Slowest Parkrunner, feeling demoralised

I would go for a (fast) walk while your son does his volunteering. At least while the course is so slippy - there is just no need to be scared and worried.

And run at times that suit you and in a way that you enjoy.

I'm a slow 59-year old runner and always run on my own, enjoying an audiobook or podcast, and exploring different routes and trails. I'm happy Park Run is there for those who like it, but the timing and the crowds just don't suit me.

Yes, when did they stop being called 'fun runs' ?! That sounds so much more, erm, fun, than the various names they get now. I remember my dad doing fun runs when we were kids, and I thought he was just out having 'fun'. I think he was having fun but I later realised a hilly 10k was also a lot of hard work! 😀

This thread has also inspired me to get out there again, for fun, as well as exercise! Thanks OP.

It is fantastic that you get up on a Saturday and go running with lots of other people to witness it. You will gradually get faster if you stick at it bit, even if you don't, it's the getting out and doing it that matters. You feel self conscious being slower than others but I can guarantee they have nothing but admiration for you. As long as you enjoy it, or at least feel good for doing it, then that is all that matters. As a snail like runner myself I salute you for doing park runs.

I did a similar time recently. I'm usually around the 29-33 min zone, but my legs weren't having any of it that day. My whippet-like DS (12) was with me too. When on form, he's nauseatingly fast, but he's been injured and had a break so took it easy on his return. The encouragement is genuine and recognises that people towards the back have put in the effort for longer than those who finish sooner.

Sorry OP I meant to comment on this earlier but forgot.

I have been doing parkrun for over 10 years. Unlike most people who get faster, I have become slower as menopause, weight gain and other things have hit. I count it a success if I am not last before the tail runner. Unfortunately our nearest course is quite a brutal one, so that sometimes happens. I keep doing it because slow as I am, being able to get round 5km at a slightly faster than walking pace is still a marvellous achievement for a 55 year old and great cardio exercise, but also because the volunteers and atmosphere at parkrun are just so marvellous.

The only time I had an issue and posted about it here was when there was some other event going on and an inordinate number of passers by started clapping and cheering as I did my last km. I am sure it was meant in a supportive way, but it did feel a bit like the “good going fatty” that someone mentioned. I don’t mind the volunteers doing it because they cheer everyone, but I also don’t like it when the fast runners shout “well done” when we pass as we’re both doing the same distance.

I just looked, at my local parkrun you’d have had 25 people behind you and 5 took longer than an hour! You will get faster if you do more (if you want to) but doing it at your current speed is also great!

Hrft but i guarantee you are faster than me, i don't even make it to the start line, never mind the finish.

Think 'taking part rather than point scoring..

You beat the millions of people who cba to even get off the sofa op! I think 45 mins is a perfectly good time too if you're not a hard core runner. And you improved by a minute so that's something too

@MyThreeWords yes - there is normally a marshal at every place you might go the wrong way and if not a marshal then an arrow. Also a first timers welcome at the beginning where there is often (but not always) a map and always someone to talk through the route and what happens.

Yes, they have a map on their web page, a copy of it at the start and always do a little talk for newcomers to explain it and there are cones, arrows and marshalls at all the points where you might take a wrong turn.

This lovely thread is making me feel I should do a park run. I never have, but when much younger I did participate in quite a few running events. They tended to be called fun runs in those days.

If my treadmill time were to translate into real-world running time , it would make me 366th out of 474. I'm guessing I am significantly slower in the real world, so will aim at around 420th -- if I have the nerve to go!

The local course route looks a bit complicated. Are the organisers good at having volunteers in place to shoo numpties in the right direction?

I feel your pain in being demoralised. If it makes you feel any better, during the last park run I attempted (and didn’t finish) I was lapped by the following:

an older lady (I think in her early 70s) who was holding the hand of a five year old

a man pushing a double buggy with twins who must have been at least two

a young teen with five dogs on a lead, including two Yorkshire terriers.

The fact that you get to the end at all is impressive. However, if you hate it, you don’t actually HAVE to do it!

