My first parkrun

[2718281]

I asked you last week if you thought it was a good idea to run my first parkrun at a new local parkrun... all of you were really supportive so thanks so much for encouraging, I did run today and it was great.

To be honest, I almost didn't do it. I woke up and my stomach was feeling weird, I thought I might be sick but then I decided maybe it was just the nerves and decided to go anyway. I was there early and all volunteers were busy and I didn't know what to do so I started overthinking, everyone looked so fit and well prepared... But I heard so many good stories about parkruns that I managed to convince myself to stay and try. I'm so glad I did that!

After the talk, I moved to the back of the queue, I didn't want to be on the way of faster runners and the lanes were quite small, so I thought it would be better to do so. Then we started and everyone in front of me disappeared!!! They started so fast, even the people walking were quite ahead of me! I started running (maybe more like jogging), check the pace on my garmin, took off my headphones and focus on running. I have to say it was also my first run off the treadmill. I did c25k on a treadmill and I have continued to run on one until now. I've read about the adaptation and people going to fast so I just wanted to keep a good and slow pace and make it to 5k without walking. I found a guy in front of me with the 100 parkrun t-shirt and start following. He was half walking half running, but on average he was just the right speed, so I kind of followed him for a while. The run is 2 laps and I passed him halfway (he was walking only now) so I found myself running alone... alone? no way, there were wonderful marshals all around the route, always encouraging, I don't know how they managed but they knew it was my first time and they always had the right words for me. I completed the first lap, still running and started believing I could make it. I thought I was going to be all sweaty and need water but turns out that the air outside really helps with that so I was actually feeling quite well. I managed to complete the last lap, only a 3-4 runners doubled me, so that felt pretty good, and I cross the finish line with such a smile on my face. After the run, I had to go back home because my family is visiting, but I managed to chat with a couple of runners, got a lot of good advice and maybe made some friends for next week!!

It has been a great experience so thanks to those who have shared before they experiences and those who encouraged me last week to go to my first parkrun, but especially thanks to all volunteers and organizers that make these events happen

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Awe I love this. Parkrun is fantastic! Well done 👍🏽

[Vintage61 Graduate]

Sounds like you were brilliant, well done! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[Sonia52 Graduate]

I was the same on my first parkrun today. Upset stomach first thing this morning but I put it down to nerves. But when i was there everyone was so friendly, lovely and so encouraging. I stuck to my W8R2 plan and as you did I started at the back so I wouldn’t get in anybody’s way. Felt the odd one out for not running straight off because i was sticking to my 5 minutes warm up walk. But then when i did my 28 minutes planned non stop run I was overtaking people and quite a few were stop starting with walks and runs while I kept on going... As for the praise i got afterwards for being a first time runner! It was even bigger than the buzz i got out of it, and the realisation that i could really do it!! Until next Saturdays run...

[Debston Graduate]

Brilliant stuff, well done on getting out there and giving it a go!

[Sunny1959 Graduate]

Well done.. and so good to hear about someone transitioning from treadmill to Road...you must be feeling wonderful! X

[Trixibelle154]

Brilliant!! It would have been so easy to have not done it. You have the running bug now x

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

Fantastic! Well done, you! 🎉🎉🎉

[damienair Graduate]

Fantastic post. Many congratulations on your first parkrun.