journeys. 2 years on my running has improved beyond recognition. .I joined a very small running Gang and am now training for my first half marathon...and I always said I would never run more than 10k😃😃 ..but parkrun is still my love. You soon get to know people and after a while you wonder why you ever felt anxious. But we all do.. check your local parkrun page for details of parking etc if you're not familiar with it... plus if you've got any questions ask them on your local Facebook page...you'll always get an answer.

I couldn't imagine not having parkrun in my life. ..I even volunteer at our local junior parkrun. And next weekend I'm returning to my original parkrun. ..in my flashier trainers (I first ran in 30 year old trainers 😂😂)...and a little bit quicker...and in my 50 Parkrun tshirt which was one of my running goals when I first started.

So go...enjoy...and catch that parkrun bug. 🏃😊🏃😊

[WC8334 Graduate]

I certainly felt the same way before my first one

However, when I got there (I run at Tredegar House parkrun in Newport) I was made most welcome

Also found that I did much better than I expected as I was swept along with the crowd