Let's get factual, factual* - My first ever park run...

[laj1987]

First park run completed today, thanks to everyone for your messages of support.

So, drum roll please, here are the results ....

Out of a total of 86 runners I came 73rd out of the overall total. And out of the 26 ladies who competed I came 17th. Time 32:15**

Woke up early this morning and managed to roll over back to sleep and didn't get up until almost 07:00 so I was running (excuse the pun) late before I'd even started. Got up & walked the dog and came home to make such a stupid mistake that I regretted the whole of the park run .... I ate breakfast, a big breakfast *sighs*. Normally I run either before breakfast or before tea, the hunger being the impetus I need to run home for food ha-ha!! Today it was a lovely fresh day but so so cold and I thought I'd eat a bowl of porridge, two slices of super thick toast & a cuppa, to keep me full and warm me up.

Got to the park & saw someone from running club & feeling very social undertook a warm up RUN, what ever happened to Laura & the warm up walk that's what I want to know??? Got a stitch on the warm up but didn't think too much of it and went & stood with all runners and then we were off. It was lovely & I was really enjoying myself until the stitch struck again and I could feel the porridge making a re-appearance. I had to walk on and off to keep the stitch at bay and the porridge down so to be honest my result is expected. When I had to do a bit of walking I was quite irked with myself and tempted to quit but I thought of C25K and Laura telling me not to stop and so I kept on going. I was overtaken by almost everyone including children who when I eventually got to the end were still running around playing after a 5K run - where do they get the energy??

Lesson learned for next time though - keep my routine as it is and run empty, plus there is a lovely cafe at the park so if I get a PB next time on an empty stomach I can treat myself to a bacon sandwich & a cup of tea. Always look on the bright side & all that lol!

I am definitely going back but I think I will go to one a month as it would be hard to commit myself to each week but they are really good and people are friendly.

*A tenuous link to the lyrical genius that is Olivia Newton John's 'lets get physical'

** Park run states 5k in 32:15. Nike + states 5.22K in 32:05, fastest ever 5k in 30:53 seconds, fastest ever 1k in 05:41, fastest ever mile 09:18 so not too shoddy me thinks. But amazing when you think in May I couldn't really run for 60 seconds and here I am running with people who have completed marathons. I am proud of myself!!

[BettyJane Graduate]

Well done. I never like to run on empty, if I'm running first thing I'll have a banana, a cup of tea and a pint of water. When I'm going to Parkrun i have 2 weetabix, a banana, a cup of tea and a pint of water, as time between eating and running is a little longer. I always drink water before running and have never yet had a stitch.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to BettyJane]

Normally I'm like a Dyson - I like to eat and am always hungry but when it comes to running I'd rather run before & eat after. Odd how different bodies need different things.

I don't normally get stitches so I think it was a change of routine.

[shelleymcb Graduate]

if I run in the afternoon I get stitch. perhaps because Ive eaten more than when I run in the morning.

well done on your time ~ I would be very happy with that & for plucking up the courage to go & do it!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to shelleymcb]

I like this quote when I don't feel brave - 'Courage is not the absence of fear, but the knowledge that something is more important than fear'

But now I know how friendly park runs are I know there was nothing to be scared about

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Wonderful time laj for your first run, well done. You will soon reduce that once you get your eating sorted, I just have a banana and cup of tea, drink of water too before a morning run. I find running later in the day just doesn't agree with me I nearly always end up feeling like I need the loo!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thank you I do like early morning runs, gets your body out of the door before your mind knows what's happening!!

[notbad Graduate]

Well done! I was nervous when I did my first parkrun too but they really are great fun. I did my second today and found that because I knew the course I was that bit better prepared and so both improved my time a wee bit and enjoyed it even more. I'm planning on one a month too, and will look to volunteer too.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to notbad]

That's a really good point which I didn't think of, not knowing the route to take might slow you down. Congratulations on improving your time which I'm sure you'll do next time you run too

[notbad Graduate in reply to laj1987]

Cheers laj Getting a new PB is a bit of a mixed blessing as the bar has been raised... Urk! I'll give it my best shot though. Best of luck to you for your next parkrun, I bet you'll be faster now you know the course.

[Caz9 Graduate]

Well done, that's a good time even with the walking bits! Next time will be better. Like you, I'm a morning runner and when I do a Parkrun, other than having a cup of tea about an hour or more before I go (so that hopefully it flushes through so won't need the loo half way round ), I run on empty. I have some water in the car to have afterwards and I eat when I get home.

[TJFlute]

That's a great time...I bet you can't wait for the next one now!