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Original poster

parkrunners Assemble! DFYB for a run, not a race!

999 replies

FiftyNineOhEight · 14/08/2016 10:54

Gather here parkrunners old and new. Tell us all about your running, volunteering, juniors, tourism, Cake and cows.

Old thread here for anyone interested.

We are probably the best thread on MN. All are welcome here whether you are brand new to parkrun or sporting your 500 shirt.

OP posts:
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Original poster
FiftyNineOhEight · 24/08/2016 21:53

Well done fluffi no shame in being last Smile

As for you pidj, anyone who gets out of the house before 09:00 on Saturday mornings with a small and a toddler and then voluntarily walks 5K is a hero in my book. When ours were little I used to get up with them and do the supermarket shop while Dh had a lie in, and he'd get up on Sundays and take them to the park so I could catch up on sleep. None of this running malarkey, neither of us did any exercise when we had young children.

OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 24/08/2016 21:58

I'm still carrying 3 stone of baby weight. Dieting just makes me grumpy and doesn't lead to any actual weight loss. Getting two smalls out of the house at 8:30 is definitely the preferable option!

Drquin · 24/08/2016 22:22

Ooooh hello ....

I've only done one PR ...... Planning my second one this Saturday, where we are taking part in the "I am Team GB" thingy ...... Supposed to wear red, white & blue!

I was second last ..... The tail runner kindly recorded a time 2 seconds slower than me, and that's with her stopping to pick up cones at the end Blush
I said I'd done no training .... So it was lovely to hear someone say "but this is training".
Came in at 45 mins ...... But I'm on a health-kick this year, I'm fitter than I was 8 months ago and very nearly 4 stone lighter. So I know I'll get quicker Smile

But volunteered a couple of weeks' ago ..... How stressful being on the stopwatch!

Freshprincess · 24/08/2016 22:59

How stressful being on the stopwatch! Grin I put myself on the roster a couple of weeks ago and specifically said that I'll do anything except the stopwatches. Waaaaaayy too much responsibility for me.

cinnamongreyhound · 25/08/2016 08:18

I've got my pe skirt for Saturday Smile

Timekeeping is my most favourite job at parkrun!

feetheart · 25/08/2016 08:28

Timekeeping is DS's favourite job too, he's 10 :)
It really isn't very difficult, there are usually two of you, you can fix a multitude of things via the computer and the worst that can happen is everyone gets 59:59 and they all come back the following week and try again.

0ellenbrody0 · 25/08/2016 08:40

I'd be FAR to scared to be a timer! The Responsibility!!
I'll stick to marshalling, I'm quite good at clapping and calling out encouragement Smile
DD is quite keen to be a barcode scanner............might just be able to manage that! I'm running this Saturday but volunteering the week after in my plan of 5 runs then a volunteer. I'm iff shopping now, might try and finf something patriotic to wear on Saturday. 🇬🇧

Blatherskite · 25/08/2016 09:28

I know both my local parkruns are doing I am Team GB but I'm not sure they're doing any dress up. I'd better check!

This weekend will be my 150th parkrun!! Well, UK at least. I guess I should take cakes.

fluffiphlox · 25/08/2016 13:24

150! Good on you.

swampytiggaa · 25/08/2016 19:02

I like timekeeping :) and tail running :) and barcode scanning :)

I have now been asked if I would like to become a running group leader :) can't do the first course on offer as it clashes with our junior parkrun second birthday but will do the next one!

Seriously if my pe teacher from school could see me now she would have a heart attack and die! I used to forget my kit on cross country days ;)

londonmummy1966 · 25/08/2016 19:17

Swampy definitely do it - I did the course a few years ago and it was one of the most fun days I have ever had (obviously don't get out enough). My old PE teacher would be having a heart attack - I always got voted PE captain as I was so bad at it and used every excuse in the book to avoid PE. Just a shame that neither running nor swimming were ever on the curriculum as they are the 2 things I enjoy doing - in common with the majority of adult women. What is it about PE teachers that makes them insist that chucking a ball around at head height with a lacrosse stick is going to be a foundation for healthy lifestyles in the future?

needyounow · 25/08/2016 19:22

Can I join you all please.
I am considering going along to my first park run in a few weeks. Need to workout logistics of getting there, will involve car and two busses as I won't drive right in to the city. But think it will give me that extra motivation to get back into running properly after an injury I had.

standingonlego · 25/08/2016 19:33

Tourism on the cards this weekend as we are away at CarFest, working out the closest parkrun to our hotel.

And exciting news...a brand new parkrun is starting near my parents home on 10th September
(brierly park, notts) Gutted we are away that weekend so cannot go to the inaugural but plan a visit soon after.

