Racing through the threads - runners thread number 5

[Sirzy]

Thread for all runners no matter how slow or inexperienced you are.

Last thread can be found here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/exercise/2066700-Keep-on-running-runners-thread-number-4?

Well done amber and polka. Fantastic times the both of you.

Running in the New Forest sounds lovely briteside

Any NI parkrunners get the message about the Scottish group coming over the 20th June to run all 18 NI park runs over the weekend? Was on my local fb parkrun page last night if we wanted to join them or run the course with them when they hit ours on the Sunday.

Eek, just had the email through confirming I'm volunteering at our parkrun this Saturday.

I'm down as back up timer, wondering if that's a bit too much responsibility for me! Anyone got any experience. Also - blathers do you know if they usually have pacers at MK? Didn't realise that was a potential role but would like to do that...I guess it's too late to switch now, though?

Timekeeping is easy! You press one button to start and another button with each runner that crosses the line :) I'd say that timekeeping is essential but pacers aren't and at this stage you may make it tricky for the RD to find another timekeeper at short notice. The good thing about pacing and tail running is you still get a run towards your T-shirt

Don't panic fingers :) You're back-up timer rather than timekeeper so basically all you need to do is press go on the stop watch at the start and then again whenever anyone crosses the line. We have to date never used the back up timer results. You will be fine. I screwed them up when I did it and we coped

Your RD this week is another of the newbies (just like me) but he is really good and very friendly. If you're all all worried, just have a word with him and he will make sure you know what you're doing and are happy.

Pacers aren't usually on the roster as we only tend to have them at special events but as it's done in month long chunks they're showing at the moment as there will be pacers on the 14th June. Not sure what's happening that week but the Event Director is in charge that week so he must be organising something.

If you really wanted to swap, you'll likely be offered either number checker (running up and down the funnel making sure the timekeeper and the finish tokens are on the same number) or marshal.

I've managed to make it onto the volunteer roster for Cleepthorpes parkrun this weekend as my friend is the ED and I offered to help while I'm there. It's looking like it's going to rain heavily all day though which is a bit of a shame. I'd promised the kids a day on the beach but I can't see that happening now :(

And yes, please don't swap now :)

Reading back that's not clear - you'll be pressing the button as people cross the finish line as well as the timekeeper. You're only there as back up for if something goes wrong with the timekeeper's results. So far, nothing has gone so wrong that we couldn't use them.

Go and have a go. Take a raincoat and make sure you put enough time on the parking ticket that you have time to go to the cafe afterwards. You'll have a lovely time :)

Ah, we just have two timekeepers and take whichever stopwatch is most accurate for results :)

Morrigu, I hadn't seen that - where are the details?

I've done back-up timekeeper a couple of times....but then the main timekeeper's machine has had a fault so it's been my numbers that were used. Honestly, I think it's the most responsible of the all the volunteer roles (which is why there's usually a back-up). EVERYONE wants to know their time.

But remember - it's a run, not a race. The times are not guaranteed to be accurate. If they're wrong, well it's not the end of the world. There's always people who dont take a token, or cross the line twice, or don't manage to get counted. But the Run Director can usually cope with all these little issues.

I'm volunteering this week too, but the RD just assigns roles when we all get there.

I am back-up time keeping tomorrow too fingers! It's my 2nd time though, and like you I assumed I'd be a marshal on my first volunteer time.
But it's really not tricky (esp here with less than 100 runners) and it's lovely to cheer people over the line

"But the Run Director can usually cope with all these little issues"

It's sentences like this that make me feel a bit sick when contemplating being RD on my own for the first time!

It's a big responsibility I know, I have huge admiration for our RD! She keeps a notebook and writes down all the missed finishes, no tokens taken etc. We usually work as a trio - 2 timekeepers and token giver. We'll periodically check that we're all on the same number and time, we'll keep an eye out for any "funnies", so we can say to the RD "Oh, someone didn't cross the line at about number 52"

Hurray! At last a run after food poisoning misery last weekend. 3 gentle miles so does that make it 1003? Someone check! Felt great to be out again, will leave it till Monday now I think, busy weekend ahead. Good luck with all the park run volunteering

Morning! I've got 4 miles to add today. Week three of c25k is much harder isn't it? Christ I walked home instead of my usual slow jog because I was exhausted.

