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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to back out of park run

154 replies

Davepartyof3 · 10/02/2023 18:08

AIBU to back out of park run because I’ve realised how far it is and I’m super unfit.
I am fairly slim but my fitness is that I could run to the end of the road. Will I be the only person who is basically walking it?!

OP posts:
Lilliflip · 10/02/2023 18:09

Watching for replies! I work with a load of park runners, and they are encouraging me to do it but I can’t run due to back surgery. They assure me ‘loads’ of people walk but I think it would be humiliating with people lapping me ☹️

SouthCountryGirl · 10/02/2023 18:11

You'll be fine. There might even be a park walker.

A lot of people walk it

Dacadactyl · 10/02/2023 18:12

Not at all, there'll be many people walking it or run walking it!

They have a tailwalker so you are never the last person over the line. The tailwalker chats to the people at the back and makes them comfortable.

Give it a go, youll be welcomed and fine. I bet you'll even enjoy it.

BitOutOfPractice · 10/02/2023 18:13

ParkRun is literally the most inclusive and friendly and least judgey place on earth!

user1473878824 · 10/02/2023 18:13

I think loads of people walk it but… why did you sign up if you don’t run?!

Emanresu9 · 10/02/2023 18:14

If you Google your specific park run and results then you’ll be able to view last weeks results and times. I think if you power walked it would take about 50-55 mins to do 5km. So have a look at the results and you’ll see if you’d be last.

you won’t be. There will definitely be many walkers and slow joggers unless it’s a very small field of runners where you are.

Dacadactyl · 10/02/2023 18:14

Lilliflip · 10/02/2023 18:09

Watching for replies! I work with a load of park runners, and they are encouraging me to do it but I can’t run due to back surgery. They assure me ‘loads’ of people walk but I think it would be humiliating with people lapping me ☹️

The frontrunners at our park run lap loads of people, even those of us who run the whole thing. Don't worry about that at all! Everyone's just concentrating on themselves, so don't let that people will lap you put you off. It happens to loads of us!

tulippa · 10/02/2023 18:14

Do Couch to 5k first to build up your confidence?

megletthesecond · 10/02/2023 18:14

You'll be fine. Go as slow as you need
They will have a tail walker or two who's job it is to stay at the very back.
If you check the volunteer rota for that parkrun they may also have parkwalkers.

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 10/02/2023 18:15

No one comes last at Parkrun! People walk it the whole way, I promise you will be fine and everyone will be supportive

MajorCarolDanvers · 10/02/2023 18:15

Loads of people walk or jog very, very slowly.

50but17inside · 10/02/2023 18:16

I went once. I did the slowest jog imaginable, and I came over the line last. Incredibly kind people stayed and pity clapped me over the line. I nearly died of humiliation. Never again 😂

IForgotOurSong · 10/02/2023 18:16

I’m a poor runner but I always find parkrun very welcoming for anyone that wants to take part.

Thepeopleversuswork · 10/02/2023 18:17

You’ll be fine. Masses of people walk it. It’s designed for everyone.

imaginationhasfailedme · 10/02/2023 18:17

I found it really inclusive and supportive, all the speedy runners at the front encourage the slower plodders (me) as they're walking off home, it's honestly very friendly. Not competitive unless you're in the very front. I cried the first time I managed it and didn't walk any bits - people were saying well done, it was quite magical really!
I realise I sound like a twat but give it a go!

MyNameIsErinQuin · 10/02/2023 18:17

Definitely go for it. There are always tail walkers who are happy to chat. Enjoy.

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:17

SouthCountryGirl · 10/02/2023 18:11

You'll be fine. There might even be a park walker.

A lot of people walk it

There should always be a tail runner/walker it's park of park run regs someone at back who volunteered to finish last, I have done the tail walker role I don't mind if people run or walk.

But agree with people look at last week's finish times to see if you can do it in similar Times.

That said parkrun organization are encouraging walking, however I wouldn't want people to be waitng over a hour.

Nimbostratus100 · 10/02/2023 18:18

there will be back markers, they will be friendly and helpful - at least almost all of them are. I have done "parkrun" within two weeks of major surgery, which was literally just a crawl, 1 hour 30 mins, and I was just as welcome and supported as the speedy runners. If you go to a bigger meet, there will be more participants in every category. Its possible to drop out at any stage, and especially easy to do so if it is a course made up of several laps.

Good luck, I am sure you will be glad you have done it, and it is great to see your time improve over the weeks

SouthCountryGirl · 10/02/2023 18:19

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:17

There should always be a tail runner/walker it's park of park run regs someone at back who volunteered to finish last, I have done the tail walker role I don't mind if people run or walk.

But agree with people look at last week's finish times to see if you can do it in similar Times.

That said parkrun organization are encouraging walking, however I wouldn't want people to be waitng over a hour.

Show quote history

Park walker and tail walker are two different things. Park walker was introduced in October and isn't compulsory

Yorkshiredolls · 10/02/2023 18:20

Get out and do it! You will not be last, they have tail walkers who’s job is to be last and they be well behind you. Or you could volunteer to be tail walker and then its your job to be last? It is looking dry and mild for most places tomorrow so the perfect day to get out and feel good. If you put it off til next week it’ll probably be pissing it down and blowing a gail!

Dacadactyl · 10/02/2023 18:20

SouthCountryGirl · 10/02/2023 18:19

Park walker and tail walker are two different things. Park walker was introduced in October and isn't compulsory

Show quote history

What's a park walker please? Iv not been to park run since about March last year.

AltitudeCheck · 10/02/2023 18:21

As everyone else has said it doesn't matter if you run, walk or jog it. You can even duck out before the end if you really can't manage to walk the whole 5km (just don't go through the finishing funnel and collect a token)... It's super friendly. If you don't fancy participating then sign up as a volunteer, tail walker, finishers funnel, marshall etc and you'll soon see that you won't be out of place no matter your speed / fitness level.

Mouk · 10/02/2023 18:21

I will attending my first parkrun tomorrow and I will be walking the whole thing!

Nimbostratus100 · 10/02/2023 18:21

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:17

There should always be a tail runner/walker it's park of park run regs someone at back who volunteered to finish last, I have done the tail walker role I don't mind if people run or walk.

But agree with people look at last week's finish times to see if you can do it in similar Times.

That said parkrun organization are encouraging walking, however I wouldn't want people to be waitng over a hour.

Show quote history

nothing wrong with over an hour - I was well over an hour after surgery, and I wasn't last , as there was other people there with serious medical conditions. I have been back marker too, when I was fit a and healthy, and had no problems at all with people taking over an hour.

But look at the last weeks records for your run, if you think you will take significantly longer than their normal last participant, then I would mention it at the start, so the back markers and time keepers know what to expect

Nimbostratus100 · 10/02/2023 18:23

I may attend tomorrow if I wake up in time, and I am three days after my most recent chemotherapy dose. I will not be fast. I will probably not finish. Thats fine