Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Parkrun newbie

10 replies

NotANotMan · 22/09/2018 13:17

I did my first parkrun today. I've done couch to 5k and can run 5k on my own at a very slow plod (45 minutes)
I sort of assumed there would be others running that slow but there bloody weren't! Pushed me to do it in 38 minutes and I was still 145/152.

Don't get me wrong I'm proud of myself but I don't want to be the last person under 60! Is this usual? Are parkruns actually quite competitive?

OP posts:

kierenthecommunity · 22/09/2018 13:21

Not my experience of parkrun admittedly. May be worth looking at previous weeks to see if finishing this quickly is the norm. But they shouldn’t be forcing you to run at a pace that makes you uncomfortable. Are there any others around?

Congrats on the PB though 👍🏻

rookiemere · 22/09/2018 13:22

That's a fast parkrun!
I hover around 35-38 mins dependant on the week I've had and whilst I'm generally in the bottom 10% the only time I was last was when I did one on holiday with SIL at a walk/run pace and took 50 mins

StarfishSandwich · 22/09/2018 13:23

In my experience it depends massively on the individual event. There are lots near us and the bigger ones (3-400ish people) range from 15 mins to over an hour for run times. I’d imagine with only 152 people running, it’s a smaller event with more ‘regulars’ and the times are more likely to be a bit shorter.

Don’t let that put you off though! You’ve already proved you can cut 7 mins off your PB! You’re lucky as you’re relatively early on in your running journey, you’ll probably improve quite steadily. You won’t be at the back for long!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness

Parkrunner25 · 22/09/2018 13:26

They're really not competitive at all. Please don't fell like toy have to go any faster than you want to. There's no shame in being slower than anyone else, 5k is 5k regardless of whether it takes 20 minutes or an hour.

The average time it takes to complete a Parkrun in the UK has actually INCREASED year on year. This is something Parkrun HQ is pleased about, as they genuinely want everyone in the community to feel able to participate.

From a personal point of view, I often tailwalk at my local Parkrun, and am genuinely happy to go at whatever pace suits the slowest participant. I would hate to think that anyone was going faster than they wanted for my benefit.

Well done on your first Parkrun, I hope it's the first of many for you. It's s lovely community to be part of.

PigPogtastic · 22/09/2018 13:36

It does vary a lot. At my local parkrun, with around 150 taking part a week, we have a few run/walkers or full walkers. So our tail walker will usually come in around 45-60 mins.

Original poster

NotANotMan · 22/09/2018 13:43

Nobody pushed me to speed up but I didn't want to be last
Thanks! I'm pleased with myself. Loved the fact of having a set route that I had to follow and couldn't just decide to cut it short and proud that I did it so much faster than my usual speed

OP posts:

Knackerelli · 22/09/2018 13:45

I wanted to add my congratulations too! I’ve really benefited from my local one, not just for the exercise but also socially. I’ve now got a very supportive group of friends and a weekly run can be a pushing it to get a great time or a lovely chatty sociable run. I really hope that it doesn’t put you off, absolutely run at your pace. Parkrun is for everyone, from the whippets at the front to the people at the rear. Whether you do it in 15 mins or 50 it’s still a 5k and a great start to a weekend.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 22/09/2018 13:58

Congratulations! That time would put you ahead of a good 50/60 people at my local Park Run. Either way, whether your first or last, it's about setting your own goals and Park Run provides a great focus to help people achieve them.

Sorry10 · 22/09/2018 14:14

Well done
I'm one of the slowest, pb today at 41 mins but I don't care I love it I hope to get faster . I'm proud of myself that I go on my own although I do know some people that go not always there . I think park runs are great don't know why more people don't do them .

AuntieStella · 22/09/2018 14:30

Well done!

No it's not competitive, but some are 'faster' then others - might be terrain, or it might just be who goes that day. But don't fret about it - you've run 5K in a good time!

Also, I find that the first time I run a course I'm always slower than subsequent times - must be something about knowing the ground? You've set a great benchmark for future runs, and might see your time improve s. Do more. But it really doesn't matter if you don't - Parkrun is about taking part, nit how you do.

Flip