To have been really put off Parkrun by this

[rookiemere]

I'll start by saying I love parkrun. I've done over 130 of them and it's a real treat to discover a new one when we're away on holiday.

Everyone there is lovely and welcoming and it's such a great way to start Saturdays with a 5km run.

I am also older, fat and slow, but this is fine as I'm not there to win it.

So last Saturday headed to one of my usual parkruns with a friend. There was a traffic incident so many people didn't make it. This meant that rather than being in the back 10 or so I ended up being the last person bar the tail runner. Again all fine and someone has to be there.

However for the last km or so as I went past people who were dispersing made a big point of clapping loudly and shouting on encouragement. Obviously meant to be supportive, but I've run so many of the damn things and I just like to be invisible rather than the obviously last, slow ploddy person who people want to help.

I'm actually really nervous about going again, it upset me so much. I could go to one with more runners and then I should be less likely to be right at the back, but its a further drive and the whole thing has knocked my confidence and I don't know what to do.

[rookiemere]

@Thatswhyimacat

Have you not been clapped at a parkrun before? I find the marshals and people in the park are constantly clapping for everyone.

I do get not wanting to be centre of attention for being last though. My DH runs parkrun in about half the time I do, and my tolerance for his encouragement,
after he's lapped me definitely varies.

I don't have an issue about being clapped by the marshals- I like that and thank them for volunteering if I have any breath as I go past.

It was runners that had finished and were heading back to their cars and each group seemed to set another group off. So then they'd all turn round and start clapping for sweaty, fat me.

I do go running once a week with a friend which I love - she kindly goes at my pace.

I think the bit I find hard is the other people are clapping because they think I am at the start of my running journey, when really no this is it and it's unlikely to get any better.

I too hate classes where people cheer you on or call out your name. I just like to hide at the back and do my thing in peace.

[Swingsarefun]

As a fast park runner and regular runner, I cheer slower people on cause they are the people I respect most in the race. Yup I can hammer out a quick park run, it’s what I do all the time, there’s no embarrassment, I’m good at it, but turning up when you’re less fit is just a whole lot tougher mentally. I’m just really impressed that the less fit are getting out there and deciding to get fitter.

God I sound patronising!!!

[rookiemere]

@ChiefFinderOuter

I'm now determined to keep going, primarily to annoy MasterBeth

I suspect that’s easy enough to do ;)

[latetothefisting]

@MasterBeth

No, everyone has to share use of the park's public facilities. For six days a week, people understand that and do so respectfully, turning up to do all sorts of activities that they enjoy. But they don't rope bits of the park off for their own use or block entire pathways or routes through the park. They don't bring amplified electric equipment so their voices can be heard across the park. They don't encourage hundreds of people to come at the same time so that the public toilets and the picnic tables become an unofficial changing rooms and the car parks become completely unusable.

Soooo...go any of the other 6 days a week or just avoid between 8-10on a saturday...not a huge imposition to avoid the park 2 hours out of 168 every week is it?

[WaddleAway]

Wow, who knew people could get so irate about parkrun? Ours is pretty much all over within an hour, hardly causing people untold misery.
Not that I’ve ever actually ran it, as I’m slow and would hate people cheering me on as the OP describes 😂. I’m often in the park at the same time though and it seems like a positive event, even if it does ruin the life of @MasterBeth .
Fingers crossed it was a one off OP, it would be a shame to let one ‘bad’ run prevent you from doing something you usually enjoy.

[eastegg]

@MasterBeth

This is why I will never do Parkrun. Couldn't think of anything worse. It reeks of forced fun and everyone congratulating themselves on how supportive and caring they are while desperately trying to inch their way up the field. Real "Come on, Tim!" Daily Mail energy, with self-important wannabe midle-managers in hi-vis coralling others with megaphones to do their bidding. Passive aggressive pretentious lower-case "p" in all the marketing. And great hordes of "all the gear, no idea" runners imposing themselves on all the local parks on Saturday mornings with no regard for anyone else.

Do you have any actual experience of parkrun? I do, and I don’t recognise a single thing you list. Why must some people jump to stereotype and homogenise in this way?

[QueenoftheAngles]

I can understand why you felt like that OP but the runners who clapped probably aren’t thinking or caring about where you are in your running journey (in the nicest possible way). It’s just an instinctive - ahhh fellow park runner show some support

[cinnamonbiscuit]

Oh I know what you mean OP. When I was starting couch to 5k (for the second time having already completed it but then lost momentum), I was doing one of the ‘run for 90 seconds, walk for 3 minutes’ weeks and when I stopped running someone jogged past and SCREAMED ‘YOU CAN DO IT!!!’ alongside vigorous thumbs up and clapping. I wanted to die/punch them and they were gone before I could answer back at all. These people obviously mean well in most cases but I also find it v off putting and irritating.

If I were you I’d go back but shove some headphones in and ignore! I wish I had your confidence to even do park run!

