Park Run

[adnewg73]

Hey everyone, so I know people walk, run, have dogs, pushchairs etc during a park run. Two questions :

1) Will it feel like an underachievement or disappointing if I have to walk for part of the way instead of running for the complete 5k. I run my final run of C25K tomorrow, so am running 30mins non-stop now (even though it's hard work in the wind) and actual running is about 4.50k, not 5k

2) Now the weather is starting to get colder in UK (I am quite slim, so feel the cold at the best of times), is it better to get a running hoodie or a running jacket and maybe gloves ?? I ran last night in my running leggings and a t-shirt and although I was fine while I was running, once I stopped to do my warm down walk, I did start getting a bit cold

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it. This is a great forum !!

[nowster Graduate]

1) Absolutely no stigma to walk part or all of parkrun. I have been doing them regularly for a couple of years now and will gladly drop to a walk if I'm finding the going too hard.

As you're doing 4.5km at the moment in 30 minutes, I'd suggest extending for the extra 3 minutes or so to run the whole of parkrun would be pretty safe a week or two after graduation. If it was something like 10 minutes or more, I'd be more cautious.

2) Similarly, I've been described as a "drink of water standing up". I feel the cold too. What's the trick? Layers!

Most parkruns have an area where you can stow equipment you're not going to run with, and for those which have courses with multiple laps the volunteers will happily store a hastily removed top for you if you hand it to them as you pass. You can then put the extra layers on when you've finished, so you don't get cold.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏 wow you are doing well and you don’t want to risk injury at this point by overdoing it. Many people walk parkrun in spite of its name so no problem there. You could start by doing a good warm up walk and then break into the run. Go at your usual pace. Don’t be tempted to go faster. Time for that after graduation.

I wear layers in cold weather. My jacket has pockets that I can stuff my gloves into. If I need to remove the jacket I tie it around my waist. Sometimes just unzipping it is enough. Depends on the temperature.

Hope it goes really well and you enjoy the whole experience! Let us know xx

[Bruch1 Graduate]

See my Love letter to parkrun post. You definitely won't feel like an under achiever if you have to walk. Everyone goes at their own pace and does their own thing. I'm often overtaken by children, pushchairs and dogs!!! One week I came in just ahead of the tail walkers 😂. It's the participation that counts and truly once you've done it you will get the bug, make new friends and Saturday mornings will never be the same!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You've had the tips...take the advice...gently does it...and, layers, layers, layers...I'm very slim too...a tad underweight right now,so I know what you mean..a cap..a warm beanie as it gets colder..a buff to stop draughts or drips...

And walk all the way if you need to...you will never be made to feel anything other than pride because you're out there, doing it!

[Martlet76]

Hi,

My suggestions

1. Parkruns are full of lots of kind and non'l-judgemental people. Don't lose one second of sleep over this. Just go for the pure enjoyment, you won't be disappointed.

2. Probably best to be too hot than chilled to the bone. It's only your first time , it doesn't matter if your preparation is not 100% spot on , you can alsmways refine it next time.

Enjoy ....

M76

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate]

It doesn't matter if you walk or run, it really is the taking part that counts. You can just run according to how you feel. The important thing, as has been said above, is not to overdo it at this early stage.

Cautionary tale, I got so carried away on my first Parkrun that I pulled a tendon and couldn't run for 6 weeks. Don't be like me!!

Have a look at the map of the course. As has been suggested, perhaps plan to do your warm up and cooldown walks from C25K as part of the run.

Be aware of your effort and pace. If you have a running watch monitor your heart rate and every time it shows you are heading towards the maximum effort have a walk until it comes down again. Otherwise just restrict yourself to maybe a 4/10 or 5/10 effort, no more this first time.

Above all try not to get competitive (my downfall lol).

It's good to have a purpose for every run. For a 'first' of any run the purpose is to get through it without injury. At the end of the run you'll have that sense of achievement no matter how long it takes. Then, as you consolidate and gain strength and technique you can decide on other goals.

Good luck and happy running

[Sparkey5000 Graduate]

You'll have a blast at parkrun - there is no judgment, genuinely. We have a great posse of people at my local one that walk the whole way - some that walk it quicker than I can run it in (that does feel hard though).

Layers are your friend as the weather gets cooler - you'll become a pro at removing a layer while running and then for a real gold badge you will be able to pass it nicely to a marshall with a smile on your face and a wee would you mind? I marshall a lot at PR and I never mind collecting a pile of tops.

Welcome to the magic way to start a Saturday that is Parkrun

[Bubulrap Graduate]

I don't know about anything else, but running 4.5k in 30 minutes is fantastic. You should be very proud of that.