Parkrunners anonymous

Whoop! Whoop! DS and I did our 50th run today. Our giant badges hampered our style slightly but that didn't matter.
We are hoping to do Fountains Abbey in a few weeks. It's less than an hour and looks amazing!

I'm not so sure. I ran 4.5 miles today and it wasn't great. Have only managed a maximum of 7 since I tore my calf in November! I've been almost constantly injured or poorly since then Sunday is going to be hard work

I think we did fancy dress last year.

Blathers you'll be FAB on Sunday!

Parkrun birthdays are fun ime. Everyone turns up ready to have a good time and there is such a lovely atmosphere. We had cakes and a few banners at ours and everyone had a great time.

I'm volunteering tomorrow ahead of my first (and badly trained for) half marathon on Sunday. I'm rather scared

I'm feeling a bit nervous now about our birthday tomorrow, cakes to bake this afternoon. Lots to set up in the morning, more runners and running in a onesie!!!

I've read of some doing sweatshop vouchers but I thought that was a parkrun thing then discovered we haven't been sent anything. Our neighbouring town had their birthday 2 weeks ago and apparently got trophies but it's a bit late for that now. ED is talking about certificates.

What do you mean cinnamon

Our points table winners got mini concrete cows at the birthday run - but then we are in MK!

What are others experiences of prizes for point table winners at brithday celebrations?

Well done rosy, Melanie and thefemale on your PBs! Great stuff!

Well done rosy on breaking 30, and the female on a sub25!

We had the first really nice day in weeks, with lots of pbs, including myself at 26:34. My rival ahead of me in the points table was only 9 seconds faster, but it's our first anniversary next week so I'll have to settle for 2nd place.

Sorry for the shocking typos, fat fingers on tablet...grrrr.

Hello all, well done on the PBs yesterday. it was a lovely morning for Parkrun with no wind, which wad a really pleasant change. Lots of pbs at our run today, there is one lady who I often end up running with because vwe do such similar times, we spurred each other on to big PBs today, my first sub-25; 24.21. I am so pleased! Now need to add mileage. Have a good week everyone!

Fountains Abbey was awesome! So very, very pretty and a lovely course too. Would highly recommend it.

It did occur to me that it was Bushy Park not Black Park which was the first parkrun but that will make no difference to how friendly everyone will be there. I hope you enjoy it funchum

There's going to be another new parkrun near me soon and we're losing 2 RDs to it as it's closer for them. My friend who is an RD has been trying to convince me to be one too for a while and last night I caved and agreed! Am very nervous but hoping it will go well.

I was really pleased to finally manage a pb today - 29.59.

After last week's PB today was close to a PW . It really showed me how my fitness has improved.

Awww, well done mini-cinnamon at a good job and improving his PB

Well done on your 5k youbemummylion and no you wouldn't be at all. We don't always have a tail runner but being last isn't a problem and you're not holding anyone up at all. Our parkrun always cheers the last person over the line and are very supportive to new runners.

I tail ran today and took ds1 with me, I told him it was my job to be last and he said we're doing a good job then mummy! He didn't moan at all and he took 4 mins off his previous time so I was very proud of him. He had a massive slice of cake in the cafe afterwards!! I've been asked to take over as event director along with two others, all said we wouldn't mind but no one actually said yes! The current ED is still happy to be an rd but feels his heart isn't in it anymore and he doesn't always read all the stuff and we are more passionate.

mummylion - at my parkrun there is always a volunteer tailrunner who walks/runs with the slowest. I have done it a couple of times and really enjoyed it - you get to chat, meet new people and encourage new runners. I really wouldn't worry about being the slowest/holding anyone up. The whole point of parkrun is that it is for everyone.

Lovely morning here, I had a slow jog round and hardly got out of breath (although I couldn't resist a sprint finish ). Half marathon with cinnamon tomorrow!

Im currently doing couch to 10k for a 10k race in May. Last night I finally cracked 5k but it was in 43mins. I checked my local ParkRun the slowest runner (tail runner?!) came in 46mins if I go will I be in danger of embarrasing myself/holding everyone up? The majority seemed to finish under 30mins

Thanks blatherskiteit does sound fun at BP! Fountains Abbey will be fabulous, and to go to the inaugural one would be wonderful.

As it turns out I can't do next week now as DH has arranged to go away for the weekend so I'll do the local parkrun in Leamington instead - anyone go there?

daisyjane hopefully I will see you the week after at Black Park, even though we won't recognise each other!

I ran this morning and spied on my local running club who have a 9am meet every Saturday very nearby...they looked friendly enough so may start going to them on weeks when I can't get all the way over to Black Park.

Good luck spacechimp, don't push it too hard!

I'm taking ds1 tomorrow, I'm tail running so doesn't matter how slow he is! Last time he went he whinged the whole way round and it poured.

Fountains Abbey parkrun sounds amazing and worth the journey! I hope to run tomorrow but my ankle/foot is still not right. Not exactly painful but it is uncomfortable in certain positions. Seeing a physio next week and did body attack yesterday without too much bother so am determined to run as I've entered my first 10km race at the end of March and haven't run for nearly 2 weeks. Just hope I can make it round the course

I go to black park

Black Park was the first ever parkrun. What a fab place to do your first ever parkrun :)

We start at 9am sharp at MK so I would definitely advise getting there early enough to be parked and have found the start before 9am so that you're not rushing and can get your bearings before you set off. Remember your barcode, you won't need it until the end but you will need it to get a result. Black Park is one of the bigger parkruns I think but don't get overwhelmed - just enjoy running with the crowd. parkrun has a fab ethos and no-one will be judging you on time or technique so just enjoy being carried along with everyone else. I guarantee you won't come last and even if you did it wouldn't matter.

I am properly living up to the parkrunners anonymous feeling today and am setting off for a 2 and a half hour trip up to my brother's house tonight ready for another hours drive to do the first ever Fountains Abbey parkrun in the morning. Then I have to get all the way back to be out at the theatre on Saturday night! I must be mad

Thanks cinnamon and OhOne, those are really handy tips - I will definitely aim to get there early for a parking spot. Best lay off the wine on the Friday for an early start!