[SirChenjins]

@Swingsarefun

As a fast park runner and regular runner, I cheer slower people on cause they are the people I respect most in the race. Yup I can hammer out a quick park run, it’s what I do all the time, there’s no embarrassment, I’m good at it, but turning up when you’re less fit is just a whole lot tougher mentally. I’m just really impressed that the less fit are getting out there and deciding to get fitter.

God I sound patronising!!!

Yep I know you mean well, but I was just there for myself, not to impress anyone or garner anyone's respect or for the cheering audience (mortifying) of those who had already finished as I was only half way round.

[twinmum2007]

@rookiemere

I'll start by saying I love parkrun. I've done over 130 of them and it's a real treat to discover a new one when we're away on holiday.

Everyone there is lovely and welcoming and it's such a great way to start Saturdays with a 5km run.

I am also older, fat and slow, but this is fine as I'm not there to win it.

So last Saturday headed to one of my usual parkruns with a friend. There was a traffic incident so many people didn't make it. This meant that rather than being in the back 10 or so I ended up being the last person bar the tail runner. Again all fine and someone has to be there.

However for the last km or so as I went past people who were dispersing made a big point of clapping loudly and shouting on encouragement. Obviously meant to be supportive, but I've run so many of the damn things and I just like to be invisible rather than the obviously last, slow ploddy person who people want to help.

I'm actually really nervous about going again, it upset me so much. I could go to one with more runners and then I should be less likely to be right at the back, but its a further drive and the whole thing has knocked my confidence and I don't know what to do.

Your opinion and your feelings of course, but it's those last minute claps and words of encouragement that get me huffing and puffing up the hill to the finish line. I absolutely love park run and I couldn't care less how many people see me wheezing my way round, red as the reddest tomato and sweating like a sweaty thing.
As you've posted in AIBU....yes, you are. But also, not, as it's none of my business. I thinkbthe volunteers at your parkruns would be mortified to think uou were uncomfortable.

[Fink]

Oh poor you, that sounds awful, I would have been so embarrassed. Thanks for this thread though, it has opened my eyes so that I never sign up for parkrun!

[MasterBeth]

@latetothefisting

Soooo...go any of the other 6 days a week or just avoid between 8-10on a saturday...not a huge imposition to avoid the park 2 hours out of 168 every week is it?

I do. I am forced to.

But, as I have a job and a life, Saturday morning is the ideal time to go running in the local park, or would be if Parkrun hadn't taken it over. And everyone trying to walk a dog, stroll through the gardens, buy a cup of coffee or do anything at our local park is also excluded at the this time (or their experience is, at least, much diminished) in a way that is simply not affected by anyone else's activities.

It's interesting to hear everyone's reactions. I have accused Parkrun of being disruptive and domineering, of imposing itself upon the quiet of the park and everyone's response appears to be "Well, hundreds of people love it" or "It's encouraged lots of people to go running" .

Yes, that's my point. People are so convinced by the untrammelled goodness of Parkrun that they literally cannot bear to consider that it might also be an anti-social activity. As I say, the tyranny of the majority. "We are enjoying ourselves. Clear off until we are done."

[ClaudiaWankleman]

@MasterBeth

This is why I will never do Parkrun. Couldn't think of anything worse. It reeks of forced fun and everyone congratulating themselves on how supportive and caring they are while desperately trying to inch their way up the field. Real "Come on, Tim!" Daily Mail energy, with self-important wannabe midle-managers in hi-vis coralling others with megaphones to do their bidding. Passive aggressive pretentious lower-case "p" in all the marketing. And great hordes of "all the gear, no idea" runners imposing themselves on all the local parks on Saturday mornings with no regard for anyone else.

Bloody hell your life must be miserable.

[eastegg]

@Swingsarefun

As a fast park runner and regular runner, I cheer slower people on cause they are the people I respect most in the race. Yup I can hammer out a quick park run, it’s what I do all the time, there’s no embarrassment, I’m good at it, but turning up when you’re less fit is just a whole lot tougher mentally. I’m just really impressed that the less fit are getting out there and deciding to get fitter.

God I sound patronising!!!

Yes, sorry I know you mean well but that is quite patronising! You can be a fit, slow runner, with no intention or desire to get any faster or fitter. Like me. Always in the bottom 5% or so at parkrun, but I can’t help noticing when I swim that I’m outstripping young men (I’m a 48 year old woman). I keep running, even though I’m not really cut out for it, because it’s a cheap and straightforward way to get the endorphins and keep fitness levels up.

I suppose I’m lucky in that I’m skinny so I don’t get the ‘ah look at that plucky beginner’ vibes. I just get people not understanding how on earth I can be so slow!

[MasterBeth]

@eastegg

Do you have any actual experience of parkrun? I do, and I don’t recognise a single thing you list. Why must some people jump to stereotype and homogenise in this way?

Yes, I do have the experience of my local park being taken over and roped off, while a series of self-important men in hi-viz shout through megaphones at crowds of runners blocking paths and walkways through the park.

[MasterBeth]

@ClaudiaWankleman

Bloody hell your life must be miserable.

Why must my life be miserable?

[angeIica]

Echo advice to wear headphones and zone it out.

