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

@CatyaPurella I did my 50th in October and still haven't got my T-shirt. Kind of lost it's impact now, will anticipate the 100th arriving faster when I get there!

My 250 was awesome! I could not stop smiling. Lots of my friends came along, and ave me cards, home made biscuits, and a medal engraved on the back with the date. I shall let you know how I get on with T shirt ordering....

Another Saturday another Parkrun. I again managed to run the whole thing. Finished in 30 mins 46 seconds. Not a PB but I didn't stop running. Before this I would run steadily for 3km then I'd walk a few steps, run, walk a bit more etc. Got advice on a thread about slowing down so o did that and now I can run the whole 5km.
I do want to stop and walk at times but I push through.
Going to attempt my first 10k next Sunday.

Excellent, Blinked!

I paced to 34 mins, and got a friend a new PB - he was so chuffed to ring that bell.

Good luck with your 10k.

A bonkers windy parkrun yesterday but did not stop and was not too much slower than in the normal weather the week before...so taking that as a win!

Look forward to seeing that 250 Shirt melanie cheeks

Hi all, I have just registered with Park Run, and intend to go along for my first one next weekend. I’m not much of a runner, I suspect I will take at least 35 minutes, but it’s something to work on!

I’m sorry that I’ve not read the full thread, so this may already have been addressed... but can someone please tell me exactly what happens at the event. As in, what happens with my barcode at the start and finish? Are you scanned as you cross the finish line? Are there signs/marshals/something pointing out the route?

I am looking forward to it, but nervous! I like to know what to expect. Thanks in advance!

Hiya Scon, welcome to team Parkrun!

There will be a first timers briefing telling you about the course, so make sure you are there in good time for that. You will most likely not be the only one making your debut. And 35 mins is a great Time!

Everyone starts at the same time, and the timekeepers hit "click" on their stopwatch. As each runner crosses the finish line, the timekeepers hit their second button, which also notes the position number, and the token-giver-outer will give you a little token which has your finish position on it. You take that, and your personal barcode, to the scanner, who will zap the 2 barcodes, give you back yours and retain the finish token. Later that day, the Parkrun fairies will have matched up position numbers and times, and you will get a text and email giving you the results of your run.
Do you want to say which location it is?

Welcome Scon. Melanie answered your question there. There should be volunteer at various points around your route. I am nearly sure you can also look up the route on the parkrun website.
It's really good fun and the first timers briefing should tell you all you need to know.

I jogged my first 10k today. Did it in 1hr 11mins. Very pleased with it. I may not be able to move tomorrow though. 😂😂

Thank you both, that is so helpful!! It completely baffled me how on earth they can figure out the finishing time for everyone, but the tokens makes sense. I hadn’t realised there would be a first timers briefing at the start, so that is really good to know. I will definitely get there early in that case.
It is the Haverhill run I am doing. I think it is a fairly new one, and I think only has around 60ish participants each week, I couldn’t believe it when I read that some have upwards of 600 participants!!

Well done on your 10k Iblinked, that’s brilliant! I suspect when I guessed at around 35 mins for a 5k for me, I probably meant nearer to 40 mins . We’ll see!

40 is still a good time. Like the park run says, a 60 minute 5k is just as far as a 25minute 5k.
I think they put it a little more poetically, but you get the gist.
I thought I'd be in awful shape today but I am okay, a little tired and still so hungry, but apart from a very mild ache in my upper thigh and my calf I am okay. Hopefully i will still be okay tomorrow.

250 shirt ordered!

How did everybody get on today? My shirt arrived, but too late for today's run. But I'll be proudly wearing it next week in Wales!

I revisted one I'd done a few months ago, and which I'd hated. But I managed to scrape off a whole 3 minutes from that previous (frankly rubbish) time!

Hello. I did my first park run today after following couch 2 5k. I was incredibly slow and the last 1k nearly killed me, but I am already excited about the next one. I went because dh is a park run addict although he's really fast so he finishes and wanders back to the car to get my barcode and a bottle of water for when i finish

I'm 52 and have only been running for a couple of months after doing walking only for a few years.

Looking forward to reading everyone's reports!

Brilliant! Well done on your first parkrun. There's a rather infamous "first timers" briefer at Edinburgh parkrun who says "welcome to the best day of your life". He might be right...

Know exactly who you mean Melanie!
It is some first timers brief! He is like a bairn at Christmas!

My 61st event at pont-y-bala, Wales

I forgot to report back! I have done two Park Runs now. The first I took nearly 40 minutes, but this weekend I managed to shave a full 3 minutes off and came in at 36 mins and 42 seconds. I was really pleased with the improvement, but found it so tough!! Will keep going though!

There's a rather infamous "first timers" briefer at Edinburgh parkrun who says "welcome to the best day of your life

I love that. I might nick that for the next time I do the run briefing at my local parkrun.

I touristed at a new parkrun in London last weekend - Hanworth, which is so close to Crane park parkrun you could almost wave at them going round. Very flat and fast.

I'm joining up this Saturday too but I'm volunteering first to get a better idea of how it works. I'm quite competitive about improving myself so I will be fascinated to see how Parkrun works. A friend of mine says it's 'like a cult' and warned me against going but other than his opinion I've heard nothing but positive stuff. And I'd only be lying in bed doing nothing other than that anyway so I can't see what harm it can do!
I'm not a runner, yet, but when I see runners I get a bit jealous and want to be out running myself so the desire is definitely there! Also booked onto Race for Life this year so I'm hoping I can soak up the Parkrun spirit! When I get a chance I will review old thread and read the whole of this one properly but for now hello parkrunners!

I have just volunteered on my very first Parkrun! It was really fun! I was an enthusiastic Marshall and I loved every minute of it. I hope I haven't killed the thread! It was awesome and if you haven't ever tried it - do it! Volunteers are always appreciated! Can't wait for next time!

I love volunteering. Today was my 26th parkrun and I am no longer trying to beat my PB. At the moment I am teaching myself how to pace myself so I can another 10k next Sunday.
My time today was just under 32 mins so still fast.

I got a PB!! One of my friends ended up running with me and helped me get a completely unplanned and very unexpected PB.
The goal to go Sub 23 is now in sight!

hot I am so glad you loved volunteering.

iblinked sometimes it’s nice to not chase a Pb and to just enjoy going round. Good luck with your 10k.

Well done on your PB pink!
Do you run everyday?

Thank you!

Nope I don’t run every day. Iv actually been doing less running (similar days but less mileage) the last two months as I’d fallen out of love with it.
I usually run 3-4 times a week, between 5-10k unless I’m training then it obviously increases a lot.

Currently doing this which I know is too much! Need to swap some stuff and do weights again.

M- Bootcamp 45mins.
T- 4mile Run OR Spin bike and Abs Class in morning. 4-5mile run OR road bike 15 miles ish and Pilates.
W-Spin bike 30mins and HITT class 30mins in morning. PM run 5-6miles.
Th-Rest day
F-Rest day or wee easy 10mile on road bike
S- parkrun. Sometimes gym in afternoon. Self defence class 1 hour.
S- Road Bike 20-30miles, 5k run and time depending Bootcamp 45 mins.

Its not a plan as such, just what I can fit in around work/classes available.