First ParkRun tomorrow?!

[ItstheMarchHare]

I’ve made up my mind (and told everyone at work) that I’m doing my first Parkrun tomorrow. But now I’m dreading it! I’ll be the slowest and I’ll make the tailwalkers have to go really slow. Does anyone out there remember their first Parkrun?

[Ouchto5kmummy Graduate]

I actually think it’s better to go slow. I did my first one in Dec and ended up running with a very fast runner. Whilst I got a great time it knocked me. I felt like a bus had hit me for a week after and then Xmas got in the way so I’ve not run much since. I think just go and enjoy it first time, suss it all out. There will be lots more if you enjoy it.

[AnyUser Graduate]

Yes I do - it was last week. It was my graduation run and I hadn’t even run 5K yet so I was prepared to not even be able to run it all and finish last. If it had turned out like that, it wouldn’t have been a problem.

I bet if you could message that tail walker right now and tell them your worries, they would come straight back with welcomes and encouragement. They are not going to worry about your pace. They are going to congratulate you for taking part.

In fact, they’ll be totally behind you...

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to AnyUser]

Aww, thank you, and , thinking about it, I’m sure that is true 😊🐇🏃🏻‍♀️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Do not be afraid, you will enjoy your first 5k Parkrun, I am sure you will not be last, just run it slow and steady like you ran the longer runs of C25K, remember to take your barcode.

I remember my first parkrun, yes I was a little nervous, reminded me of the day I ran run 3 of week 5 of C25K but that nervousness soon went after the first time briefing, remember to go to that, good luck for your first parkrun, report pack here tomorrow after you have completed it.

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Omg, W5R3 terrified me too, and in the end it was the run I liked more than any other. Maybe Parkrun will be the same 😊. I will definitely report back 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

You will also love parkrun. 😊 🏃🏾

[Hidden]

Hiya 👋🏻 My first park run was Wednesday (just gone) and I was really nervous too! I honestly didn’t know what to expect. But it was absolutely brilliant! All the organisers and marshals were so helpful and well prepared for newbie questions. The Marshalls were especially enthusiastic and encouraging all the way around; it was fabulous! I’d highly recommend it. If you make sure you arrive early, I think they tend to do a first time runners talk at 8:50 and then a general information chat for everyone just before you start, so you’ll be fine. It’s an amazing thing to do. Enjoy the atmosphere and get ready to get addicted 😉 (I’m already doing run 2 tomorrow) 😀

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Addicted after one run, that does sound good! 😊

[Sar9 Graduate]

Firsts are always daunting. Don’t worry about being the slowest, I think this is a common worry amongst most people. Thing is, it doesn’t really matter, it’s the taking part and the achievement that matters. I bet just turning up and completing it will make you feel amazing, no matter what speed you do it. Good luck and enjoy!

[Granspeed Graduate]

Not to worry - just enjoy. I looked up times at our local Parkrun for last week (it’s quite flat) and they ranged from 18 minutes & a bit to nearly an hour. The point is to take part! And if you get a nice slow time, it will give you great chances to improve on it easily in weeks to come. 😄👍

[Sammie1968]

Good luck

[Drumandbass123 Graduate]

I did my first park run as week one of c25k! Didn’t realised it was timed !! All of third runs of each week from then on were park runs ! Good luck and I hope you enjoy it 💚

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Drumandbass123]

That was a great way to do it, well done for keeping up with it 😊

[Drumandbass123 Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

Ah thanks ! Everyone was really tolerant with my pace! 😀

[Mum22boys Graduate]

Hi, I've run 4 park runs now (no. 5 tomorrow) and although I've been really pleased with my times my biggest piece of advice is to start at the back and start slow! Once everyone's out of your way you can then happily run at your own pace. And most of all enjoy, it really is a fantastic start to a Saturday!

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Mum22boys]

That is great advice, I will definitively start at the back - and then stay there! I think taking part for the first time will be the biggest hurdle, plenty of time to improve timing after that 😊🐇🏃🏻‍♀️

[Mum22boys Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

I was pretty apprehensive as I was walking to my first one but by the time I'd been to the first timers briefing I just felt part of it. Like many things the thought of doing it is the worst bit. Have fun this morning

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Tail walkers don't care. That's why they choose that role. I did parkrun in week 1 and walked it all. Seriously, you're worrying about nothing. You'll love it. We have 3 women last every week who don't even attempt to walk fast. They take about an hour. No one cares. Enjoy

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

That is really good to hear, thank you.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

How was it?

[whibbles Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Couldn’t agree more with you about tail walkers. . i’ve been a tail walker several times and I am happy to be the last one home whatever the time - that is part of the ethos of the parkrun. Hope all the first timers enjoy the experience !

