First Park Run!!

[Gridlet]

I finally plucked up courage! My daughter is visiting from Australia (moral support) and I had the day off work so no excuses really. It's a good half an hour drive and difficult to park but so worth it!

Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, it was really nice. I started at the back and just went at a steady pace in anticipation of the imminent steep hill! It was three laps around the park and as I was struggling up the first time I thought "oh no! I can't do this three times! It's impossible!" The rest of the course was pretty flat though, so I soon recovered. However, the second time was just too much, it beat me! I walked up part way. I was so mad with myself! I picked up speed and was determined, the third time I was going to slaughter that hill! I really surprised myself, I just went on my toes, leaned into it, pumped my arms as hard as I could and got to the top! I actually passed three other struggling runners!

My lovely daughter was waiting at the finishing line so I ran as fast as I could and finished in 29 mins 11 seconds! I found out later that I was first in my age category! I am so pleased!

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Boy that's an amazing time for your first Parkrun. Well done!

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to wilmacgh]

Thankyou! You did well too!

[tantrumbean Graduate]

Are you the person that was talking to my friend who was marshalling in Preston this morning? That hill is a bit of a killer, isn't it? I keep thinking I'll have to do a Parkrun after I graduate, but the hill is putting me off (especially the fact you have to do it three times). Brilliant time though!!!

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to tantrumbean]

Yes I was! Your friend is lovely! The hill was hard but don't let it put you off!

[juliebee Graduate]

Well done! I am considering a park run soon when hubby catches me up and we can get to 5k. I graduated last week and chuffed to bits.

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to juliebee]

Well done! Yes go for it! I left it too long!

[sfb350 Graduate]

Great time ! Well done

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Thankyou!

[Moley01 Graduate]

Very well done that's an excellent time - I did my first park run today as well and came in at 33mins 18 secs.

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to Moley01]

Thanks! Well done to you too!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

That is wonderful! Very impressed, I can only dream of doing it under 30 at the minute, and dont beat yourself up about walking a bit of it, lots of forums/running books recommend a walk run approach as being a faster way to finish that running really slowly especially on hilly bits! You did brilliantly.

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to Deryn61]

Aah! Thankyou so much, that's really kind!

[TJFlute]

Well done! Great first time My park run is also a 30 minute drive away, but I will be doing it every month or so in the winter.

[Gridlet Graduate]

Thanks! Good plan! I normally work on Saturday so can only go when I have a holiday.

[AliB1 Graduate]

Fab time

[Gridlet Graduate]

Thanks Ali!