First Park Run!!!

[Trecha10]

Managed my first ever Park Run today! South Manchester and a lovely course in a park and all flat! 🙂🙂🙂

It was a bit disconcerting seeing so many runners at the start and so many running so fast! When I started I got worried as the ‘crowd’ was overtaking me. I felt I had to keep up and quickly started to feel tired. I then remembered someone else’s posting here about how they slowed down and just ignored all the other runners. I did the same and just focused on the coaching from Nike Run Club! At one point I thought I was last as there were no more runners around me! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣 Actually, I wasn’t!!!!

I nearly didn’t finish the run but then I just kept remembering all the coaching and advice and just focused on that!

I ended up running a 5K in 36 minutes with an average pace of 7.03! My best ever plus was second in my age category (Female 60-64)! Never expected that!

Once again I want to say a big thank you to this fantastic forum for all the amazing support and encouragement you have given! I never believed I could do it and yet here I am 🙂🙂🏃🏽‍♀️🙂🏃🏽‍♀️🙂🎉

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing your first parkrun and in a reasonable time of 36 minutes, well done, if you want to, transfer this report to Damienair's weekly Parkrun post.

[Trecha10 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Will done and thanks

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The first of many, I am sure.

Parkrun is such a wonderful, inclusive celebration of running for all.

Congratulations.

[GoGrandmaGo Graduate]

Well done such a good feeling . I’m in the next up age group to you .. I did 36:18 3rd in my age group 😂😂probably only 3 of us . It’s all mad 🤗I went on my own my running friend hadn’t registered yet so trying to get her to do it . But I was alright on my own people were friendly and supportive .

Looking forward to our next trot out 😁

[Happymel Graduate]

Thats amazing well done! South Manchester is my nearest park run too and have been trying to build up courage to do it...what tips would you give? I might even see you there!

[Trecha10 Graduate in reply to Happymel]

I didn’t go last week as I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it despite the fact that I have been doing my consolidation runs. So I would just go for it. There were some who were running and then walking. It’s whatever works for you.

I went to the Alexander Park run as Longford was flooded today so closed. The tip I would share is what I read on this forum - try and ignore the other runners and keep to your own pace. Remember all the fabulous coaching and have fun.

Happy running. Let us know when you do it

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

Super run!! Well done on not giving up, you showed great resilience and ended up with a really good time 👍👏👏👏

[Trecha10 Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you 🙂

[nowster Graduate]

Ah! "South Manchester parkrun" is Platt Fields. A bit fiddly to get to for me.

I did Sale Water Park last Saturday (very stony in places) and Chadderton Hall Park (four laps of hilly) this morning.

[Trecha10 Graduate in reply to nowster]

This South Manchester was Alexander Park 🙂 Very flat and a lovely atmosphere. No inclines at all. It’s two large laps and a smaller one.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Trecha10]

A colleague did that one last week and was recorded as doing it in double the time of his PB. He got a bit out of shape during lockdown. This week he did the Platt Fields (South Manchester) one.

[Mrsrun Graduate]

Wow you did fantastic on several levels. You made sure you did not get dragged into the I have to go fast and burn out and your time seems pretty fast to me . Here is to many more Park Runs for you.

[Rennur Graduate]

Impressive time. I'm a little envious. I did walksome stretches but got my PB of 42'23" (official time was 42'47" I was at the back at the start). A minute faster than my previous PB. I've been training to get to 10 miles so I tend to run very slowly. I need to find my pace for Parkrun as I felt as if I could have gone even faster. Having people to follow and catch up with is a real incentive. I would advise anyone nearing the end of C25K to give it a go. Just don't try to keep up with those whippets aiming to break 15 minutes ( or even 30 minutes for me!) A fantastic experience. I will do it again. Still, the biggest achievement for me was getting up early on a Saturday!

[pe_stopa]

Yes! Well done! Park run, that sounds like fun 😁🏃

[CressidaB Graduate]

Not only doing it, but doing incredibly well. Many congratulations 👏