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏 The first two Park runs I did before C25k I fast walked & I was second last. The tail walker chatted away & made it fun & memorable! The first time I ran it I was still in the last section of runners but the marshals just cheered me on & encouraged me to keep going & finish. I have since run two personal best times but am still towards the back of the race. It doesn’t matter & it’s an opportunity to look out for others there who may be struggling with self confidence or needing someone to run with them. You are never alone that’s for sure! Go & enjoy 😊

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

That’s great Annieapple. I like the idea that I can be at the back and supporting other stragglers, or be at the back and making other stragglers feel good by them supporting me 😊

[CocoChannel]

Go out there and enjoy it tomorrow. That’s the whole point, and if you get a bad* time, you’ve got 50 more parkruns in 2020 to improve 😀

* No such thing as a bad time

I’ve done a few parkruns, and I always get there at the last minute. There are always various announcements about first timers, someone’s 100th parkrun or visitors from afar. I assume these people have told one of the volunteers beforehand. Get there early (not like I do) and tell them it’s your first time. You’ll get a special mention.

The only advice I’d give is to pace yourself as you’ll be disappointed if you have to slow down, walk or even stop, but even if that happens, you’ll know better next time and the next. Enjoy and remember to stretch after (no one seems to do this except me).

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to CocoChannel]

Thank you! I’m planning to walk/run/walk/run round and aim to build up to running all the way 🏃🏻‍♀️🐇

[Northpenninesjogger Graduate]

I did my first Park run last week. Very very slow. I apologised to the tailgater for bringing down their recorded average speed and she saud it was better to have slower averages as that means people wont be put off joining and it will stay an inclusive event and not a competition!

Now I have a goal to build up my speed in 2020

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Northpenninesjogger]

Oh that’s true, I definitely looked at the results to see how fast the slowest person was - and it was reassuring to see a couple around my speed 😊

[theoldfellow]

Well the one thing you can't be is last! That's the Tail Runners place booked in advance. Start slow, let the youngsters and heros all run away, and then settle into your happy pace. Someone will go past you with a pushchair, I believe this is because they have hidden motors, and then there are the 6-legged runners with dogs who pull them along! On top of that are the 6 year-old runners trying to get their inheritance early by killing their parent with their pace! (I am usually beaten by 6 year olds)

The best thing is the camaraderie, and it is that, not the personal best times, that will take you back week after week.

Have fun, that's what it's for.

[Kat332zz Graduate]

My first park run, I walked some of it and everyone was so encouraging, don’t feel pressurised into going too fast, enjoy.

[HuwC Graduate]

My first Parkrun was nearly a year ago. I’m always amazed at how friendly and supportive they are, and how I never fail to set off too fast...

[Scruffy2000]

My first park run was last week, my dad told me that people always walk it so I wouldn’t be last. However as the run started, everyone except my sister and I ran - we were on week 6, run 3 and did our warm up walk first. We were so far behind and laughing with the tail walker as no one else was walking. Once we started running, we caught up a bit. It was hard work but enjoyable, everyone is very supportive and doesn’t mind if you walk or are super slow! Enjoy!

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate]

I did it! When my alarm went off I was really tempted to stay in bed, but dragged myself out and got there. Event was really good, over 500 runners, so I just waited at the back until the coast was clear and started my slow pootle round.

I was definitely very near the back, but I never felt that was a problem, lots of marshalls cheering people on and lots of people still milling around by the park cafe even though I finished a good half an hour after many people.

The only downside is that it is 2-3 miles away and that walk home afterwards felt very long!

Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I be back again? Absolutely, I’m planning to do it all again in two weeks time 😊🐇🏃🏻‍♀️

[Chocs_away Graduate in reply to ItstheMarchHare]

Well done, that's awesome!

[Susiepaul Graduate]

How did it go? I did my first today, and wasn't last, so I'm well chuffed xx

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Susiepaul]

It went well, thank you! And congratulations on yours 😀

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Well done you. Once again I found myself running round my local nature reserve this morning at exactly the same time I could have been at my local parkrun. My latest excuse is to wait until the new year's crush has worn thin for everyone else 😔

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

That’s just as good! 😀🏃🏻‍♀️

[FatterPenguin Graduate]

Very well done! I volunteered at my Park run today for the first time and there were loads of non-runners taking part - lots of people walking. The tail walkers were very happy to walk slowly behind everyone. So never worry about holding people up, just go and enjoy it! 😊

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate in reply to FatterPenguin]

I said thank you to all the volunteers this morning, they must have been so cold by the end of it.