Hi all,
I'm a big fan of Parkrun, especially for novice, first time runners. Below is a link to a story of two people starting their running journey with Parkrun.
If you want to move on from treadmill running, or want a fun based celebration of your new running skills Parkrun may just be for you.
I really want to do a park run but am having trouble with my tendon again so can't risk it atm. Seeing someone about it tomorrow. I have been running but haven't managed to work myself up to the 5k again yet. Don't want to cause more damage - like you, I need to be patient!
Hi 59er, quite right to take it steady. Having had an operation that didn't go to plan I've had a forced layoff, 'No pain, No pain' advice from Tim had never been more appropriate! I had my first 'proper' but slow run today and I realise that I need to step right back to late C25K runs to get back to the level before the op. Very frustrating but today was just one of those days and to run or walk for a minute would have been a joy. You can hopefully still manage the Keep Smiling advice.
I was told last night that I need to wear my orthotics 80% of the time and carry on with the exercises. It's like every injury. When the hurting stops you 'forget' to do the exercises. So, orthotics all day today and exercises start again every other day with a vengeance. If I don't, I'm told, my condition will grow more serious and I'll become one of those old women who can't walk anywhere. No fear! I need to take it slowly but fortunately the verdict did not include the words 'no running' 🙂
I read that post about parkrun Chinkoflight, excellent article, I am also like you a big fan of parkrun although I might not be going as often during the winter months.
I really enjoyed reading that, thank you.
Nice story 😁👍
I too am a huge fan of parkrun, my only regret is not going along sooner, I thought you HAD to run 5k and be quick about it, how wrong was I….
Personally, I like a ‘parkchat’ ….going round at whatever pace suits on the day, walk, skip, run and having a chat with others, such a good start to the day…
There are no pre requisites, all parkrun asks if you is to go along and join in, in whatever way you wish….I’ve even seen hula hoopers! Creating a regular habit of a bit of moving about in the fresh air, how good is that? And it’s free…..reliant on volunteers of course……and that’s an option if you’re unsure about actually doing the parkrun, you can volunteer - I can guarantee whatever you choose you will be warmly welcomed.
Parkrun, best invention ever
Thanks for posting 👍
Mx
That's a really helpful article Chinkoflight since it points out that it's not compulsory to run all of a parkrun.
Definitely not for me though, which just as well as it's a seven hour return drive to my nearest one!
Blimey, and I thought my nearest one was far enough away at 22 miles/about 40 minutes drive 😮
I live at 680m in a very rural part of France, so I have a different perspective on distance (and, notoriously, hills!) from that of most people on these forums Over60sRunner !
Not many in France full stop at the moment and it's a big country. Love France, had a villa on the Canal du Midi/Minervois for 16 years but the 90l180 day post madness etranger rule didn't suit and we didn't want to relocate so sadly sold up.
I would love to do more Park Runs, but sadly my nearest one is a 22 mile drive away 😔
That's a shame, is there scope to set up one local to you, would there be demand? While my local PR has up to 200 participants there are some with 50 or so. I run occasionally on the IoW where I hope to relocate. There is only one PR on the Island so most people would have a journey (24ml round trip for me) . When I relocate I will look to see if I can set one up locally.
We don't even have a park you could hold one in within several miles in any direction and I don't really know of any other runners in this area either, but then I'm a lone wolf, so I wouldn't.
I am honestly very, VERY, rural!
Well you have other benefits, hopefully the footpaths stay clear! Keep running, keep smiling!
It is the most lovely place to live, so the fact that I don't have a ParkRun nearby is a small price to pay 
They don't have to be in parks as such.
The one in Alnwick (which I missed out on due to which days I was travelling) is literally a couple of laps of a large field. There are others which are laps of a school's sports field (eg. North Walsham, Norfolk).
Newborough Forest is a single lap of tracks within a large forestry area. Hafan Pwllheli is a run up and down a beach (not as easy as it sounds).
All that's needed is a core group of volunteers and the permission of the landowner.
I'm lucky in that my local one, in a park, is just under 10 minutes drive away (which is very useful if I oversleep).
All the fields round these parts are full of sheep!
Volunteers might be problem too - I've been struggling for the past 2 years to get enough people together on a regular basis to litter pick the local lanes that are full of rubbish chucked out of the windows of cars 
TBH, I'm happy to carry on being a lone runner and, still working full time at 63 years old, means I have little time or energy to try and organise anything in my local area anyway.
You shouldn't feel you have to justify yourself Over60sRunner , though I can empathise with why you do.
While I'm very happy for others to enjoy parkrun, it's just not my idea of fun. Distance isn't the only reason why I don't do parkrun, there are many others. So there is no chance whatsoever I'd ever set one up, even if I had plenty of free time, which I don't.
Keep running your way!
Thank you. Much appreciated 🙏
Well as you said, you would like to do more PR's if you could but for you, geography is the issue. But one of the beauties of PR, you can often find a local one on your travels! At my last PR volunteer two couples had met up by chance in the local Travelodge as they were PR tourists! First timers at Sixfields. They use PR as a prompt to explore the UK. Now isn't that a brilliant idea too, especially as accommodation is cheap through the winter. Some like to collect venues of the alphabet others try first to get the PR letters! Although as Cmoi said, there aren't too many at 680m in the remote parts of France, the urban areas do have PR's and they can become part of a city break almost anywhere. As ever, nothing is compulsory, just a suggestion which some have found useful.
I too love Parkrun and only wish I’d started it sooner! It’s a great reason to be up and out on a Saturday.
How important are the rest days?
How many rest days do you take? 
Is a rest day important?
