Page 2 | AIBU to back out of park run

Davepartyof3 · 2023-02-10T18:08:07+00:00

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?!

BIWI · 10/02/2023 18:23

Why not start doing C25K as well? That way you'll soon build up the ability to run for longer distances.

Redcrayons · 10/02/2023 18:29

I’ve been the tail walker loads of times and it’s my favourite volunteer role because is usually spend the whole time chatting with the newbies.

Loads of people walk it.

Paturday · 10/02/2023 18:30

YANBU, no one cares if you do it honestly other than you, so if you don’t want to do it then don’t. Life is short!

needanewnamechange · 10/02/2023 18:31

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 😂

It’s not pity clap a lot of those clapping have been last and felt like you . Yes there are some fast runners but the ones who want to get fit and are the slowest are the real inspiration because they have got off their arse to do it .
a guy from my park run was several stone overweight but turns up every single Saturday and has done amazing . He’s getting gradually quicker and everyone is so proud of him there is no pity clap for him because they are inspired at him he never gives up no matter how hard as he sees he’s progressed and making real change to himself.

Paturday · 10/02/2023 18:32

needanewnamechange · 10/02/2023 18:31

It’s not pity clap a lot of those clapping have been last and felt like you . Yes there are some fast runners but the ones who want to get fit and are the slowest are the real inspiration because they have got off their arse to do it .
a guy from my park run was several stone overweight but turns up every single Saturday and has done amazing . He’s getting gradually quicker and everyone is so proud of him there is no pity clap for him because they are inspired at him he never gives up no matter how hard as he sees he’s progressed and making real change to himself.

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God that sounds so patronising to me 😄 takes all sorts I guess!

Theyweretheworstoftimes · 10/02/2023 18:35

Don't back out. It will change your life. Also parkwalk makes it so incredibly inclusive. It's free and you will get a very warm welcome. No one comes last.

CornedBeefandCarnage · 10/02/2023 18:35

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 😂

All of this! It was mortifying plus they took my photo and put it on FB 😩

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:36

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

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I never mentioned park walker.

ChicoryDip · 10/02/2023 18:38

Many of us that tail walk need the slower walkers at the back. I don't want to have to break into a jog to keep up with the back of the field, I'm there for a walk and a chat!

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:39

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.

If the usual finish times are way under a hour, I would say yes there is as people who do it are volunteers and don't want to be there all day.

If you are taking way over a hour I'd do my walks independent to parkrun as it's unfair to volunteers.

Nimbostratus100 · 10/02/2023 18:41

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:39

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.

If the usual finish times are way under a hour, I would say yes there is as people who do it are volunteers and don't want to be there all day.

If you are taking way over a hour I'd do my walks independent to parkrun as it's unfair to volunteers.

rubbish, this is completely against the park run ethos, and all my personal experience as a participant and as a back marker over many years at many locations

wormshuffled · 10/02/2023 18:41

Park run is great, so friendly and encouraging. Go with the intention of run/walking it and if you can't run at all don't worry! There will be exclusive walkers. You will be able to see previous results to give you an idea of times and numbers. It will change your life if you get the bug!

BIWI · 10/02/2023 18:41

parkrun is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along.

From their website

Definitely not 'unfair to volunteers' @Againstmachine and your post is definitely contrary to the spirit of parkrun

Fairislefandango · 10/02/2023 18:41

Nooooo! Don't back out! Parkrun is hugely inclusive! There are super-fit, fast runners, and people who slowly walk the whole thing and everything in between,including tiny little kids, very large people and octogenarians. Everyone gets support, everyone is encouraged as they cross the line. It's absolutely lovely.

Dacadactyl · 10/02/2023 18:42

@Nimbostratus100 I agree with you. Totally against the ethos of parkrun.

PinkDaffodil2 · 10/02/2023 18:44

Have a look at the page for your local run and see what the usual slowest few times are - I imagine it varies quite a lot depending on the demographic and size of the crowd.
I used to power walk to work which was exactly 5k and do the couch to 5k back. It took about 40 minutes walking pretty fast.

megletthesecond · 10/02/2023 18:45

against nothing is unfair to volunteers. We are genuinely happy to wait for everyone for as long as they take.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 10/02/2023 18:48

I've tailwalked and started my running with walk/runs at parkrun and love the positive energy at all speeds! Volunteers won't mind, or at least none of the ones I know would (and know many as I'm a run director).

You'll be fine whatever speed you are.

rainyskylight · 10/02/2023 18:49

Please don’t back out!
the first time I did ParkRun, I set off at too fast a pace, tried to keep it up with pants of “I’m dying I’m dying” and ended up having to sit out the second of the three laps. I dragged myself round to do the third lap (my second).
the next time I paced myself, did some walking, some jogging etc. when I did my first one without walking any of it I was so happy. I’ve now done over 100 - interrupted by covid and having a baby - and although I’m not very fast it is excellent exercise and the most amazing and positive start to the weekend.

there have been times when I’ve been jet lagged or recently ill and I’ve genuinely been in the last ten of the ParkRun. I’ve never been embarrassed, just glad I managed to do it.

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:50

BIWI · 10/02/2023 18:41

parkrun is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along.

From their website

Definitely not 'unfair to volunteers' @Againstmachine and your post is definitely contrary to the spirit of parkrun

When they changed it to park walk past year many volunteers were unhappy with the changes, this did happen.

Just because people are volunteers doesn't mean they sign up to lose their whole Saturday morning.

saraclara · 10/02/2023 18:51

I really regret not doing Park run when I was trying to do a bit of running. At home I was doing 3k, initially a mix of running and walking, and eventually managing the 3k without walking, a couple of times

Friends encouraged me to do park run and said everything that people are saying here. But I was too proud to walk much of it. I was stupid.

Now I'm in my late 60s rather than my very early 60s as I was then. The best I can do is walk it briskly. But I'm actually tempted now.

Nimbostratus100 · 10/02/2023 18:55

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:50

When they changed it to park walk past year many volunteers were unhappy with the changes, this did happen.

Just because people are volunteers doesn't mean they sign up to lose their whole Saturday morning.

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I respectfully suggest you are not the right person to volunteer

2bazookas · 10/02/2023 18:55

There will be lots of people walking it for all sorts of reasons, all ages sizes and conditions.

saraclara · 10/02/2023 18:55

Againstmachine · 10/02/2023 18:50

When they changed it to park walk past year many volunteers were unhappy with the changes, this did happen.

Just because people are volunteers doesn't mean they sign up to lose their whole Saturday morning.

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Why are you trying to put people off?

If volunteers don't want to do this, then they can stop volunteering. Or only volunteer with the runners. I have a couple of friends who are volunteers and they are passionate about getting people like me to come along. They'd be infuriated by your posts.

Putting the likes of me off getting into a good, social exercise routine is pretty shit of you, frankly.

bobbytorq · 10/02/2023 18:59

As others have said, lots of people walk it. I've not been for a year or so due to long covid but I chould get out and do it really