Will I look stupid?

[hart0201]

I'd like to take part in my local parkrun, but looking at their stats, the slowest person is 32 mins - my 5k speed is around 40 minutes. I don't want to look stupidly slow - should I try and build up my speed elsewhere before I go to the parkrun?

[SloMo]

I think you should-they'll very likely be very supportive and encouraging and you may find that the company inspires you to run a little quicker BUT if not then what's the worse that can happen - you'll finish last? You already suspect that and so just go with a mindset it is what it is and set yourself a target of say 38 mins - do more, think less!! Good luck x

[MaryAB Graduate]

My park run is a bit like that. There doesn't seem to be any slow people!

You should still go, they will be really supportive and quite often they have a back runner who will run with you.

Good luck xx

[Gazter Graduate]

I suspect very few people can get off the couch and within ten weeks be running 5k in 30 minutes. Unless all these runners have been as fit as they currently are since they were teenagers they would have been running 5k at forty minutes also at some point. I suspect they will be quite supportive and some of them would have travelled the same route as you.

I am nowhere near brave enough for doing it, yet, but good luck to you.

[toonfan71]

If you can do the 5k in 40 mins then you have proven yourself. As others have said maybe running in this will help you to improve your 5k time. If you do it in 38 mins you have knocked 2 mins off your time but would be encouraging to see if you can do it quicker the next time.

Good luck with the run i wouldnt worry about ur time to much just enjoy the day and your run.

[StaceInspire Graduate]

Just go for it. You'll find you run faster at the park run anyway. I did my first one a couple of weeks ago and felt the same. My fastest 5k before I did it had been 38 minutes but when it came to my first Park run I did it in 34.55. I went with the thought that I just wanted to get my own PB and not to worry if I was last. As it happened I wasn't (quite) last and I was so chuffed I'd took part in a proper run it didn't matter. We all start somewhere. Good luck.

[hart0201]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll give it a go!

Looking at the photos they've posted everyone looks so slim - I'm still amused that when I tell people I go running they look at me and say "Really?", as if being a size 14 makes it impossible for me to haul my big butt anywhere (in actual fact the old butt has firmed up since I took up running, and I also have calf muscles where previously I'd had wibbly cankles!).

Parkrun here we come!

[magicfee23 Graduate in reply to hart0201]

Have a look at the pics on the Edinburgh Parkrun page. Yes there are some super slim serious runners but a fair few normal girls bringing up the rear.

I'm going to fit right in............ when I get the guts to go along!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

I was doing 5k in about 43 mins on my own a few weeks after graduating. My sister persuaded me to do a parkrun in Cardiff - I insisted she went off at her speed as I didnt want her nagging me to go faster than I could lol!

I walked a few parts (20 seconds) so felt I was not doing very well but my time was 38 mins 24 secs!

I was chuffed.

I thought I would be last but I was last but two.

I enjoyed the experience hugely. I hope to do another very soon.

[AliB1 Graduate]

From someone that was one of the last few on the 2 parkruns i've done I'd say go for it. If you are worried what about sending a message to them (think alot of them have facebook pages) and say you are thinking of coming along and what you expect your time to be. I would put down alot of money that they will respond saying come along!!!!!

Alternatively, you could go along to watch before your first one and speak to one of the volunteers.

Good luck!

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to AliB1]

just looked at some of your parkrun results...if you look back at some of March's results there were some runners late 30's / early 40 min times.

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

I say go for it! I did and it helped to push me. The applause at the end also made my red face look like I was blushing

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to Anonymous36]

applause at the end....i don't get that! think everyone else is drinking tea and coffee and eating cake by the time i finish....need to get quicker to ensure that there is cake left!

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

Oh yes, you get applauded for being really fast or really slow. They probably think aww look at this fat one, she's really giving it her all! ;D My hubby is much faster so I'm able to reserve my slice of cake

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to Anonymous36]

so i need to find a faster runner to reserve me some cake then lol..

[Anonymous36 Graduate in reply to AliB1]

Bingo!!! There's your weekly reason to talk to people!

I'm still working on a theory of having a rabid dog chase me so I'll run faster. I'll let you know how that pans out after I track down a rabid dog supplier lol

[juicydee Graduate]

I thought the same about my local parkrun - everyone 37 mins or under - but I looked again a couple of weeks later and two ladies had joined who came in at about 50 mins each, bless them! I'm just hoping they'll turn out the day I make my debut! I'm going on 2nd June anyway cos I've promised one or two peeps on here that I will if they will, each of us to our own local run - do 'join' us if you can make that date!