Today, wearing my new and improved footwear, I ventured into my first Parkrun. Having not run for over a week, and never in my new trainers, I was feeling very nervous. However, there were lots of lovely, supportive people there that helped with the nerves! My major worry of 'Please don't let me be last!' was causing me to waste energy I clearly couldn't afford to, so I decided that if my goal was to be last, and not be too self conscious, I couldn't fail. When everyone started running at the beginning of the run, I managed to keep my nerve, and started with the usual brisk walk. I managed that for around 4 mins until the tiny outlines of my fellow runners started a bit of a panic, I decided it was time to get running!
As I gently jogged along, I tried to take in my beautiful beachfront surroundings instead of just focusing on the running. I also did a bit of 'runner watching' as the super speedees came towards me on their homestretch. There were all sorts of gaits, and sizes and ages and various shades of beetroot, but lots of them smiled and urged me on as they went past. It's surprising how far 5k is when the most you usually manage is 3!
In all, I completed the Parkrun in 50:14 and out of 280 people I was 276. It was then pointed out to me that that was in fact my personal best. So in a months time, I'm returning to Parkrun in attempt to beat my pb. And another running goal - 'Take part in a Parkrun' has now been achieved
Written by
Onewomanscrusade
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Thanks GoGo. I got a refund for the trainers, minus the charge for gait analysis, which I didn't mind as I learnt a lot from it. I ended up with a pair of New Balance 680 (or something) which were significantly cheaper than my original purchase. Armed with knowledge (and a lack of any choice in the 'posh' shops and dedicated outlets) I ended up in sports direct, tried on about 10 pairs of trainers, and went for the best for me. What I learned from the gait analysis, shopping round and some research led me to ask better questions. And my trainers today were a dream, comfortable and supportive, so I don't think I've gone too far wrong
Brilliant OWC, I'm glad you had a better experience than I did, and very good point about the PB! I didn't think of that! I'm planning to return for my revenge run when I can run closer to 5k, whenever that may be!👍
The way you are zipping around CH, you'll be doing it in no time at all. A runner at the Parkrun said about the PB to me, as I sat on a bench downing water lol
Loved your post Onewoman - it could have been written by me! I’ve only done 4 Parkruns so far, one as a tail walker. The rest were run/walks where I was right at the back watching everyone else disappearing ahead of me - until they whizz past me on their way back and I’m still miles from the halfway point! My PB is around 52 minutes. But I’m never last as the Tailwalkers are behind me and in any case someone has to be don’t they and it may as well be me! I don’t care, I enjoy the whole idea of Parkrun even though I normally run on my own. I’m working towards being able to run a whole 5k then I’ll work on doing it faster (my walking speed is still better than my running speed!). Good luck with your next Parkrun!
Haha thanks Oldgirlruns! Well done on the 4 Parkruns. It's no mean feat when people whizz past in the opposite direction. And the finish line seems sooo far away lol. My walking speed is faster than my running speed too - it always makes me chuckle when I hear |
That's brilliant my first parkrun 10 months ago I managed in 51 minutes and the only person behind me was the tail walker who had cheered me on every step of the way. The parkrun community are the greatest, they will cheer your achievements and give you a lift when you need it
I have now done 21 parkruns and my time this weekend was 43:05, which I am thrilled with. I am usually a little ahead of the tail walker these days. I am now aiming for the sub 40. Enjoy each milestone and then set yourself a new target, I find that is the easiest way to keep going. I am also hooked on parkrun, I only run every other week and I volunteer the weeks I don't run, so I am always there.
Wow well done Larrykat! That’s a huge achievement! It is actually quite good to know my time as I’ll keep looking to reduce it like you’ve suggested. I’m also planning on my runs being a time to enjoy my surroundings, meeting new people and being part of something, so there’s plenty to look forward to 😁
I can imagine it would be nerve wracking if you're the only one doing a walking warm up and everyone else jogs off, good on ya doing the sensible thing regardless 😊
Thanks Run46. I did think 'why isn't everyone warming up with a brisk walk?' lol. Once I had decided that it would be ok to be last, the pressure was a lot less. At times, I worried that the volunteers would have gone home, but as I got to the last couple of hundred metres, one of the stewards was jumping up and down waving her hands and cheering me on, so that helped
Congulations on completing the run. Keep going whenever you are free. Its good to participate. Your time doesn't matter. What matters is that you are taking exercise and keeping healthy
Well done Onewomanscrusade , I’ve started to enjoy park run too, and stopped comparing myself to others which I found a bit soul destroying...but I’m over that now...I like the fact that people are so encouraging, everyone’s there for their own run and the marshalls continually cheer and spur on the ones at the front as well as those at the back. My parkrun was cancelled on sat because of the torrential rain and I have to say I missed it! The more you go, the better you’ll get...and to say that’s the first time you’ve run 5k that’s a very very respectable time! 3 cheers for park run...hip hip hurray, hip hip, hurray, hip hip hurray! 😉
Thanks Mummycav 😁. Well done for keeping going on parkrun. I’ll be back again at the end of the month so my time will hopefully have improved a bit 🤞🏻😊
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Another great Winter run.
Another practice run, with a twist!
No-goal running
Achieved my goal of a park run before Christmas 
Think this running malarkey is paying off!!
