parkrun 2020 - all welcome !

[CalmConfident]

Our long running parkrun thread has gotten very quiet, so with the last 2019 results processed thought it was a good time to refresh ready for 2020

Parkrun is a force for good. Run, walk or volunteer. All are equally welcome. Saturdays 9am 5k.

www.parkrun.org.uk/

So if you are a newbie first timer, a volunteer, a local regular or a challenge chasing tourist come join us here. Ask questions, share stories and let’s encourage each other in 2020

...and Don’t Forget Your Barcode #DFYB

Nice one thebeat - the first Parkrun I did was by the sea and was fab!

Thanks all, that’s interesting to hear. I find it hard not to push myself but I think pushed too hard last week as did one at New Year and then one on the first Sat.

pushed too hard last week as did one at New Year and then one on the first Sat

Totally depends what mileage you're doing, and what "push yourself" means in terms of effort.
Two full 5k race efforts in a week would be too much for anyone, but two hard 5k tempo runs - presuming these are just part of a wider training schedule- is fine.
Me, and most of my clubmates ran 2 or 3 parkruns last week (New Year double and Saturday) and took them comfortably hard.
For me, this meant one parkrun 10 secs behind PB pace, one run 30 secs behind PB pace, and one two mins slower than PB pace as it was part of a long run. Hope that makes sense?

I did all available parkruns over the Christmas period, so all Saturdays, Xmas day, NYD double then the Saturday following, so did 6 parkruns in 2 weeks!
Apart from the Xmas one which I did in fancy dress, I pushed fairly hard on all of them.

Got to do 4 new locations aswell.

Well I'm officially going to be a marshall at my 1st ever park run this Saturday! Quick q - do I need to arrive about ten mins before 9 or even earlier?

I’d say much earlier than 8.50, you will need a briefing and get your hi-vis, radio before walking to your point. We usually say 8.20 but obviously it varies. Emails to volunteers are sent out towards the end of the week and may have timings, otherwise drop the RD a message to check. Enjoy!

How early marshalls need to be there really does depend on the course (for a single lap may mean to have to walk further to get into position than you would for a three lapper)

We get an email a day or so before the event thanking us for volunteering (ie reminding us that we have!) and that includes the time the run director wants volunteers to arrive. Ours is 8:30 for those involved in pre-event set up, and 8:45 for others.

Brilliant, thank you 👍

Radio! Gosh. We don't have that. Marshals are asked to get there about 8.40/45, I think. We're asked to bring a mobile with us if we have one, but you could yell and wave to attract the run director's attention from most points of our course (three laps).

So...who is at parkrun in the morning?

I am touring at Chipping Norton School parkrun with some friends

Who is running? Walking? Volunteering? Trying it for the first time?

#DFYB

I won’t thank you :)

I am running tomorrow, but the RD has already warned us of really strong winds, we’re running through a park with really old trees, if it’s bad, it’ll get cancelled :(

Tailwalking, at an event where that’s usually under 40 minutes!

Running a new one tomorrow, which is supposed to be flat and fast, so hoping for a decent time.

@SegregateMumBev, our tailwalker is about an hour . Is it your home course ?

We do sometimes hear about these super fast events being a bit intimidating and putting off those new to parkrun , would be interesting to hear your take on on it.

Thank you to everyone volunteering today, have fun everyone running or walking

And hope the weather is ok @BuddhaAtSea and you zoom round the new one @Runningonempty84

It's not my home event, no, and yes I'd usually expect to be around an hour when tailwalking.

This is a very small event which doesn't really attract large numbers, and those who come aren't really walkers.

I often run with my dog, but I'm going to a dance class afterwards, so i won't have pupster with me. This is a "no-dogs" course on my way, so it fits in with my plans.

Last time I did this, I gathered all the cones and signs on my final lap, said my cherios, drove to dance class passing another parkrun en route...where I could see the tailwalker still out on the course.

The weather is wild and windy here in Norn Irn - stay safe evryone!

I did it! It was cold (icy cold), really windy and very very muddy. My head wasn’t in the game so I just plodded. Aiming for a PB next Saturday, I was so nearly there, I needed 30 seconds. I think I’m getting fitter, my legs are absolutely fine, it’s just my head and stomach. Gone back to bed with a second coffee, all snuggled up. Have a lovely weekend :)

We got caught out at parkrun in Ireland with the kids. It was an early October frost and they went into go-slow mood. Not normally an issue at our busy local parkruns where it often takes towards an hour for the tail runner to return, but at this one, everyone shot off. The results show most people are registered in the GAA, and less casual, entry level participants. We retired after one lap as it just felt really awkward to keep everyone hanging on much longer than everyone else participating.

Been for my local run this morning. As RED Jan goes by, my times are tailing off . I actually felt good about 1.5k in when I'd warmed up, but just kept the pace steady and easy as my muscles are tired after a long session yesterday. I enjoyed my sprint finish though!

I did my 1st time (was a marshal). Everyone was really friendly. I loved all the "thanks marshal" that came my way! The whole set up was so positive. Will definitely volunteer again. Have just got a new job which means I will be working Saturday mornings but I had such a good time today I think I will switch to volunteering on the junior parkrun on Sunday. Now I know the 5k route I can do my own version of parkrun on Mondays instead.

@ShinyGiratina that’s a shame, about the Ireland park run.
I love a sprint finish too, this time I felt sick, I did sprint, but didn’t give it all I had :(
@amyspikledlime, told you it would be fun! My favourite marshal has Pom poms, I love seeing her wave her pink and blue Pom poms at me😂. Today one of my running club leaders was a marshal, she told me I’m making good time, that cheered me on :) Marshals are really important, they really do help tremendously. So thank you for volunteering today, hope you come back

BuddhaAtSea. Yes, you were right. It was really fun. I feel great even though I didn't run. Pom poms are such a good idea!

I did it! I walked the whole way round, made better time than I was expecting and made a friend who was also walking because of the head wind on the way back (it's a there and back course).

I feel really proud of myself for actually going and next week I'll aim for the same time. I'm not going to put any expectations on myself other than to finish the course.

@thebeatofthedrum that’s fantastic! We really are a friendly bunch, so glad you went!

Well done everyone.
I did some tourism today, it felt like it was all uphill. My home one is flat, known for PB potential so I really struggled with this one. 35 mins, my slowest time since I started 5 years ago.

Well done folks - loving hearing about first time volunteers and walkers! There was a Marshall with music blaring out the PA system on a corner today which was great! My mums parkrun has a Pom-Pom waving Marshall, it is my favourite bit of the course to see her!!

Looking forward to a second cup of tea (inspired by @budda I might drink it in bed!)