Achieved my goal of a park run before Christmas - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Achieved my goal of a park run before Christmas

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate
โ€ข40 Replies

Having competed C25K 4 weeks ago I ran my first park run on Saturday. I'd run 5K 3 times since completing the programme averaging approx 38 minutes. My goal was to try and have a time starting with 37... so imagine my amazement when my time came through as 32.54 ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ For all those considering but not sure about park run I would thoroughly recommend giving it a go, amazing atmosphere and incredible sense of achievement.

This is my first post as with a just 3yr old and a 7 month old I don't have a huge amount of time on my hands but the last thing I do at night is read through the current posts and they've given me so much inspiration over the past 3-4 months, do thank you everyone. I've loved reading everyone's stories and watching people's progression; you're all so inspirational. Happy running everyone

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Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boys
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40 Replies
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Corarun profile image
CorarunGraduate

Wahey ๐ŸŽ‰ well done you! I did my first on Saturday - isnโ€™t it a brilliant feeling! Congrats fellow park runner ๐Ÿ˜

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Corarun

Ah well done to you too, yes amazing feeling! Although now I'm apprehensive about the next one!!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Congratulations on completing your first parkrun in a great time of 32.34, well done,

I thought for a second you were the mother of 22 boys, making you the person with the most amount of ๐Ÿง’ children here on C25K, ๐Ÿ˜Š No, mother to two boys, ๐Ÿ˜Š, once again congratulations on that first parkrun.

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to AlMorr

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ could you imagine... ๐Ÿคฏ

Jacca profile image
JaccaGraduate

Wow thatโ€™s a fab time for your first park run congratulations ๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿ˜Š

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Jacca

Thank you, I was in shock!!

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Brilliant time for your first parkrun. Congratulations ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Buddy34

Thank you, I managed to go without headphones so ran without any music so maybe being involved in everything that was going on was for the best!

JeffingSG profile image
JeffingSGGraduate

That's amazing. I've just finished week 7 this evening so have the 3 runs of 28 mins and 3 runs of 30 mins to do. I've done park run as part of my programme obviously with walk breaks still included but you've now inspired me as I am looking forward to a post-graduation park run aiming for a time of around 35 to 40 mins. Fab work. Keep on happy running x

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to JeffingSG

Only 2 weeks left for you, it's a strange feeling when you finish but I found it helped to have some structure to future runs. And obviously the goal of park run. Enjoy the next 2 weeks, it was in those 2 weeks of runs that I started to have that magical feeling of possibly being a runner!!

peaplodder profile image
peaplodder

Thats a fabulous time ! Welcome to parkrun, its addictive

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Well done on your first parkrun. warning โš ๏ธ it is addictive. I ran number 62 last weekend because I love doing this community run every Saturday.

It also gives you a chance to meet people in your own community.

Runningdumpling profile image
RunningdumplingGraduate

Well done on your new pb, fantastic

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate

Well done. Congratulations ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘.

I've been dithering with a parkrun, but you've inspired me.

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate in reply to Speedy60

Speedy, Parkrun shouldn't be "dithered". It is ultra friendly and no one finishes last except the "Tailwalker/runner" We are usually near the back at the moment, but it matters not. 5K is 5K no matter how long it takes. We always think that even if we take an hour (we take about 40 minutes) we are still ahead of millions of others who haven't even bothered. Find you local one and just do it.

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate in reply to Rumour

Thank you, you're right of course. I meant to go a couple of weeks ago and then didn't. But that same Saturday morning I was running round the local nature reserve on my own๐Ÿค”.

Time is short now before Christmas, but it's my new year's resolution.

There is one being started local to me in the spring. I've joined the Facebook group to help set it up, so I'll have to go then.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate in reply to Speedy60

Oooh, what area is that? We like to do "firsts" in Parkrun. We have just had our new local startup at Irchester Country Parkrun. Not the easiest of courses as there are hills and lots of corners, but we love it.

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate in reply to Rumour

Portishead, North Somerset. One started in the neighbouring Clevedon a couple of months ago. That's the one I meant to run in.

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Speedy60

Do it!! I really enjoyed it, looking forward to this Saturday ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ˜

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate

Parkrun is the most amazing thing! My best before the heart problems was 35 minutes. We are just trying to get back to it after about a year and have struggled. (I have a heart issue) But we will do C25K again starting in January and see where we get. We do Parkrun every Saturday locally, well more of a Parkwalk/run

Your time for a newly graduated person with masses on her plate (I remember kids! ;-) ) is fantastic. No matter what, keep up Parkrun. It will help ensure you are around for not just grandchildren, but great grandchildren.

