Parkrun fear conquered

[Swirls]

Finally found a weekend where I had run out of excuses not to do my first Parkrun. I graduated a couple of weeks ago and have managed a few consolidation runs, including increasing my time to 35 minutes but Parkrun was always the goal.

I went to the one at Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline and was a little alarmed at the number of times the word ‘hill’ was mentioned in the briefing! Hills are my nemesis...

I used my music to stick to my own pace and avoid getting caught up in the mad dash at the start. The volunteers round the course were great, so encouraging and it was lovely to see the number of runners who stuck around at the end to cheer us slower finishers over the line.

I was slow and had been expecting to be around 45 mins due to those pesky hills, but managed 39.18 and didn’t walk at all - so happy! 😁

If you are nervous about trying Parkrun like I was, don’t be, they make it so easy for you. And the sense of achievement is huge. Best graduation celebration for C25K!

Karen

[damienair Graduate]

Congratulations and very well done to you for your first parkrun. It’s a great way to kick off the weekend.

Damien

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations to you Swirls for completing your first 5k Parkrun at Dunfermline, that is my home parkrun, I have ran in Pittencrieff Park 5 of the 6 parkruns that I have ran, thus Saturday I will be running my sixth parkrun there, yes, I know that hill only too well, it's nice that you kept on running up it, after that long slow down hill bit of the course you turn sharp left and the runners have this short but steep hill to run up, I have seen more walking on that part of the course than any other part, excellent sub 40 minute time.

Onwards and upwards to parkrun No 2 at Dunfermline, perhaps this Saturday. 😊 🏃

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Great news - well done you and such a lovely park to run round. I have a number of relatives in Dunfermline so may try that run one day when I get to your stage.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Excellent & encouraging for those of us still to give a try!

[wappingdave Graduate]

Well done Karen. I did mine three weeks ago but got an injury on those hills. Learnt my lesson three weeks later and the calf is better and ready to go out again. My advice for future new to hill runners is warm up well and watch those pesky hills.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Glad you enjoyed your first parkrun. Here's to many more. Well done you 😊