First Parkrun

[Madwife60]

it’s taken 2 years but I finally got myself together to attempt my first Parkrun. Chose a beautiful sunny morning with no wind but very slippery and muddy in parts which slowed me up a bit. I staggered round in 43 minutes and finished upright which was a bonus. Might take a dog next time so I can keep stopping for wee breaks and to pick up poo🤣

[Tasha99 Graduate]

brilliant! I love parkrun! Get the parkrun official app. It’s purple with ‘5k’ on it. There are loads of great challenges on it and a map of all the parkruns 🤗

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Never knew that Tasha99 !!

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

#imobsessed

[NorwegianWood Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks, Tasha99. Just downloaded it. My first parkrun is coming up in the next week or so. I've just finished week #9.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to NorwegianWood]

You’ll love it! I love tourism. Am going to have a go at doing more of the Alphabeteer challenge. I’m working towards my green 250 top too 🤗

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏🤣🤣 Love the sentiment!! Well done thats a good time for a first park run! 👏

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

well done Madwife60 …glad you managed to stay upright & that’s a great time…

[Bruch1 Graduate]

Well done! Saturday mornings will never be the same!! Remember if you don't feel like running one week you can always volunteer as a Marshall. It's another great community thing to do and you meet even more lovely people.

[NorwegianWood Graduate in reply to Bruch1]

How do you sign up to volunteer?

[Bruch1 Graduate in reply to NorwegianWood]

After your run you get an email with your results and there should be a section regarding volunteering and a link to put your name down. Alternatively just ask the parkrun director at your local parkrun and they will put you on the list. Thereafter you'll get an email each week asking for volunteers and you can either reply that you're available or not. You normally have to arrive about 45 mins before the start so you can get to your position. You're given all instructions, a marshal's vest and a lanyard with emergency numbers. All you have to do is encourage the runners. It's fun and everyone is really helpful.

[NorwegianWood Graduate in reply to Bruch1]

Thanks for that explanation, Bruch1

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Yay 😁😁 parkruns are great aren't they?

[AdieB Graduate]

Good for you! Have lots more running fun 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done... it took me a very long time to get around to doing one.. ( I needed to practice running on the flat, before HM. As a lone runner it is not my favourite thing to do, but can be so useful. My first took me 45 minutes!

Did you enjoy it...? Many folk do take dogs I know.. a good excuse for a little breather and slow down as you say

[Madwife60]

I did enjoy it but I think I prefer lone running. Part of the enjoyment for me is the solitude and mind space. Mind you I was so far behind the pack it was a fairly lone run🤣.

[Annikins1 Graduate]

Well done, we did our first one yesterday too, 47 minutes! But very pleased with ourselves, a bit nerve wracking isn't it and wasn't expecting a round of applause!!

[Madwife60 in reply to Annikins1]

Well done you. I found it a bit dispiriting as I was so far off the pack. The encouragement was great but the only people behind me were the walkers. The majority must have finished well within 30 mins which is frankly a very distant dream pace for me. However it’s good for me so I’ll keep plodding along

[Annikins1 Graduate in reply to Madwife60]

Same for us! But we all have to start somewhere.I'm on Week 4, Day 1 of C25K and haven't got this far before. I'm 60 this month and determined 💪

We can do this.

[Madwife60 in reply to Annikins1]

You definitely can. I’m 66 in June and the fact that I can actually run 5k however slowly is good enough

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Madwife60]

Don’t worry about how fast others go. People walk at every parkrun. It’s so inclusive. Enjoy it 🤗

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Madwife60]

Each parkrun is different so do look at the course pages for your nearest events on parkrun website. If you look at the results page you can also check the times of finishers. You’ll find that many town runs on tarmac paths attract more walkers and slower runners.

[NorwegianWood Graduate in reply to Madwife60]

Within 30 mins is not a target I can aspire to at this stage. It's the personal goal and later I'll work at improving my PB. Just finishing is the goal. Then there is the community. We need each other!

[Run46 Graduate]

Fantastic, well done you...not least for staying upright in the mud, it can be quite a challenge 😆

[Dexy5 Graduate]

well done Madwife, it is a slippery slope from here. If you go on the bridge to 10k forum there is a weekly post to talk about your parkrun. We all love it.