Parkrunners Assemble - the new thread that will remind you to "do not forget barcode" and that "you can walk, jog, run or volunteers"

Strabane

Got to meet Dame Kelly Holmes this morning! She's fabulous.

Wow w33ta8ix amazing. I'm going to get back into my exercise routine which is run short distances (3-5k) 3 days a week and bootcamp 2 days a week.
I've eased off a little on the running recently.

Second ever park run this morning. Was much busier than my first one (a different location). Managed 22.46, but was still 152nd!

Well done Pink, and good stamina, Blinked.

I answered a late appeal for volunteers, and multi tasked as marshall, photographer, finish token support and post event collect-the-signs.

Well done pinkarsedfly. I finished 18th in mine today...I love when there's only a small group, it makes it look like I am really good.
Struggled to run the whole thing, sinuses playing up and j couldn't breath properly. My fault, I've been eating a lot of dairy this week. (By dairy I mean chocolate)

I did my first-ever Parkrun today!

My goal was to do it all without walking - which I did!

I finished 546th!

I did my 10k today. Didn't manage to jog as much as I hoped because I still don't feel great and there was so many people taking part in it that it was hard to jog in some spots.
It's something I don't think I'll do again. (This particular 10k not 10ks in general)

@SconNotScone that's great to hear! I feel more reassured about this. I've checked the results page and 580 people turned up to it today.

@wiltingflower mine only have about 80 or so runners, so is a fairly small one, when I got there at 08:45 the first time, there were at least 10 or so runners waiting around, plus all the volunteers, and more people soon turned up. I just milled around on my own, and it was fine! Do you know approx how many people go to your local one?

I don't bring a water bottle but I see people who do. I wear a t-shirt and leggings the excersise ones from Tesco. I get very hot though as I jog.
I am meant to be doing a 10k on Sunday but now I've come down with a stomach bug. Hopefully I'll be able to make it. Fingers crossed.
Best of luck wiltingflower.

Thank you @SconNotScone! This is really helpful!

Are there many people when you go early? I'll be starting on my own and am worried about looking odd.

I quite like the idea of wearing layers and then removing one as needed.

I'm not sure how I'd fare water wise 🤔 I may just bring a water bottle for the first time and see how it goes and then leave it.

Hi wiltingflower!

At my first parkrun, I got there 15 mins early and just hung around for a bit until the race director called out for anyone who was new to parkrun, or new to that location, to go over for a briefing. That must have been at just after 08:50 I think.

I have done three so far, the first was chilly and wet, I ran with a long sleeve zip up top over my T-shirt and that was fine. The following two have been milder (although not super warm, and I have just worn a yoga type vest top. I have noticed some people do start with two layers, then strip off partway round and hang their long sleeve top off a tree or fence. My course is 3 laps of a huge playing field though, so you go back past a couple of times for them to retrieve it!

Regarding water bottles, I can only recall seeing one or two people carrying them round. I don’t bother, I just have a small drink beforehand, then neck a big bottle once I’m finished! It doesn’t really feel long enough to me to need a drink on the way round, although I appreciate not everyone thinks the same way.

I have questions! :)

What time should you arrive for your first park run?
Do people normally run with water bottles?
Is it normal to around in a fleece now that the weather is warming up or do most people only wear a top?

Get a decent pair of running shoes and don't run up hills I am still learning myself. Only really started late October so surprising myself all the time.
I did the couch to 5k app and found that great but the Park runs are the best., better than any app and it sets you up for the day.

Well done blinked
Any advice for new runners?

That's great runningpink well done.
I did an 8k today but walked a lot of it, lots of hills, long hills too.
It was to support the local football team so I wasn't really pushing myself anyway.
I'm going to take a break next week and just do my two bootcamps. I am still new enough to excersise so really want to be fit for Sunday and see if I can do 10K in 70mins.

Thank you!

Nope I don’t run every day. Iv actually been doing less running (similar days but less mileage) the last two months as I’d fallen out of love with it.
I usually run 3-4 times a week, between 5-10k unless I’m training then it obviously increases a lot.

Currently doing this which I know is too much! Need to swap some stuff and do weights again.

M- Bootcamp 45mins.
T- 4mile Run OR Spin bike and Abs Class in morning. 4-5mile run OR road bike 15 miles ish and Pilates.
W-Spin bike 30mins and HITT class 30mins in morning. PM run 5-6miles.
Th-Rest day
F-Rest day or wee easy 10mile on road bike
S- parkrun. Sometimes gym in afternoon. Self defence class 1 hour.
S- Road Bike 20-30miles, 5k run and time depending Bootcamp 45 mins.

Its not a plan as such, just what I can fit in around work/classes available.

Well done on your PB pink!
Do you run everyday?

I got a PB!! One of my friends ended up running with me and helped me get a completely unplanned and very unexpected PB.
The goal to go Sub 23 is now in sight!

hot I am so glad you loved volunteering.

iblinked sometimes it’s nice to not chase a Pb and to just enjoy going round. Good luck with your 10k.

I love volunteering. Today was my 26th parkrun and I am no longer trying to beat my PB. At the moment I am teaching myself how to pace myself so I can another 10k next Sunday.
My time today was just under 32 mins so still fast.

I have just volunteered on my very first Parkrun! It was really fun! I was an enthusiastic Marshall and I loved every minute of it. I hope I haven't killed the thread! It was awesome and if you haven't ever tried it - do it! Volunteers are always appreciated! Can't wait for next time!

I'm joining up this Saturday too but I'm volunteering first to get a better idea of how it works. I'm quite competitive about improving myself so I will be fascinated to see how Parkrun works. A friend of mine says it's 'like a cult' and warned me against going but other than his opinion I've heard nothing but positive stuff. And I'd only be lying in bed doing nothing other than that anyway so I can't see what harm it can do!
I'm not a runner, yet, but when I see runners I get a bit jealous and want to be out running myself so the desire is definitely there! Also booked onto Race for Life this year so I'm hoping I can soak up the Parkrun spirit! When I get a chance I will review old thread and read the whole of this one properly but for now hello parkrunners!

There's a rather infamous "first timers" briefer at Edinburgh parkrun who says "welcome to the best day of your life

I love that. I might nick that for the next time I do the run briefing at my local parkrun.

I touristed at a new parkrun in London last weekend - Hanworth, which is so close to Crane park parkrun you could almost wave at them going round. Very flat and fast.

I forgot to report back! I have done two Park Runs now. The first I took nearly 40 minutes, but this weekend I managed to shave a full 3 minutes off and came in at 36 mins and 42 seconds. I was really pleased with the improvement, but found it so tough!! Will keep going though!

My 61st event at pont-y-bala, Wales