SuzieMac profile image
SuzieMac

Well done you and donโ€™t forget the power of your own posts to us!! I am doing week 7Run1 after work today but Iโ€™m feeling low as I attended a close friendโ€™s funeral yesterday. Now that Iโ€™ve read your post I feel much more positive about running today. Thank you ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate in reply to SuzieMac

Sorry to hear about your friend. We have had my wife's sister leave us in March and her daughter in June, both of cancer. Running cleared our minds for a while and allowed us to think of them both in a different light, away from our sad surroundings. So dedicate W7R1 to your friend. Make it a good one and rejoice in the memories you have as you run. Oh, and it's OK to cry while you run. Hugs to you x

SuzieMac profile image
SuzieMac in reply to Rumour

Thank you so much for your lovely words. I appreciate it more than you know ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate in reply to SuzieMac

I ran, or I should say we ran the Parkrun again this week, felt better than last week. But before I ran, I silently said to myself. "This is for SuzieMac and her friend". Maybe he/she knew and made it easier for me? Whatever the reason, was thinking of you every time I came to a corner. We none of us know what we face as we go through life and I am hoping that round your next corner is something really nice.

Very happy Christmas to you and think back with a smile to your friend. Who knows, they may be smiling at you too. xxx

SuzieMac profile image
SuzieMac in reply to Rumour

I cannot put into words how much this has moved me. You are an angel. I was walking Bella, our Springer spaniel this afternoon and there were pockets of blue sky among the clouds. I tried to imagine that Elaine was one of those blue patches in the sky but had a very heavy heart. Reading these words from you has warmed my heart and made me feel valued and heard. My daughters are both home for Christmas and there is much love and laughter in the house right now. If you were close enough I would hug you but I can only wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and a bright and positive New Year. Thanks again for your wonderful post xxxxx

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate in reply to SuzieMac

You will have our running family thoughts as we raise a glass to Elaine on Christmas day. xxxx

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to SuzieMac

My eldest son's godmother's husband died 4 days after my youngest was born this May. I was bridesmaid for them many years ago aged 9. It's so tough but take your friends memory out with you when you run, and have some mental downtime when you can just remember x

Rowers profile image
RowersGraduate

Great post and great time! And great to do.something for you - brilliant all round!

Ouchto5kmummy profile image
Ouchto5kmummyGraduate

Thatโ€™s amazing. What a time! I graduated a few weeks ago and have done a few consolidation runs. Got my first park run a week on sat, Iโ€™ve also got a nearly four year old boy and a 11 months old boy. 22 boys - imagine ๐Ÿ˜‚

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Ouchto5kmummy

I know ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ Good look a week on Saturday, you'll love it ๐Ÿ˜

Sybilw profile image
SybilwGraduate

Wow - congratulations on that time! Itโ€™s true that others tend to drag you along at a different pace. Sometime I start too fast and run out of steam so just beware. Great run.

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Sybilw

I was very much the slow plodder at the beginning... I can't run any other way!! But I seem to be able to build in strength and speed as the race goes on.. until about the last 500m ๐Ÿ˜‚ but thank you for the word of warning!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Fantastic, 32 MINUTES??!!! That is a dream to me!!! I have three children older than yours so I know how little time you have so congratulations for that too!!! Reading posts on here is certainly motivational and has inspirational people by the bucket load x

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate

Fantastic time. I hope you can attend parkrun regularly. I kno it's not easy when you have little children...

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Elisabeth3

Thanks Elisabeth3, and yes I've done my second, a few seconds slower but there were sideways hailstones!! I'm hoping unless we have plans to go each week...

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate in reply to Mum22boys

Oh, that's great. Good luck.

Leosmit profile image
LeosmitGraduate

That is a fantastic post! Thank you for sharing. Iโ€™ve done three consolidation runs and managed the 5k including the 10 min walk in the 40 mins. Iโ€™m not confident enough yet to do a Parkrun but I would really love to so your post has been great! And a great time! I wanted to do this for the same reasons as you - Iโ€™ve three children, little time and I thought running would be a cheap and flexible exercuse!

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate in reply to Leosmit

Huge congratulations on graduating and starting the consolidation runs, it is strange when you have to start creating your own structure. I was pretty apprehensive as I walked to my first park run but people were just lovely. Now I just think how peaceful it is and how lovely to be up and about when not many other people are.

I just love the mental break it gives me I feel so much stronger in all ways since starting the programme. Keep up the good work and look forward to hearing how you're consolidation runs are going

Leosmit profile image
LeosmitGraduate in reply to Mum22boys

Iโ€™m officially in a bad mood tonight - couldnโ€™t get out with hubbyโ€™s work, wanted to do run 4. Didnโ€™t happen. Very frustrating when youโ€™ve built up the mental effort!!

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate

I had this yesterday so totally get how you feel. I don't know if you're doing the 30 day yoga challenge or interested in it but I did the next session of that last night instead to give me something to focus that mental effort on. I managed to get out tonight... thanks to a little push from Oldfloss. When do you plan to do your next run?

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