Slowest Parkrunner, feeling demoralised

[slet]

I’ve done 3 park runs. I know it’s early days. The first one I did in 42 minutes jeffing. Then I have done two at an another one local to me where ds is now volunteering, so I have to take him. It’s very small, very rural, and seems to attract v hardcore runners unlike bigger ones where there is more of an ability spread. I did it last week in 46 mins and today in 45. Parts of it are so muddy and im so scared of slipping, i have to walk very slowly not run.

im just so embarrassed at how terribly slow i am, i dont enjoy it at all and i can’t understand how people actually do this for pleasure and get addicted to it. A very elderly man with a limp was faster than me today and i just feel like giving up and thinking what is the point.

please can someone encourage me to keep at it?

its amazing that you can do it at all. You’re faster than me

Ok so you might not be the fastest but you are doing it ( and walking some due to ground conditions) you will get faster. Do you enjoy it? I hate running so you are doing much better than me

Of course you’re slow if you’re having to carefully navigate slippery mud. Keep going, you’re doing brilliantly for even getting out there on a day like today 💐

Think about how many millions of people DIDN’T do ParkRun today! You should be really proud that you went out, and finished.

Parkrun isn’t about speed, it’s about doing something for yourself as part of a supportive community. It’s okay to be last, it’s common to Jef, your times wouldn’t put you at the back at other Parkruns.
You are doing something brilliant- and it’s SO much less fun THIS time of year! 🙌

You got out on a grotty, muddy Saturday in February and completed a parkrun. Feel proud for getting out there.

Do it 22 more times and you can claim a 25 milestone t-shirt regardless of pace. The ethos is participation not times.

I've had a relatively slow one this morning as my body is tired. There seemed to be fewer walkers out today and there were 100 fewer attendees than last week.

My slowest is about 55 mins, and it's common for final finishers to take longer than that.

You got up, you got ready and went. That’s amazing ❤️❤️

It’s 12.06, I am sitting in bed eating two hash browns and sausages and scrolling on Mumsnet. My achievement today is I have hung out a wash. In your camp you are amazing that you have got up and completed a park run. Doesn’t matter how slow, you still did it!

If I was there you'd probably have to give me a piggyback! If I didn't end up in an ambulance after 10 meters! 😂

It's great you're doing it and of course you'll be slower at first. Or some people always do it slow as that's just their pace. It's just meant to be a bit of fun.

Try and think about slightly improving your own time (or not) and forget about others. Just completing the bloody thing and doing so several times for me would be an absolutely massive achievement! So well done. X

You’re lapping everyone else who’s still sat on their sofa!

Hats off to you, I’m impressed.
Stick with it and be proud of your achievements!

You were faster today than all the people who stayed at home and sat on their arses (like me). Well done for getting out there.

I started off parkrun at around 45 mins and I couldn’t walk properly for the rest of the week. Today I did it in 39 mins but I don’t ache at all. I’m still near the end, I was number 430 ish today but the difference to my health and fitness is noticeable. I have done 25 park runs now. The Marshalls are so encouraging and I love it when the speedy finishers cheer me on too! Such a lovely atmosphere.

Be bloody proud! It’s all about participating and you are doing that.

Although it does sound like the first one you did suited you better? But this one will be easier when the ground dries up a bit. And you will probably find the non-hard core runners like yourself will be more likely to be there.

You’re so much better than me! I do it once, nearly die because I’ve run like a pillock, then can’t be arsed for 5 years then think ‘yes, I’ll do it again’ Do it again, spend a month recovering and don’t go back for another 5 years at least you’re sensible! And you will improve because of it

You did it in good time - well done! Although I get where you're coming from - our local one is very competitive with lots of local running clubs taking part and the times are very definitely important judging by the amount of stopwatch checking that goes on. I stopped going after a while. I've seen other posts on here though where people have tried other Parkruns and found them a lot less competitive - are there any others you could try?

You're awesome OP. Be proud of yourself.

My first run was just under 42 minutes. When I can cope with my Long Covid and manage 5 or 6 in a row I can get down to 37 minutes. Keep at it and try a few different venues.

Ah thank you I wasn’t expecting so many lovely responses.

yes the first one I did was flat and on tarmac, whereas this one has a horrible hill and lots of mud. I would try some different ones but ds has committed to volunteering here for a while so I will have to try and work round that. I m feel like when I go back the original one I did I will feel much easier. It’s also much bigger with more walkers and jeffers.

Ah you would defo not be the slowest at the ones where I live (city but lots of parks). Also the mud won’t be there in the summer. Keep going, please don’t let this put you off being active, it’s such a great thing to have started.

God, those speeds aren't shamefully slow at all! Parkrun is meant to be for people who aren't hardcore. It is unfortunate that your local one is like this.

Getting out running, navigating the mud, is a fantastic way to honour and improve your mental and physical health in this awful February gloom. You are a star!!

Mate, you ran 5k! Most people can’t run 5k so you’re already doing great things. The speed comes the more you run as you build your fitness base. Gradually it will feel easier and your speed will naturally increase. But you’ve only done three of them!

Please don’t feel demoralised! It’s not about PBs, it’s about community, being together and in a supportive environment.
I go sometimes with the dog, I stop so she can sniff, catch up with the walkers, I’m all over the place, see a friend and chat, it really isn’t about the time it takes you!
Come and tell us how it went next week, I’ll be cheering you on!

Totally agree with this!

Yeah, I also haven’t got out of bed yet so you’re doing amazing!

But you're not the slowest - I am (because I didn't go!!). You went and you did it. Well done.