My first ParkRun volunteering stint

[limberlou]

I haven’t run much at all this week due to the heat....last time was Monday, so when I got the email from ParkRun on Thursday saying they were desperate for volunteers I thought I’d give it a try and put my name down to barcode scan. I’ve only done 1 ParkRun previously and decided it wasn’t really for me. I hated the huddle at the beginning and by 9.00 it’s too hot for me and I’ve lost interest in running. I like to fall out of bed and go ....and usually like to have run, showered and eaten before 7.30 at the latest. But I thought let’s see how I feel about it after doing this.

As it was cooler today I got up early and did my run about 6.30. This hot weather has put me all out of sorts and I like to do about 6 or 7k on a Monday, then Wednesday is my long run -10k usually but lately I’ve built up to over 16k-10 miles and started thinking “ maybe I could do an HM?” And then Friday or Saturday I do about 3 to 5k. I wasn’t sure what I’d be like today so I decided I would run for 1k and stop my timer and walk a minute, then retime the next k, and repeat for the 3rd and see if I could get faster. I didn’t want to flog myself and then stiffen up stood about at ParkRun.

I’ve never bothered much about speed preferring to plod for distance and enjoy the scenery but I’d like to shorten my long run times, after running for 2 hours 25 for the 10 miler.... anyway maybe the rest did me good as my normal short run pace is around 7:45 pkm, and this morning it was 7:49,7:41 ,7:17. So I was quite pleased with that and then had a lovely wander home for my cool down and stretched, showered and ate. The email said to get to the Park about half an hour beforehand so that was my aim but all of a sudden it was 8.30 and off I went in a panic. I’d decided to walk as it’s about a 20 min gentle stroll but I thought I was going to be late so I walked really briskly, got there in 12 minutes and then was told “ oh there’s no rush as we have THREE barcode scanners today “. They had none on Thursday!!!! I was just as hot and sweaty as I’d been after my run 🥵🥵🥵

Anyway we had a chat amongst ourselves and worked out how to use the scanners and some lovely person had come up with a couple of boxes like larger pill boxes with several compartments in, marked 1-20, 21-40, etc, to put the runners time barcodes in which made things really easy. And with 3 of us we didn’t get a bottleneck of runners waiting to be scanned. And the tail walker came in at 9.48 so it was all over very quickly. The 2nd guy who came in had his barcode printed on paper, not laminated and tucked into the top of his sock so it had virtually disintegrated but most were a bit more civilised. There were over 200 runners too, one visiting from HongKong, and it was still pretty sunny, although we were stood in a nice shady spot which was good.

I made a couple of new friends, saw a lady I used to work with who is 72 and she has signed up for the Great North Run, and talked to another lady who is being tempted by the thought of Park Run. She told me she has a touch of arthritis in her foot and didn’t think she could run with that. She walks a lot. I told her I have arthritis in both my feet and knees and neck and still run. We ended up having a big chat about C25k and she’s going to go home and Google and discuss it with her Dr when she next sees him. She went off with a “ see you next week “ so that’s hopeful.

So I feel more positive about ParkRun now. Still don’t think I’ll be running at 9.00 until it cools down considerably but ill definitely volunteer again sometime.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I was barcode scanning today too! I really enjoy congratulating people and being a part of the whole atmosphere even though I can't run. Lots of people thank you for volunteering too - was a nice way to start my Saturday (yours is nicer though - a run and volunteering, best of both worlds ). I like token sorting too ... very therapeutic, I love the neat orderly piles 🤓🤓🤓

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

When I got my result for my first parkrun there was a section regarding volunteering, I tapped volunteer, it stated that I could be called up at any time to volunteer at my home parkrun, however, there was a 'unsubcribe' link if I did not want to ever volunteer, I feel a little guilty if I do tap the unsubcribe button, but I do live 26 miles away, no car and it could be awkward travelling that distance in inclement weather..

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Yeah fair enough. I’m pretty close and I did tick to say I WOULD volunteer if needed. Actually I enjoyed it more than the time I ran 🤣🤣. But it sounded like they were absolutely desperate ( for 4 different roles too) and 3 of us obviously felt guilty enough to say yes to scanning. I think that would be my best spot for future reference as it was in the shade. If I’d had to stand in the full sun I wouldn’t be doing it again 😁

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to limberlou]

Or heavy rain, gale force winds, - 6C temperatures, heavy snow etc, no fun in those weather conditions.

[Hidden]

That’s a really interesting account. I’ve only done one parkrun but wondered what it was like from the perspective if the volunteers.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Hidden]

It's really good fun, a great feeling. I volunteered at a 10k race recently too - same good feeling. Worth a try

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

Thank you. Sounds good

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I felt much more involved strangely. I was in my own little bubble whilst running last time, as while I tried smiling and gasping “ well done “ at other runners as they went past me going the other way on the loop, not one answered and I didn’t experience any of the bonhomie and camaraderie that everyone seemed to on their PRs. I just felt like they were all out for themselves and I should just get out their way. The only encouragement I got was from one of the marshals.

Whereas yesterday I felt part of the pack and much more involved.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done for volunteering LL! 👏👏 You were doing my favourite job - I’ve volunteered about 12 times, of which all but 2 were barcode scanning! I have my dog with me, also wearing a high viz (unless really hot), so I get lots of ‘customers’ 😀

I personally love PR, but I understand why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. You’re doing so well though, and those timed kms were fabulous. I’m off for an 18k run this week - trying to pick the coolest day! Good luck with your HM training (you know you’ll do one!) 😀🏃‍♀️😀

[Katnap Marathon]

Well done for joining the volunteers club!

Parkrun doesn't feel right to me unless I've done something to help.

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Yep, me too Katnap. 👊

[benwill Marathon]

Volenteering is the best and recommend it to anyone especially when you are injured you can still feel part of the community and like you say everyone is very appreciative especially on cold wet damp days.

I find timing to be most stressful especially when busy or huge chunk of runners come in. But photography is my favourite having done it about 50 times now.

And don't forget after 25 times you get a lovely purple t-shirt.

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to benwill]

Ooh new teeshirt!! Cant wait!!

[Aldlib Half Marathon]

I only recently signed up to volunteer at park run and I love it. I have bar code scanned, handed out the tokens at the end and been a tail walker and really enjoyed them all. There are so many lovely appreciative runners out there and I always come away feeling good about doing it. I think I actually prefer volunteering to running the thing 😂. Glad you enjoyed it and do try out some of the other roles if you get a chance.