Parkrunners Assemble - the new thread that will remind you to "do not forget barcode" and that "you can walk, jog, run or volunteers"

[standingonlego]

Panic moment, we were running out of room on old thread so started a new one for today's run reports

Well done c’estlavie what a super achievement

Artful that is fab - so lovely to see the kids just nail it. We were tied up this Saturday with other family stuff but really looking forward to being tourists next Saturday.

I cellotape my barcodes to old loyalty cards/hotel keycards that I have somehow accumulated. I printed off the sheet and made a bunch of cards. I put a couple in my car, a couple in my billfold, and a couple in my running belt. They're very sturdy that way.

Same here JustGettingStarted - waterproof with added sturdiness! Saw a couple of people with them on lanyards in those plastic holders which seems like another good option, and a few people had those snazzy official wristbands.

Key fobs are another good one but I did accidentally scan someone's Co-op loyalty card fob that was right next to their parkrun fob...

Loyalty cards is a great idea. Mine is taped to my phone as I usually want to listen to some music on my way round

I was thinking about getting one of the printed loyalty card/key fob sets and/or a wristband. But the official ones only have 27 characters for emergency info which isn’t long enough for the the name of my underlying condition, let alone the drug (potential for major interactions) or the relevant hospital phone number.

So unless anyone knows of a supplier where there is more space, I think it’s going to have to continue to be a tatty bit of paper in phone case, where an ‘emergency’ card already lives!

How about "med info in phone case"? At least that way they'll know to look!

Just I have been thinking about getting a running belt, as the armband I use for my phone is bothering me now I've switched from long-sleeved tops to vests. I'm worried about it jiggling when I run, though, which I think would distract and annoy me. Are you happy with yours?

Also... I was reading something about young children (8 and under) running longer distances (5k+) on hard surfaces, and the advice seemed to be for them not to do it regularly because of the risk of damage to feet and/or joints. Eek. Now I'm wondering whether we are right to let DS run it every week as he is currently intending... I don't want to curb his enthusiasm, but equally don't want to be setting him up for issues when he's older. Maybe we should start off with every other week.

My belt lies very flat and doesn't jiggle. I have something off amazon. Look into flip belts I think they're called. They lie flat and are very popular

Hello, can I join? I’m an occasional Park-runner, I aim to go at least once a month and any more is a bonus. Done 7 so far.
I’ve been running for years though. Current PB is 25:24 and I’d like to get below 25 mins. I start near the front as I don’t like overtaking but am not sure if I’m pacing myself correctly.

Unless your parkrun is run by brain dead zombies. Most will scan a screen shot of your barcode. Don’t bow into the pressure to buy a wrist band or worry about getting it printed off.

Countess - my local has only been going about six months or so, maybe they're still in the early "sticklers for the rules" phase but I was told expressly that we can't scan barcodes on devices. Printouts, cards, fobs, wristbands, even the torn ones were fine the scanning support person wrote those down manually. But you couldn't just show your phone. And from almost 400 runners no one asked to. If I could just show a screencap on my phone that'd probably be easier since I run with my phone anyway but I'm guessing it would take longer to do with people faffing trying to bring up the right screen in the queue - is that why they say no electronic ones?

I'm afraid we absolutely won't accept a screen shot. They don't scan reliably, and we don't have enough volunteers to manually enter a queue of people (though that will be done for those who have a correctly presented bar code which doesn't scan that day, or if their finish token won't).

It's not being 'brain dead' and it might depend on number, those with only a couple of hundred runners have different scanning (and funnel management) issues to those with 700+

It has to be printed, either on paper or wristband/card. Those are the published rules too. But you can work out your time by looking at the ones either side of you, if you remember your finish number.

The screen won't scan and having a rule against manually entering numbers except in certain cases where the bar code is damaged means people don't hold up the entire process.

Parkrun is apparently trialing an app-based method that doesn't require scanning bar codes. I'm not sure how it works, though.

I also track myself on runkeeper, just to have a preview... It's always a few seconds off because I have to get the app up and stop it.

Can I join? . A local Parkrun has recently started on local beach track. So no excuses now.i can walk to the start from home. I did C25k using NHS podcasts a couple of years ago,on this track, but I've slacked right off. This is just what I need. Hopefully I will be back on Saturday with a smug Halo of achievement.

Welcome, kitschencabernet!

I've signed up in the hope of getting a little fitter.

My daughter runs the junior parkrun near us and i've run that a few times with her so i'm hoping i'll be okay with the 5k. I've checked the times for the last couple of runs and the last one over the line seems to be around 50 minutes so i'm hoping i can manage that. Even if I will be running and walking it!

Just to ask, what do people do with water bottles? Do you carry them around with you or just leave them by the tent and drink afterwards?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for armbands/bumbags for phone/keys/barcode etc?

Thank you!

Well done flutterbean!

I don't carry a water bottle when running myself - I might take one along when it's really hot in the summer, we'll see. But a few people do have either regular bottles or those jogging hand-hole ones. At our local there's a tarp put out at the start/finish and there's usually a few dozen bags and coats left on it. I wouldn't leave anything valuable but for water bottles and the like seems fine.

With phone holders and the like I'd recommend experimenting to see what you get on with - I've tried the waistband ones and arm band ones and didn't really like either style, arm ones slip down or have to be too tight and waistband ones seem to jiggle a lot. Either get fairly cheap ones to try or see if you can borrow one from a friend to test> Personally I tend to run in leggings with a small pocket for my house or car key, and have some with a side pocket big enough for my phone. Otherwise I use this handheld holder which I'd really recommend, it's cheap and simple but very effective and I like being able to quickly access the phone for skipping podcast adverts or strava!

I have a belt that lies flat but I like the idea of a hand holder! It would be awesome to be able to look at it whenever I want.

Thanks Givemushypeasachance! Will have a look at the holder.

It's looking to be very warm on Saturday so will try running with a bottle and see how I get on.

I've managed to convince my sister to come along with me so i'll have some company 😊

My husband stands near a point we pass twice with a water bottle for me if it's hot.

I don't actually get thirsty in such a short time, but my mouth can get dry from panting. I'd probably be fine with a fruit shoot bottle in my hand if I had to have a sip. .

Off to Parkrun today - lovely and sunny!

If I give generic, not specific name of condition, I could fit the following message on to a wristband (26 characters including spaces) - do people, especially those who volunteer, think it’s clear enough?

‘cancer; look in phone case’

Would ‘info in phone case’ be better?

Glorious run this morning, tourists at sewerby - a stunning course.

I did okay but missed a pb - hey ho

Pb for ds by a long way and the first time he has run the whole course without having a little walk. 3418 and he is only 7.

On the other end of the spectrum dd cried she was so disappointed with her time )and she is old enough to know better!)

I ran/walked my first park run today, beautiful weather for it!

I came in at 40.43 so my aim is to get below 40 minutes next time.

My husband is jumping on the bandwagon as well so we're alternating weeks, at least we've got the junior park run with the 8 year old as well on the weeks we're not doing the 5k.

Well done to everyone who ran today!