Parkrun - a few questions

[MummyInTheNecropolis]

I’ve recently completed couch to 5k and am still running 3 times a week which I really enjoy. I would like to sign up for my local parkrun. I’ve heard that they are generally friendly and inclusive (ie you don’t have to be professional athlete level)! Is this your experience? I’ll be going on my own, I usually listen to music or a podcast while I run, could I do this during a parkrun or do people like to chat as they run? I’m not sure I’m even physically capable of talking while running but I don’t want to seem antisocial!

Any other tips for a parkrun beginner?

You'll never be last @MummyInTheNecropolis , because the tailwalker(s) will be, but with 35-40 mins you'll be nowhere near the end in a 400 people parkrun.

Thanks @BogRollBOGOFmy next question was going to be whether I actually need to print the barcode or whether I can just show it on my phone so thank you for answering that!

When I'm not tail walking I scan barcodes and I have seen them in many many forms. Fished out of someone sweaty sports bra was a particular highlight. Buy yes on your phone is perfect.

I’ve been parkrunning for years and love it, even though I’ve always been slowish and have been walking for over a year now due to an injury. I’ve done over a hundred different ones and, although I would describe them as friendly, it doesn’t mean that the team and other participants will definitely start chatting; if you want to meet people, you may have to put yourself out there. The website has the route so you can check it out, and the first timers briefing will give details, but there will be loads of people at a similar pace so it’s quite easy to just follow the person in front of you. When I first started running I definitely couldn’t run and talk at the same time and would only usually chat if I was having a leisurely run round with a friend (now I’m walking lots of people chat!). Yes, bar code in any format is fine.

Phone or watch is perfect. If all else fails you can look up anyone’s barcode on the 5k app (not official parkeun but we all use it to track challenges! )

UPDATE:

I did it! Just completed my first ever parkrun. It was hard as lots of it was uphill, but I finished in 40.51 mins which isn’t too bad for a first attempt I don’t think? I enjoyed it anyway! Thanks for all the helpful tips and advice.

@MummyInTheNecropolis fantastic well done! I hope it wasn't raining as heavily where you were as it was at my parkrun.

Well done, op., parkrun is great and you will find it rather addictive!

I have been running since 2020 and love it. Our local is Bushy, the home of parkrun. I see you’re in London so If you get the chance it’s worth a ‘pilgrimage’ westwards to Bushy.

Later on you may like to consider volunteering as a course marshall or whatever. Just as much fun as the running bit as you get to meet loads of people.

Well done!! 👏 that’s great for a first go. You may get a bit addicted as you start to see your times improve!

This is really brilliant op, well done!
I’ve been toying with restarting running again and thought park run might be the best place to start. My local one used to have 550ish people when I used to go, really friendly supportive atmosphere.

Amazing! Well done 🏃‍♀️‍➡️

Couch to 5k was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Be proud of that run today!

Well done!

Love to hear about new folk doing parkrun 😊

I would just advise you to avoid Clapham Common as it is huge 900+ runners and a really bad bottle neck.

Thank you all! I think I’m gonna try it again next week, might be a bit better now that I know the route and won’t be so nervous!

Thanks for the warning @Londonmummy66 Clapham is too far for me so won’t be going there. There were 440 people at my one yesterday.

Brilliant! Well done. I’ve only ever done two because I’m not a morning running person. I wish they did a 5pm run. 😂

Well done, go to dfyb.run - don’t forget your barcode and it will create a version of your barcode for the apple wallet - and I think for the Android equivalent.

Thank you @ACynicalDad I’ve just done this, good to know it’s in my Apple wallet, easier to keep it there!

My husband took up park run 2 years ago. He is now age 76. Pre start he was chatting to people from a local club and now runs 5 times a week. It has been great for him socially. Whenever we are away somewhere he finds a park run to do. I bought him open ear headphones (aka bone conducting) which are much safer than ear pods as you can hear what’s going on around you. I bought Shokz but there are cheaper versions on Amazon.

Well done! Glad you enjoyed it. As others have said, it gets a bit addictive!. I have friends who have done the a-z of parkruns, some have spelt their names etc!.