Parklife surprise

[redsheep]

My first post graduation run was also my first Parkrun, first time running without music (since week 3 as actually didn't start using podcasts until then when my watch died!), and first time running with a group of people.

Although it didn't really turn out quite like that. Everyone bunched up at the start. I picked a place in the middle, right behind a man pushing 2 children in a buggy. The beginning was strange. We set off, then whoooosh.......most of the group sped past me. And then I was on my own, more or less until the end. Apart from when I was lapped by some people (2 people smashed the record and did it in under 15 minutes!!). I found it difficult to set my pace at first. Then I settled in, but found the first half quite hard. Our course is 2.5 laps of the park. I felt slow and like hardly anyone was behind me. There was lots of kids in front doing so much better! So for the last km I dug deep and sprinted(ish).

My time:

28:01

I was flabbergasted!! I really thought I was over the 30 minutes. It had felt quite a stuggle, but now I see I was obviously pushing myself more than usual. Looking at the tables after I can see that most people do it in under 30 mins, although there are still quite a good portion over that, the longest taking 50 something minutes. I came 82nd out of 141 people and was the 12th female.

I'll be back next week. Great way to spend a Saturday morning. Hopefully I can match my time. But I'll be happy with anywhere around 30 minutes.

[AliB1 Graduate]

Wow a fantastic time!!! Well done you

[redsheep Graduate in reply to AliB1]

Thanks. I'm delighted!

[tygfuz Graduate]

That really is a great time even if it hadn't been your first run, but as it was that is a superb time. You are obviously made for running.

[redsheep Graduate in reply to tygfuz]

Thanks. Will see how next week goes. My calves are pretty tender today.

[Legion Graduate]

Wow, that was awesome redsheep! Congrats on your first post-grad, your first parkrun and an amazing time. Maybe those tees really are 'go faster'...

[redsheep Graduate in reply to Legion]

Thanks Legion.

[Soozz Graduate]

That's fantastic, Redsheep! Well done. What a great time, you must be really proud. Reading your description of everyone whooshing past I think it'll be a while before I do a ParkRun!

[redsheep Graduate in reply to Soozz]

Thanks Soozz. I think the lesson in that is to start a further back. With almost 150 people as well it's kind of hard to judge where to go. I'll definitely be near the back next time. You should go. I'm sure you would enjoy it. You don't have Laura but you've got the volunteers clapping you as you go past so that gives you the little push to keep going.

[swanscot Graduate]

Brilliant, Redsheep! Great to hear you enjoyed the run and are going back again.

[redsheep Graduate in reply to swanscot]

Thanks Swanscot. I always enjoy the end at least!

[AnnaDJ Graduate]

Yay!! Well done Redsheep. That's a really fab time. I'm really nervous about trying a parkrun.

[redsheep Graduate in reply to AnnaDJ]

Thanks Anna. I'm sure you will be fine. Everyone is encouraging. I think the one I went to had a lot of people hence the 'whoosing'! Next time I will be nearer the back.

Oh, and it turns out the people who did it in under 15 minutes are cross country athletes, so a 'walk in the park' for them!

[Vivwestie Graduate]

That's brilliant! Very inspiring. I've signed up for one in Brighton about a month after I graduate, so I know what to expect now!

[Pelephant Graduate]

Well done! That is a brilliant time!

[KANdoit]

You'd have lapped me! I finished 980/981 in the Bushy Parkrun in just under 52 min!