My First Parkrun

[hannahgall]

After seeing some people mentioning Parkrun on here, I decided to give it a go this week. I'm only at the end of week 7, but I've been thinking that 5K isn't that much further distance-wise to what I've already been doing. Plus I thought that having so many runners around me would help spur me on to finish!

Honestly, Parkrun is a great thing, and I'm going to try hard not to go on for ages about how good it is, etc etc. It's relaxed, free and on every week on the route that I've been doing so far in the programme. It feels great having a milestone to tell people about, and the fact that I finished the race in 28 minutes makes the whole thing so much better!

I finally feel like I'm capable of finishing the programme, and running at a semi-respectable speed. Ok, so I wasn't running as fast as a lot of other people, but I feel amazing having finished the race at all. Before the race I thought I'd be left at the side of the path gasping for breath whilst everyone else breezed past me, and I'm so glad that wasn't the case.

I'm just happy that after my disastrous run earlier in the week, I've managed to pick myself up again and continued with the programme.

(I think you can probably tell that I've been mentally saying 'Go Me!' all day haha)

Roll on the last 2 weeks, and hopefully many more Parkruns!

[Greg_M Graduate]

28 mins!

Go you indeed!

[AnnaDJ Graduate]

Go You!! I'm down to do my 1st fun run in 2 weeks. I'll be in week 7 so your post has helped reassure me that I'll be ready. Thank you.

[hannahgall in reply to AnnaDJ]

Thank you It makes the whole thing seem worthwhile when my progress is helping to motivate other people. The Parkrun really wasn't bad. I really liked having people running around me the whole time - it helped spur me on when I wanted to slow down and walk. Good luck for your first fun run. I'll look forward to hearing how it goes!

[Soozz Graduate]

Wow, you're a hero. That's a very impressive time / distance. Go, Hannahgall!

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Brilliant time for a first Parkrun. Did you add your club as 'NHS Couch to 5k' ?

[Lunebucket Graduate]

Brilliant time. I still dream of a sub-30 5k even though I now run 10k. Well done

[AliB1 Graduate]

fantastic time...well done I'm still looking for a sub 34 min 5k!

[hannahgall]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. At the time I couldn't believe that I'd run the distance in under 30 minutes. My only aim was to finish the run without walking and if I had a time close to 35 minutes, then I would be happy.

I feel like I should think of a new aim, but for now I'm just going to concentrate on completing week 8. If all goes well this week, I'll be doing my second Parkrun on Saturday