It was very daunting. I turned up and was near the front of the crowd ready to start the run. Everyone was wearing red, white and blue; except for me. One of the volunteers who seemed to be in charge of the event pointed at me rather officiously and asked why I was wearing the wrong clothes. Everyone turned around and stared at me and I looked down at my pink tight running top only to see that I was revealing rather more of me than I should have been! I was mortified and wanted the ground to swallow me up, as I quickly pushed what was on show back into the top. Then the volunteer asked for my barcode card. I couldn't believe it but I had left it at home! How stupid. By then the minutes had been ticking away so the volunteer said that we would have to re-convene at ten past nine.
I was bursting for the toilet but luckily the person next to me said that they had an apartment nearby, and kindly said I could use their toilet. It was very posh so I had to take my trainers off to go in. As I came out of the toilet I could hear the horn blowing to signal that we were a minute away from starting again so I ran to the starting line carrying my trainers. I bent down to put them on but I was so nervous that the laces seemed to take for ever to tie properly, my hands were shaking uncontrollably and once again everyone was looking at me. I could hear everyone tut-tutting and saying how you could tell I wasn't a real runner because I couldn't even put my trainers on properly.Then I woke up and it was 5.15. And I had to laugh at myself, it was very realistiic though!
When I actually got there I walked around and around a large hedge, to warm up but actually needed the toilet! I wondered if I could crouch down to go without being seen. Then, lo and behold I passed a lady runner doing exactly that!! It made me laugh. I decided to not risk it myself as there were a lot of people milling around! I have a streaming cold so I had a lot of tissues in my pockets just in case. It was about 18 degrees with a cooling breeze.
During the run I found that I enjoyed running near /just behind other people and there was one guy who had 'sub 27' on his T shirt who was a pace maker (how cool is that?) and I tried to keep him in sight a little way ahead of me; this really, really helped.
I felt sick near the end and kept saying to myself keep pushing on because I never have to do it again! The volunteers were great, cheering and clapping us on. I was very relieved to get over the line and managed a lttle sprint! I forgot to turn off my garmin, and when I did a few moments later it read 28.08..so I reckon I might be around the 28 mark How great would that be!?! So I wait in anticipation for the results.
Actually I can't wait to do it again!
Written by
TJFlute
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Hahahaha how funny I was getting angry on your behalf at how they were treating you and thinking that doesn't sound like where my husband does his parkruns they're usually really nice!! I'm so pleased it was a dream!!
Anyway, mega congrats on your time, very impressed!!!
Wonderful, Theresa! I'm so impressed..... so sorry I couldn't 'join' you but I really appreciated a very lazy lie-in then coffee in bed while booking holiday arrangements on my laptop! (you can feel REALLY smug now). Can you remind us how long ago you graduated? I seem to remember it was a little while ago - I only ask so we relative newbies know what's round the corner for us! 28 mins...wow!!!
Ooooh, I'll have my lie-in tomorrow I graduated early March 2011. I was progressing really well after that but then a close friend died end of May 2011 and then my neighbour and friend died two weeks later. My life was obviously topsy turvy for a while and my ambition with running went out of the window, but thankfully I did manage to keep the 4 or 5k runs ticking over (mainly due to the support found on the old C25k site). It's only a year on and with the inspiration from all of you new graduates that I have found my sense of ambition return and I can face challenges again, so a big thank you to you all
It's good having all these young whippersnappers keeping us honest isn't it? It's great in here.
Bet you just edge 28:00 next time. My 5k time came down the more distance I ran so if you keep your 10ks up you should get another couple of minutes off that by the Autumn.
You might be a bit heavy legged for the next couple of runs but enjoy a lie in and a day or two off - extremely well deserved.
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How great would that be!?! So I wait in anticipation for the results.
Wow...I've just done my first Parkrun :) :)
Yet another 1st Parkrun!
I did it - Graduation and my first Parkrun! 
Done the Worcester Parkrun, my first ever Proper Run!
My First Parkrun :-)
