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

[Iblinkedandiamold]

That's great runningpink well done.
I did an 8k today but walked a lot of it, lots of hills, long hills too.
It was to support the local football team so I wasn't really pushing myself anyway.
I'm going to take a break next week and just do my two bootcamps. I am still new enough to excersise so really want to be fit for Sunday and see if I can do 10K in 70mins.

[HotLatteontherunplease]

Well done blinked
Any advice for new runners?

[Iblinkedandiamold]

Get a decent pair of running shoes and don't run up hills I am still learning myself. Only really started late October so surprising myself all the time.
I did the couch to 5k app and found that great but the Park runs are the best., better than any app and it sets you up for the day.

[wiltingflower]

I have questions! :)

What time should you arrive for your first park run?
Do people normally run with water bottles?
Is it normal to around in a fleece now that the weather is warming up or do most people only wear a top?

[SconNotScone]

Hi wiltingflower!

At my first parkrun, I got there 15 mins early and just hung around for a bit until the race director called out for anyone who was new to parkrun, or new to that location, to go over for a briefing. That must have been at just after 08:50 I think.

I have done three so far, the first was chilly and wet, I ran with a long sleeve zip up top over my T-shirt and that was fine. The following two have been milder (although not super warm, and I have just worn a yoga type vest top. I have noticed some people do start with two layers, then strip off partway round and hang their long sleeve top off a tree or fence. My course is 3 laps of a huge playing field though, so you go back past a couple of times for them to retrieve it!

Regarding water bottles, I can only recall seeing one or two people carrying them round. I don’t bother, I just have a small drink beforehand, then neck a big bottle once I’m finished! It doesn’t really feel long enough to me to need a drink on the way round, although I appreciate not everyone thinks the same way.

[wiltingflower]

Thank you @SconNotScone! This is really helpful!

Are there many people when you go early? I'll be starting on my own and am worried about looking odd.

I quite like the idea of wearing layers and then removing one as needed.

I'm not sure how I'd fare water wise 🤔 I may just bring a water bottle for the first time and see how it goes and then leave it.

[Iblinkedandiamold]

I don't bring a water bottle but I see people who do. I wear a t-shirt and leggings the excersise ones from Tesco. I get very hot though as I jog.
I am meant to be doing a 10k on Sunday but now I've come down with a stomach bug. Hopefully I'll be able to make it. Fingers crossed.
Best of luck wiltingflower.

[SconNotScone]

@wiltingflower mine only have about 80 or so runners, so is a fairly small one, when I got there at 08:45 the first time, there were at least 10 or so runners waiting around, plus all the volunteers, and more people soon turned up. I just milled around on my own, and it was fine! Do you know approx how many people go to your local one?

[wiltingflower]

@SconNotScone that's great to hear! I feel more reassured about this. I've checked the results page and 580 people turned up to it today.

[Iblinkedandiamold]

I did my 10k today. Didn't manage to jog as much as I hoped because I still don't feel great and there was so many people taking part in it that it was hard to jog in some spots.
It's something I don't think I'll do again. (This particular 10k not 10ks in general)

[Pinkarsedfly]

I did my first-ever Parkrun today!

My goal was to do it all without walking - which I did!

I finished 546th!

[Iblinkedandiamold]

Well done pinkarsedfly. I finished 18th in mine today...I love when there's only a small group, it makes it look like I am really good.
Struggled to run the whole thing, sinuses playing up and j couldn't breath properly. My fault, I've been eating a lot of dairy this week. (By dairy I mean chocolate)

[MelanieCheeks]

Well done Pink, and good stamina, Blinked.

I answered a late appeal for volunteers, and multi tasked as marshall, photographer, finish token support and post event collect-the-signs.

[w33ta8ix]

Second ever park run this morning. Was much busier than my first one (a different location). Managed 22.46, but was still 152nd!

[Iblinkedandiamold]

Wow w33ta8ix amazing. I'm going to get back into my exercise routine which is run short distances (3-5k) 3 days a week and bootcamp 2 days a week.
I've eased off a little on the running recently.

[SegregateMumBev]

Strabane

Got to meet Dame Kelly Holmes this morning! She's fabulous.

[runningpink]

I’d forgotten about this thread!

I am heading for some parkrun tourism to Northern Ireland this weekend.
Slowly creeping my way towards 100runs and 100 volunteers. Will be next year before I manage that achievement though.

How is everyone else getting on?

[Iblinkedandiamold]

Sometime in Jan I will have reached 50 runs.
I joined a running club last week so going to see how it improves my time, although I joined more for the social side.

[SegregateMumBev]

Ooooh where in Norn Irn are you heading? I'll be in Copenhagen this weekend, very exotic! But just walking as I broke a metatarsel at the end of July.

[runningpink]

iblinked heading to Portrush. And discovered last week it’s actually their anniversary so there will be cake! Woohoo! Running on sand could be interesting

Ooh Copenhagen that sounds fab. Let us know what is like please.

[SegregateMumBev]

Portrush is legendary, you will have a great time! Check the tide times - I have run it on occasion splashing through the waves.....

[Iblinkedandiamold]

Who's ready for tomorrow. I'll be interested to see if I can improve my time.

[AskMeHow]

Got a new pb today, 25:46. Very pleased with that. Started going back to parkrun over the last couple of months, having not been for years!

[Iblinkedandiamold]

Well done AskMeHow. I didn't get a P.B. but I ran it all in my fasted time yet. 29.47. My P.B is 29.38 but that was walking/running. I am delighted with that. But then again I am always delighted whatever the time. I just love the fact that I got up and did it.

[runningpink]

Loved Portrush! And i was faster than I expected on the sand. Even had a wee paddle in the freezing sea afterwards. Yummy cake and sausage rolls afterwards for their birthday celebrations

Well done ask on the Pb and well done iblinked it’s a good feeling.