I don’t think anyone would shame you for having a go. I’m impressed you’re trying. There are millions and millions of Britishpeople lying in bed or on a sofa while you’re running. You’re faster than all of them.

Honestly. I just go round them when I’m able to. It’s park run not a race. Or I say excuse me can I get by. I have no issue with someone politely saying “coming past on your right” but bellowing at people to “keep left” just seems too much. It’s parkrun and no one is more important than anyone else and so shouldn’t be shouting at them to move one way or the other.

I find it helpful that they call out "keep left" or "coming through", even though I try and listen out, when I'm walking I often walk with someone and chat, and you can forget to listen out and move over. I have never felt patronised either (I finish around 50 mins and am significantly overweight). In fact that's one thing I like is that the fast runners shout out encouragement as they fly past you and the volunteers are lovely and encouraging too. I have to say when I volunteer, it can be tricky to call out sincere sounding encouragement non-stop for an hour as it is repetitive, but I really do try, it is very rewarding seeing all the different people, all ages, shapes, sizes, fitness levels all just doing it their way and being part of that.

The slowest one on the results page at my local Parkrun on Sat was 1:07, so you’re positively flying!

You say they bellow keep left but the alternative is that they don’t let you know they are about to pass you and, worst case scenario, brush past if the path is narrow and you aren’t on one side. What do you think would be the polite way of passing? parkrun should be inclusive of everyone including the fast runners.

I am not at all fast but I see you are. What do you do when you come up behind some people you are going to lap to let them know you are about to come past them?

I’m doing couch to 5k and 45 minutes sounds fast to me! I would be so happy when I could do that!

The volunteers at our local parks runs would hate to think that was the impression that people got. Many of them are slower runners themselves and give everyone genuine encouragement.

park run is just about getting out to do some exercise on a Saturday morning. There are a few men at one of our local ones who take it very seriously and will bellow keep left!!! At people as they storm past them, they even do it to me and I’m not a slow runner, average about a 23 min parkrun. I’d much rather see people taking 40+ mins and getting out there for some community based exercise in the true spirit of parkrun than those guys who think they’re at the Olympics or something (I have no issue with them being fast it’s the shouting at others to move that gets me).

Nooooo of course not, definitely some projection there but also definite change in vibe between the fast ones and the slow ones!

@ResusciAnnie did someone actually say those words? If they did that's appalling and something that should definitely be reported to the run director.

That said, with the cheering I think it helps to take the most positive interpretation if you can. My first 5k was 47 minutes so when I cheer I'm cheering with the full knowledge of exactly what that 47 minutes takes out of a person and how much it hurts. I was once volunteering and a lady thanked us for staying for her even though she was slow and I had to turn away because those words hit me in the gut and I started tearing up. Obviously not all parkruns are created equally but I can say that there are a lot of caring volunteers at mine who would be so upset to think that people were being put off.

Same here OP - they say ‘no one is last’ but that’s patronising bullshit - of course someone is last. The volunteers’ claps get more condescending the slower you are too - I know because people who lapped me were in front of me, finishing, getting proper encouragement and then they turned to me all simpering and were like ‘oh well done you’re doing alright for a fatty! One more lap! You’re amazing’ 😂
Did my first one the other day - 41 mins, not too bad IMO. On the stats there were like 20 people behind me but they must not have finished. I’ll do it again but I can’t see myself getting culty about it! The fantatical aspect of anything is always such a turn off for me.

If you enjoy running keep at it, Im very impressed you do it if you aren't really enjoying it then theres no law you have to run and find a more enjoyable exercise/ pastime.
I Thought i would give running a go just last week due to work i missed out on first few sessions ( they are working on couch to 5 k ) but came on week 4 , i managed the 3 minute runs but doing it on my own and having to do 5 mins I found tough maybe because first bit of run is uphill that and the horrendous weather , was planning to run round a field but too boggy. I think I am not meant to be a runner and it is what I said all along overrated 🤣 . Dont be tough on yourself

Keep at it!

You are a lot faster than me.

Comparison is the thief of joy - not sure if joy applies to beginning running, but comparison is a killer of mojo, so don't do it.