Just back from my first parkrun and am glowing, well still red and hot from the exertion and the sun!!!!
I am excitedly waiting for them to post my official time online as I had problems with the Garmin and didn't manage to start it as the man said GO! However, it does show I did 4.93km in36.29 min so I reckon my 5k will be 37 mins or so (will let you know later)...that's 2 minutes faster than before. I was one of the last few through.
Found the run hard all the way through but that may be coz I went off too fast, will check out the stats later. Also, didn't really like the route as it was 3 loops of the park...so when I was struggling the first time knew I had to do it twice more!!!
Everyone seemed friendly enough but didn't hang around at the end....that's where I lack the confidence to chat to people I don't know. I will def go back on a regular basis.
Thanks for all the encouragement I get on here...without you peeps I would probably chicken out of the challenges I set myself!
Written by
AliB1
Graduate
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Both, remember there are others in any gathering feeling the same (I'm a say hello to anyone type - doesn't mean I'm not nervous inside it depends on the setting)
'hello', nod of head to acknowledge, smile, 'do like your running shoes', 'saw you ahead of me earlier', 'ooh I saw you here last week/time, how's your time doing?' Hello I'm... And when you know one, wave when you see them. Then it opens up when you are talking to someone - 'that's Kate, hello again Kate, Kate and I met last week, Kate this is Jane' which helps with conversation
You are scanning for those that hang back, look like they want to say hello to someone but uncertain where to start, or a small group of 3. Other folks will spot you and say hello themselves.
I must say I would find 3 loops quite discouraging too . Well done for sticking it out - this stuff teaches you a lot about persevering in life generally, doesn't it?
Looking forward to my first parkrun on 2nd June 'with' TJFlute and I think a couple of others - will give a shout out beforehand to check.
Wow!! really impressed now you know it's 3 times round you can alter your mind to cope? In athletics they run in circles and your Garmin should give you lap times, you could focus and do the middle lap a little quicker than the first and last? Or plan some markers so every time you reach the tree you speed up and slow back down at that bench? Endless possibilities to make it more fun
With the running club as well you'll get the hang of saying hello to random strangers... like us
Whoop whoop from me too! Well done AliB1 that is great and a PB to boot. You've inspired me to go to have a snoop at my local parkrun today and I'm getting perilously close to trying one after graduation. Maybe.
Well done AliB, and a great time too. I bet it's really hard to judge a pace at the beginning??
It's a good idea to make it a weekly run, especially if it's convenient to where you live.
I have been practicing running loops around a park near where I teach in Hastings, just to get used to that, although I don't know the route in Eastbourne, so I'll have to look it up.
I teach there every Wednesday! I usually run around Alexandra park afterwards (to de-stress!) but last Wednesday I ran along the seafront for an hour and had a good look at the burnt down pier
Official results have been posted. I came 379 out of 385 with a time of 36 minutes 51 seconds. Very proud of my time but will be chasing the 80+ year old guy next time (he was 2 mins faster than me) but how awesome is it that he's still running at that age!
That's a really good time AliB1 - but it kind of puts me off trying my park run as I'm much slower than that Will the volunteers be prepared to hang around long enough for me to finish??
this weeks seems faster than previous weeks! i think mine says if you are giong to be longer than 50 mins to let them know at the start so that they are aware. my parkrun has a facebook page so if yours does too why don't you message them and ask or check out the results page online for your one (if you haven't already). the volunteers and other runners were really encouraging i even managed to go a little faster (not much) towards the finish
Ali that's brilliant we'll done!!! And what a great time you achieved too!
I'm going to fast walk the whole of my parkrun this morning will be interesting to see how long it takes to walk and then think about taking it from there.
I think you've done fantastically, not only the parkrun but in approaching a bunch, well nearly 400, of people, that takes some doing - go you!!!!
Just catching up with blogs today. You are a total inspiration to everyone. Your time sounds good to me. My daughter completes week 9 this week, assuming all goes well and I think she is going to come with me for my first park run and maybe even Race for Life. Still not sure I would do this without her. I am in awe of you
Thanks blueboots. Don't know why but legs (shins / calves) are still very sore from Saturday and due to go out tomorrow iwth running club...hope I haven't been pushing myself too hard.
Will be nice to do the parkrun with someone, can I borrow your daughter lol
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. Well done for sticking it out - this stuff teaches you a lot about persevering in life generally, doesn't it? 
Back again!
After 3 years I'm back on the Couch to 5k bandwagon!!! 
Did it! From treadmill to the big outdoors.
Park run 
