First Park Run - Nervous Like A School Sports day! 😀

[Rayblade900]

I completed my first Park Run on 31st July. I was feeling a bit apprehensive as didn't know what to expect and didn't know anyone (as new to the area). It took me back to my school sports day 40+ yrs ago and the intrepidation of competing in front of the whole school!! There were approx 250 people taking part from all walks of life. I'm quite reserved so set off near the back as didn't want to make a fool of myself. I knew that there would be a mixture of abilities and expected to be overtaken. I set off slowly and then set into a comfortable pace. It was great to run a different route and running with others actually helped too and the support of the Park Run volunteers which if weren't for them the event couldn't take place. Feeling ok I started to pass a few people during the run and the finish line was in sight. My time was 28:04 which I was pleased with. Not bad for a mid 50's man who has only been running for 7 months.

Looking forward to the next chance I get to do it again. So would recommend it if you're thinking of doing one.

[Mrsrun Graduate]

That sounds really fast to me , well done. I look forward to doing a Park Run but I am only on W7! Enjoy your next Park Run.

[Rayblade900 in reply to Mrsrun]

Hi Mrsrun. I'm not sure if it is fast?? I guess for my age group it's OK 😀.Great you're on W7 and stick with it. A colleague from work said you will enjoy running and she was right. I found it really hard work, but now look forward to my next run.

[Mrsrun Graduate in reply to Rayblade900]

Thank you. Your colleague was right, I love running and I also look forward to my next run. Happy running.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

I’m glad you enjoyed it Rayblade900 - it can be addictive! And you’re quite right about the volunteers, they’re positively heroic ! I started my parkrun career as a volunteer before I’d even started doing C25K and did my graduation run in a 40mph gale at my local parkrun! I’ve done 16 parkruns but twice that number as a volunteer - I can thoroughly recommend it and you already know your fellow parkrunners will appreciate it! Your time of 28:04 was impressive for the first time out - definitely onwards and upwards from here I think! Well done you!

[Mbubbles Graduate]

Well done. As someone who still can’t run 5K in 30 minutes, your time sounds amazing!

[Rayblade900 in reply to Mbubbles]

Thanks Mbubbles. I absolutely hated cross country running at school as useless at long distance 😁!! All the best to you.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on that run and time, your parkrun age grading was probably +60% which is very good, well done 😀 🏃🏾

[Rayblade900 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you AlMorr, that's nice to know as I run on my own and no one to compare to in my age bracket and little running experience.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Rayblade900]

PS. I have just looked at the age grading of a parkrun yesterday, sorry, its a female of your age that is around 60% for that time you ran, for a man of your age and the time you ran it, your age grading is about 55%, which is about same as mine when I ran my first full 5k Parkrun in 34.16, however, I was in the 70/74 age grading group.

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Good for you and not so much of the old 😜

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Well done, I did my first one on Saturday too. Got quite carried away, totally forgot to run slowly and have been feeling the effects ever since!

[Rayblade900 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks Oldbadknees 😀I have a competitive nature too. I had to hold myself back from starting too fast as I knew I'd run out of steam! Started picking up the pace during the run.

It's described as not a race but took me right back to my school days! I knew I wouldn't be first, but wanted to see what I could achieve.

[Chesterlove Graduate in reply to Rayblade900]

I was planning on keeping the pace down but still found myself struggling over the last 2km. When I finished, I realised I’d got a PB. Not super fast (28:52) but obviously I was working harder hence the PB. I did hit the ‘anaerobic’ zone at the end which can’t be great 😬

[Scw787 Graduate]

Well done. I did my 3rd park run this week. Loved it !!

[Rayblade900 in reply to Scw787]

Thank you. I hope to do more when time allows. Like you, I enjoyed it.