1st parkrun what a disaster

[Veganlynz]

Bottled it basically! I was so excited to try running outside after only having been on the treadmill. I saved my week 6 run3 for it thought I’ll do 5 mins walk then 25 mins running then the cool down 5 mins will hopefully see me to the 5k. Yeh right!! Soon as I saw all the other runners leg it off my anxiety kicked in when it was time to run I managed about a minute. Literally. In my favour I did walk it and finish even though I was lapped before I was even a third of the way in. Mostly in tears too. Had a tail walker with me trying to gee me on but I just wanted the ground to swallow me up! Ended on 53 minutes. Suppose I can’t get any slower

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You went but it didn't work out the way you'd hope it would . Don't worry continue with the plan and maybe when you're more confident you could try again or not. Just enjoy your running. Good luck 😊

[DrBunny]

Maybe your plan was too ambitious for a first timer? I ran my first Parkrun today as well, on a schedule I find myself most comfortable now (W5R1), and it went ok.

I did feel a little mortified with all the young pretenders whooshing past me!

I’d say, have another go but don’t be too hard on yourself!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

So sorry it did not work out as you planned. Firstly, if you are used to running on a treadmill, then I would maybe get used to just running outside first, as it is a very different experience and may take a few runs to adjust. Also, bear in mind that most folk completing Couch to 5k, will not actually be running the full 5k in 30 mins (should really be called Couch to 30 mins of running!).

However, don't let it put you off going again - maybe as you get nearer to the end of the programme or even once you've graduated and want to consolidate and extend your distance? Parkruns are very inclusive and friendly places generally speaking. Overcoming blips like this, bad runs, even injury, is part of the journey but we pick ourselves up. You went and you did it - there will be plenty of days and runs ahead where it all comes RIGHT and you come home buzzing! Keep the faith 👍🙂💪!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hey call that your practise run and feel proud you got to the end, our first full 5k was 52 minutes so about the same speed.

Do more practice runs outside it’s different to a treadmill, i don’t know for sure but i used to run 6 mph on a treadmill and run outside at a lot slower speed

Maybe leave park run for a few weeks while you get your confidence back and can run a steady 5 k however long it takes and please remember it’s not the speed it’s not even the time it’s 5k you covered so be bloody proud of yourself

[Hj27]

I did my first parkrun today too, felt anxious before but I think the most important thing to focus on is you did it!! Don’t worry about the others, they’ve all had to take it slow too at one point. I got lapped too but I just kept telling myself this is my journey, I doubt I’ll ever be as fast as the others but I did it and that’s what counts. Take some comfort in the fact that you are definitely not alone in this. Get your daps out again and have another go next week 😊

[tiggs1 Graduate]

Please don't let this dishearten you, I feel your pain as I suffer anxiety too and although today was my 3rd parkrun it was the first one I have been brave enough to go to alone. Well done on going, well done on starting and an even bigger well done for doing the whole thing.

You have done amazing and hopefully you will find it in you to go back again

[Veganlynz Graduate in reply to tiggs1]

Thanks so much! It’s awful isn’t it? One minute I think I’m running fine and the next I want to go and hide behind a tree! 🤣 can laugh now it’s over ha ha

[tiggs1 Graduate in reply to Veganlynz]

I am so glad you didn't give up and even more happy to see you can laugh about it now.... this morning I parked up and then had to leave the carpark to go warm up on my own as i couldn't stand the thought of people watching me. But the last 2 weeks i had someone come with me even though they just waited at the finish line, knowing they were there helped loads.

Each week I am going to try and do something new so I am volunteering next week so I can actually speak to people

Keep it up x

[lexi6 Graduate]

I think you’re awesome! Your first parkrun and you completed 5km How good is that? Next time you do that parkrun, bet you see PB next to your name. 🙂

[shrinkingjaz Graduate]

You completed the parkrun. Don't forget that part. No part of completing the run makes your a failure in any way, shape or form. Remember that

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You have just set a parkrun pb to chip away at.........no need for tears.

[Silkey]

Well done on doing your first parkrun! Running outside is so different from running on treadmill refs surface, gradients, climate and surroundings. Plus the amount of people can be quite daunting too.

Please don’t give up - parkruns can be very enjoyable! I usually run at the back to avoid all the runners in front of me. The trick is to find your own rhythm that you feel comfortable with. You can run and/or walk parkrun. No one will judge you about the speed you do. You set your first PB - why not set the goal to beat your current PB. I am certain the next parkrun will go better as you know what to expect. Maybe do some of the training outside instead of the treadmill, which will help building up your endurance. Looking forward to hear how you are getting on!!

[Vintage61 Graduate]

Well done for getting out there, I’ve done 3 and although I love the idea and people are friendly I do find it all a bit intimidating. One minute there’s a massive group in front of me and then it’s a case of .....where day all go to???? 🤪 Parkrun is great but it’s not the be all and end all. I love my solo runs best. My head, my space, my pace... it’s in my shirt n everythin! Enjoy your runs, they are precious x

[Fairy220480 Graduate]

Don’t be disappointed, you got out there and did it so feel proud 👍

[LeyaBlu3 Graduate]

Don’t be so hard on yourself you were brave to get out there and go for it. I did my couch to 5k all on a treadmill. outside takes adjusting it does feel a lot harder. It’s all progress no fails hun.

[Hidden]

You gave it a go and it didn't work out, but at least you tried.

I think you should be very proud of yourself.

You got a bit of experience so you might have a better idea about what to do to prefer you for the future runs if you do decide to try them.

Put it down as a learning curve.

😊

[K8nno Graduate]

Well done! I didn’t have the guts to try a parkrun until I’d graduated. You’ve now set yourself a parkrun time for you to beat. Give yourself a couple of weeks, try doing some more outdoor runs and I promise you, you’ll smash that time. You’re still a newbie, enjoy the journey and remember you’re still running circles around all those people on the couch.

[backintime Graduate]

Treadmill and outside are different. I did all of c25k on treadmill and then moved on to 10k still on treadmill. It took me about 2 weeks to adjust to outside and run the same distance outside as on treadmill.

What happened is a shame but in no way a disaster and, as you said, you did the whole thing. You did 5k today ! Maybe not the way you would have liked but you did it...you plucked up the courage and got out there. That is huge. Don't let it put you off. Let it spur you on. Have a wallow, then let it motivate you to get out there and practice with c25k until you can do it !

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Oh no poor you! If you were at mine you’d have finished way ahead of the last people! Don’t let it out you off - parkrun is amazing. Most people get lapped - no one judges. Now you know what to expect, you’ll probably enjoy it more next time. You did fabulously to finish! Be proud!

[Katnap Graduate]

Parkrun is inclusive. You could have walked the lot! Well done for getting out of bed and joining in.

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Runrabbit50 Graduate]

I treadmill run outside is so much harder no motorised help no air weather conditions speeds always even no bumps hills or dirt or rain

You tried so keep trying you will do this x

[Runrabbit50 Graduate]

Just do c25k outside now if out doors running’s your goal. I did my first try at c25k outside and was easier than starting in a treadmill and then trying c25k inside

I’m Week 9 run 2 on a treadmill after this it’s speed work to increase my fitness on a low incline

Then it’s outside c25k week 1 run 1

You can do this you keno you can x