It's meant well but there's something forced about it, and 'fake' doesn't seem like a fair description, but I can understand how the newcomers and slower runners find it patronising and dislike the attention. It's not for me either. It put me off trying Parkrun until I could manage the course more quickly than the average.

Not the same thing (but as similar has been said by other posters) but at the end of exercise and dance classes there's a relatively recent thing of applause for the teachers and each other. I join in but I do find it strange. I always thank the teacher/instructors on the way out, if possible, so it's not that.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

I'm going to say something in defence of @MasterBeth , she must be pretty familiar with parkrun as she's picked up on the pass agg lower case p 😄

I'm a regular volunteer and RD and wouldn't touch the daily mail even to clear up my dog's shit, but i do recognise the self-congratulatory atmosphere that hangs around. I'm sometimes not sure whether to clap or cheer the runners and walkers towards the end, mainly because I have run out of things to say but also because some of them look like they're hating every bloody minute which they may well be doing until they're home and checking their time. It's a tricky one and I don't think there is a way to make sure everyone has a great experience all the time. Just keep going until it's your turn for the arbitrary 200th t-shirt!

And @MasterBeth you are entitled to hate parkrun and everything it stands for but hopefully you will be very pissed off for many more saturdays to come.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe]

Headphones are your only option if you want to carry on. It's quite clear that those who shout after people running have no intention of stopping doing that, regardless. Some people enjoy having this sort of encouragement and nuts to the people don't, they have to put up with it.

I do know what you mean, I don't like it either. I don't run but I box and sometimes there's a class going on at the same time whilst I'm having a session. I keep to myself, zone out and keep out of the way. Without fail, I get "Wow, well done!" from somebody in the class and it really pisses me off. I don't need or want encouragement/validation.

I don't know what the answer is but your post OP is exactly why I won't do parkrun or the like. Sorry to all the bystanders who think they're being supportive to everyone. For some, they are - for others though they are a barrier to engaging at all.

[angeIica]

Sorry, but that does sound patronising @Swingsarefun At least you're aware though!

[MasterBeth]

@Ihaventgottimeforthis

I'm going to say something in defence of @MasterBeth , she must be pretty familiar with parkrun as she's picked up on the pass agg lower case p 😄

I'm a regular volunteer and RD and wouldn't touch the daily mail even to clear up my dog's shit, but i do recognise the self-congratulatory atmosphere that hangs around. I'm sometimes not sure whether to clap or cheer the runners and walkers towards the end, mainly because I have run out of things to say but also because some of them look like they're hating every bloody minute which they may well be doing until they're home and checking their time. It's a tricky one and I don't think there is a way to make sure everyone has a great experience all the time. Just keep going until it's your turn for the arbitrary 200th t-shirt!

And @MasterBeth you are entitled to hate parkrun and everything it stands for but hopefully you will be very pissed off for many more saturdays to come.

There you go - that's the spirit :)!

[Pinkblanket]

I've run in one 10km race and will never enter another as I hated the cheering and clapping and being watched so much. I've never done a park run for a whole host of reasons, but if this is what happens it sounds like it is definitely not for me. I actually prefer running alone really.

[QueenoftheAngles]

@MasterBeth

I do. I am forced to.

But, as I have a job and a life, Saturday morning is the ideal time to go running in the local park, or would be if Parkrun hadn't taken it over. And everyone trying to walk a dog, stroll through the gardens, buy a cup of coffee or do anything at our local park is also excluded at the this time (or their experience is, at least, much diminished) in a way that is simply not affected by anyone else's activities.

It's interesting to hear everyone's reactions. I have accused Parkrun of being disruptive and domineering, of imposing itself upon the quiet of the park and everyone's response appears to be "Well, hundreds of people love it" or "It's encouraged lots of people to go running" .

Yes, that's my point. People are so convinced by the untrammelled goodness of Parkrun that they literally cannot bear to consider that it might also be an anti-social activity. As I say, the tyranny of the majority. "We are enjoying ourselves. Clear off until we are done."

Your final paragraph is a bit hyperbolic. Most people can see other points of view, posters on this thread have said on the basis of the OPs experience that Parkrun wouldn’t be for them. I completely accept that there are lots of people who dislike Parkrun and find it irritating, that’s something I can bear to think. It’s not the tyranny of the majority it’s simply that whoever is in charge of your local park has allowed it to be used for Parkrun presumably because it’s considered that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages to the community as a whole.

[Coughee]

The local parkrun I go to brings in loads of money for the country park in parking tickets and cafe spending. We are also always reminded that the park is not ours for exclusive use and to respect other park users. By a woman run director with no megaphone. Maybe that makes it more acceptable.

Op, I agree with a previous poster that there's no reason to think people assume you've just started running. At my park run there are the same people regularly at the back. They are obviously committed, consistent, strong runners (some of whom I've seen at local races), they just happen to be at the back.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Ha I don't think by any means I embody the spirit of parkrun, in fact I often do feel a bit fake and patronising and sometimes even hate myself a little for becoming part of the machine.
I can see why people really detest the parkrun behemoth but the benefits people feel i think far far outweighs the bad.