For anyone that knows, DD is on the mend, we came home from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon and she's gone in for the last day of term at nursery. Thank you for all your well wishes

I did three miles yesterday morning which I've not added yet. So along with Tess's that's 1010 .

I've got a hangover today for the first time in AGES - certainly the first time this year! So I'm not sure about running...

Glad to hear you're feeling better emummy and your ds TessTackle.

My friend who RD's too always says if someone's not happy they can have their money back but I know I'd be upset if I pb'd and the time was wrong but it's just one of those things and I appreciate that everyone is a volunteer after all!

Thankfully, our ED feels the same cinnamon. When I was considering becoming an RD I told him I was panicking about being responsible for so many people's results (we have 500+ runners!) and he pointed out that while results are nice, it's not what parkrun is supposed to be about and even if it did all go horribly wrong, it's not the end of the world.

Still don't want it to be me that messes it up though!

Glad you're feeling better emummy and that your DD is improving Tess.

Ooh, thanks all, esp blathers for all the advice about pr volunteering

No, I def won't swap now - it'll be fine, it's only back up, right? And if the weather is rubbish there's no way 500 people will turn up again, right?

Should I put 2 hours on the car if I need to be there from 8:30 blathers, woudl that do it? I actually need to fit in a run tomorrow so was considering doing one afterwards, but my knee is still a bit stiff so I may save it for the treadmill later..

tess glad your DD is on the mend and well done at getting out for a run!

Nah, if it's raining you should only get 400 or so

I'd go for 2 hours in the car park yes. Should be £1.20. I tend to go for the next level up which is 4 hours but I know lots of people there now and chatting takes a while :)

Will be back in 2 weeks to say Hi.

I am back from a little (2.7 mile) run. After a chaotic morning my option was a run or yell at someone!!! It was drizzling and was actually lovely to be out.

Our new total is 1012.7 miles

I do have a confession to make I tried that Zombies, Run! app. In my defense, I am looking for a way to incorporate speedwork into some of my runs and I am hopeless at doing it by myself.

I must admit that it was very good fun. I would not use the app every run, but certainly would use it again.

HURRY UP 6PM I WANT TO NOT LOOK AT A TODDLER AND GO FOR A RUN

I managed 2 and a bit slow and flat miles yesterday after over 2 weeks off (Garmin couldn't find a fix to start with), so I think it is safe to say we are on 1015. And no more foot pain, so I think I'm OK on that side, although the other achilles and calf still hurt a lot

MelanieCheeks c&p off fb page;

^On Friday 20th June a group of Scottish parkrunners will arrive in Larne to do all 18 NI parkrun courses in three days starting with Larne at 11.30am. This adds up to two marathons in three days plus some change

Friday
Larne, Ecos, Portrush, Derry City, Enniskillen, Armagh (stay overnight Armagh)
Saturday
Citypark 9.30, Musa, Antrim, Waterworks, Falls, Wallace, Queens (stay Belfast)
Sunday
Ormeau, Victoria, Bangor, Comber, Carrickfergus, Boat

This is NOT an official parkrun event however we thought some of our parkrunners may want to join in or join the runners on the local course.

As soon as we have the time when the runners will be at the local parkrun course we'll post thus. If you're interested in joining in the event we can out you in touch with the Scottish parkrunners^

Plus 8.5 is 1023.5
Cor, been a while since I've run that far!
Glad I'm volunteering tomorrow!

1027

Had body pump class this morning but did a quick 3.5 miles this afternoon as off on holiday tomo!

Wow melanie sounds awesome! I will be in Donegal in August - might see if I can nip across the border and do the Derry parkrun.