And final news...my BF (59, feet and blathers - have met her) is being RD at Poole in a couple of weeks Grin.

standingonlego · 25/08/2016 19:35

And most importantly a big hello and welcome to needyouknow plus a big wave to everyone else

MelanieCheeks · 25/08/2016 20:11

Hello NeedYou, enjoy your first parkrun, and do come back and tell us all about it!

150 Blathers, wow! Cake, deffo.

needyounow · 25/08/2016 21:12

Thanks Standing and Melanie.
Are people generally friendly and welcoming? I'm hoping this will be a good way to maybe make some friends.

Any advice for my first run?

Thanks

standingonlego · 25/08/2016 22:34

People are friendly and welcoming in my experience. Lots of folk on this thread who have run at parkruns all over the country as locals and tourists (some more than others - looking at you blathers Wink) and always a postive and warm welcome. Remember your barcode and get there a little earlier on your first week as there might be a first timers briefing. If you want to, share a bit more info on where you are and maybe someone on here might have visited already.

I have meet some lovely folk at parkrun and through this thread

Original poster
FiftyNineOhEight · 25/08/2016 23:02

needyounow we moved to a new town three years ago and I didn't know a soul. DH and I both commute for work and our DCs weren't at school so I had no real way of meeting people. I started going to parkrun and have met a wonderful group of friends.

OP posts:
londonmummy1966 · 26/08/2016 09:18

Hello needyou I am new to parkrun and have found everyone very friendly. Get there a bit early. I stuck to the tail runner for the first KM or so of my first run as everyone at the back is more interested in having a chat than getting a pb. It got me over the starting line and the jitters....

Good luck

Not parkrunning this weekend as we are in Oxford and there are nicer 5k routes - was thinking of the river somewhere...

MyBlackCat · 26/08/2016 09:24

Anyone running in fancy dress this weekend? I'm touristing and plan to be a team GB hockey player complete with stick Grin all part of #iamteamgb

feetheart · 26/08/2016 16:35

Welcome needyounow - almost everyone at every parkrun I have been to has been very friendly apart from one uber-tourist who swore at one of our regulars and shocked everyone Angry I have met lots of lovely, interesting people , the joy is that everyone goes so you meet all sorts of people of different ages, lifestyles, cultures, etc and we all have parkrun in common. Looking round our post-parkrun cafe you can see all sorts of people who might never have met had it not been for parkrun - that makes me very happy :)

Hockey attire sounds fab MyBlackCat We have said come in 'sportswear (any sport), national colours or anything Olympic-related' so all bases covered I hope!!

Is it the LiRF course swampytiggaa? I did it in there Spring and loved it - very intense day but it flew by as it was so interesting and well run.

Lego - yikes at being RD at Poole! That's a big one isn't it? Wish her good luck, I'm sure she will love it.

Right, need to make cake for tomorrow.
Enjoy your 150 Blathers - I remember the cake for your 100th - yummy :)

MelanieCheeks · 26/08/2016 16:45

Hockey gear sounds fab, Black Cat!

As a serial tourist, I can confirm that it is the friendliness and welcomingness of parkrun that is universal, I have found it easily at every run I've been to.

I'm featured in this month's work in-house magazine, and of course they've chosen the pic of me in last year's Hallowe'en Dios de los Muertos "Sugar skull" attire.

Can't decide between apricot and cow cowl, purple team colours, all black 100 shirt for tomorrow (Stormont 1st birthday, not sure if they're doing anything #iamteamGB ish)

On your marks, get set, BAKE!

feetheart · 26/08/2016 16:51

You're on Melanie

cinnamongreyhound · 26/08/2016 18:19

Most people are welcoming and friendly needyounow. I've been to a few and one wasn't as friendly as others I've been to but that may have just been the day. We always do a new runners briefing so the rd knows who's new and will often try to catch those people at the end. My advice would be:

-don't forget your barcode
-give yourself plenty of time to get there
-arrive 15mins before start time to make sure you have time to get to the briefings.
-smile and people will chat to you when they see you on your own
-any questions ask!!! The rd will be wearing a blue and white vest, any experiences parkrunners will be wearing a red top with 50, black with 100 and perhaps a green one with 250 if your parkrun has been going a while.
-leave time for a coffee afterwards will make the most of friend making opportunities
-consider volunteering in the future, also a great way to make parkrun friends as you have more time to chat than when you're running!

I'm dressing up MyBlackCat, school pe kit and bunches.

needyounow · 26/08/2016 19:37

Thanks everyone, you have convinced me to definitely give it a go. It's great to hear that everyone is friendly and welcoming, that makes me less nervous.
I will report back once I have been to my first run, will aim for next Sat but if not definitely the following week.

Flowers