Parkruns, are they for fun or deadly serious? - Couch to 5K

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Parkruns, are they for fun or deadly serious?

jennyn profile image
jennynGraduate
10 Replies

They are starting to do parkruns in my local area, and I am considering taking part when I graduate, but am a bit nervous they are very serious events, has any one else done one?

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jennyn profile image
jennyn
Graduate
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10 Replies
AliB1 profile image
AliB1Graduate

Not done one yet but will be doing my first on 26 May (if not before). A few of us on here have agreed to do one together (virtually that is) on 26 May or 2 June to give each other mutal encouragement...why not join us?. Check out one of my blogs.

My local one (Bromley) has lots of people (200 /300 people)and some very fast times but there are a few running it late 30 mins / 40 min. However, the ethos behind parkruns that it is inclusive and for all so I say go along!! and if it is new you can be involved from the early days...think that would be pretty cool.

Let us know what you decide & how you get on if you do one.

jennyn profile image
jennynGraduate in reply to AliB1

You have talked me in to it, I am so easily led! 26th May sounds good, not sure I'll be up to 5k by then, so might end up walking a bit! Be good to see how everyone gets on.

Greg_M profile image
Greg_MGraduate

I have done a few and I would say FUN!

There are a few up the front who use it as part of a serious training regime by the looks of mine (Frimley) but it is relatively few and its interesting having them there as well.

Deryn61 profile image
Deryn61Graduate

I did one in Cardiff a few weeks after graduating, my sister persuaded me.

I was running 5k or a bit more regularly but very slowly. I expected to come in last but told myself it didn't matter. I was very nervous beforehand, and had trouble breathing properly, my sister started doing a gentle warm up jog and I struggled!

It was actually good fun! Once we started, I soon remembered how to breathe again! I didnt like being overtaken by dozens of younger/fitter people but the marshalls were very encouraging all the way round. Half way round I started laughing! I realised that less than 6 months ago I had walked my dogs round that part of Bute Park, and was tired out after half an hour! I would never have dreamt I would ever be RUNNING round, 4 stone lighter!

I did struggle a bit, in the sense that I had to slow down to a walk a few times, which I thought was a bit disappointing since I had been running the whole 5 k on my own. But I actually did it 6 mins faster than I had run on my own!

I was chuffed!

And I wasnt quite last!

I am intending doing another before long, so highly recommend it.

Minuette profile image
MinuetteGraduate

In my local park there are regularly over 300 runners/joggers etc, I know this because I snoop erm.. look at the results each week online ;)

There are some who do the 5k in 15 mins (yes I couldn't believe this but they are from running clubs) and there are the odd 5 or so who come in between 40-45 mins. I will be in this group I'm sure when I do mine on 26th May. So there are both serious runners and slower joggers, as long as I don't come in last I'm not really too bothered.

It sounds like good fun - go for it! :)

AliB1 profile image
AliB1Graduate in reply to Minuette

I snoop mine to on line....both on facebook and their website!

groovychick54 profile image
groovychick54Graduate

I'm a snooper too LOL Colwick Park Nottingham. As soon as the weather picks up I'm having a go. I've got as far as registering!

jennyn profile image
jennynGraduate in reply to groovychick54

That's as far as I got! I can't snoop yet because they haven't started doing them yet, but will do so I can check them out! Are you going to do it on 26th?

groovychick54 profile image
groovychick54Graduate

Jennyn I don't think so, I'm going on a works night out on the Friday so it might not be a good idea LOL. The following week is holiday prep, nails hair etc so it might have to wait until after 12th June.

jennyn profile image
jennynGraduate in reply to groovychick54

Well have a lovely holiday, don't forget your running gear!

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