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?

Don't stress about it. You went out on a wet February morning and did 5k in the mud. Faster than 99.9% of the population! And you didn't fall over. I was watching the "macho" blokes doing all the falling today, they couldn't bear to slow down on the corners. Numpties.

It's always grim in the winter. If you go very careful and keep going over feb and march you will get a bit quicker in the good weather.
I've been doing it for over a decade and don't enjoy it that much. But I know running is good for me in the long run and I only have to put aside 2hrs a week for it. Hang in there.

You’re doing amazing. Don’t beat yourself up! I’m a runner and have been running for a while now. I’ve done quite a few parkruns at my local one. Over the years I’ve had different focuses in running, for example last year I did a half marathon so my focus was running long distances. After I’d done that last September I focused on short distances and building on my times. I’m sort of still there now but building on longer distances. What I’m trying to say is think about what’s important to you in your runs. Some people there will be focused on their times/where they finish. Others will be just as pleased to know that they’re going home for 10.30 on a Saturday morning and have done more than most! Different focuses could be completing the parkrun by jeffing, it could be finishing within a time limit or just completing it regardless of times/walking.

I recently listened to a women’s running podcast and Lisa Jackson was talking on it. She’s so inspirational. She’s known for embracing her position at the back of races. Have a google of her. What stood out in your post was that you’re not enjoying it. Don’t force it if you’re not enjoying it, maybe change things up a bit. I’ve been where you are and just want you to know that you’re brilliant for even going there!

You went out and did a park run on a cold, wet and muddy Saturday in February; millions of us didn't. Be proud that you turned up at all! I understand you're demoralised at the time it took but in a few weeks you'll be zipping along with the best of 'em. Go you!

I don't do parkrun that often because I frequently work on the weekend. However when I do go, I go because I enjoy running. I say running, but it's more of a steady plod. I don't care what time I do it in, I don't care what time other people do it in. I'd say stop fixating on the times. Enjoy being outside, if it's a muddy one it's probably in a scenic location, a parkland, woodland? I just enjoy being outside in nature.
There are two parkruns near me. A 'faster' one on tarmac around a park, and a 'slower' muddy one in a country park. I pick the slower muddy one over the other because it's a prettier location through woods.

Also, unless those hardcore runners were dickheads, I bet they weren't having any negative thoughts about your speed. Plenty of them will have started just like you, and they probably understand that the whole value of this hobby is about challenging yourself at whatever level you are at.
And plenty of the the sub-30 types are prob feeling as embarrassed as you because they aren't sub-25, etc.

That's really not very slow at all, you'd be well ahead of the tail walker at most of my locals. I volunteer at parkrun and we are always very happy to have a wide range of people at ours, I know some places can feel a bit speedy but usually the volunteers themselves are keen to support everyone. It is hard when it's cold, wet and muddy but the work you do now is absolutely going to pay off.

Do you have trail shoes? If not I'd get yourself a pair to help give you some traction in the mud. And maybe volunteer as tail walker one week to see what it's like at the very back!

Have you done any running outside of those park runs? Do you actually want to do running?

If you don’t enjoy it there’s no shame in just not doing it, running isn’t for everyone. Personally I’ve come to enjoy putting headphones in and running on my own, but there are plenty of other activities out there if running isn’t the right fit.

It’s a perfectly respectable time! I was volunteering this morning and we were beginning to wonder where the tail walkers were, but when they arrived we realised they were behind someone walking with a stick. They came in at 75 minutes and we all gave them a big cheer! It doesn’t matter how fast you do it, the important thing is taking part. Keep going!

I am doing couch to 5k. My dream is to run for 30mins without stopping, but i definitely wont be completing 5k in that time. You're running 5k thats amazing, more than many can manage.

You went out today? That’s incredible given the weather. When I feel like that, I tell myself that the only bad run is the one I didn’t do.

I used to be able to do a parkrun in 23 minutes. Then I developed a chronic illness and could barely walk 100m. I would be ecstatic to manage a 5k at any time whatsoever. You're moving, you're doing more than SO many people- feel proud of that

Well done to you! I’m impressed 👏 Even though you felt conscious of being slowest, I bet nobody looked down on you - I can’t imagine that anyone would. As of us have said here, you’ve done better than all of us who haven’t even made it outside yet (let alone run 5km)! Be proud of yourself- you’re inspiring. x

Sorry, yes. I should have added, your time was good!

I did it on crutches once and was "last", well over an hour.

Park run is for all runners/

I was the last person to finish a half marathon - only the St John ambulance people left to see me cross the line...

You did great!

Don't give up! I starter super slow and hating it when I first started running. I was overweight, red as a beetroot and used to cough for half a day after I'd run. I ended up running very nearly half marathon distances (never quite made it!). Parkrun really kept me going. The spirit of Parkrun is really inclusive to slow runners, jeffers and walkers, so try and keep that in mind and hang in there until you can switch to one with more slow runners. You may be slow, but you're beating everyone who's still in bed or sitting around on the sofa!

You're MUCH faster than all the people who stayed at home and had a lie in.

As a former athlete (who sadly is now to unwell to even go for a jog) I can tell you that I used to really admire all the beginners, overweight and elderly people who had a go.

Keep going - you will get fitter and faster.

You’re quicker than all those people who didn’t attend, including me.

It is pretty unusual to be last with a time of 45 minutes. Have a look on the website where you can see all the results. Firstly it will reassure you that your time is pretty normal and secondly you might find one with slower times where you would feel more comfortable.

I was absolutely last, once. It was a trail run, partly over moorlands, and I was worried that all the volunteers would have gone home and left me lost and dying.
But, no, they were still around at the end, with a genuine enjoyment of celebrating every last runner who hobbled across the finish line.
It was still embarrassing. But why??? Someone has to be last, and if it had been anyone but me I would have been silently cheering them and admiring them!!

I often tail walk and your run is absolutely fine. We usually are coming in at the end anytime after 55mins. You've got quick runners! I should think alot of the running-walkers saw the weather and thought 'nahhhh'.

Do not quit because of your time and other people's running. Focus on you. Hills are a killer, you'll get to love-hate the challenge of them.

You aren't last at Park Run. Billions of us didn't do it today. You got your lungs and heart going, you've toned up them legs, your mental health will be thanking you. I feel guilty I opted for a slow dog walk in the woods this morning.

I am a slow parkrunner (slower than you). I have normally come near/at the back. Personally I just accept that someone has to be slowest.

However, if it is putting you off I would take a look at the results for some other local parkruns and get a feel for what the volume of people at different times is. There is one local to be that at 42 minutes you'd have a good pack around you (the average finisher is 33 mins or something like that) and the slowest times are closer to 66 minutes. Plenty of people at that one walk from start to finish. It is good a chat on a Saturday morning. Equally I have been to one where I finished 42nd but still in a time of like 54 minutes.

Whatever you're time there is no need to be embarrassed. Parkrun is about people getting out and taking part not about being at the front.

Look at it this way, you got twice as much exercise as someone who completed the Parkrun in 23 minutes. And infinitely more exercise than those of us who haven't done a Parkrun today. Keep going and take care on the slippy bits.

The point is that you did it - great exercise

that is a fast course - we always have walkers who take an hour

and walking bits is fine

You should be really proud of yourself. You dragged yourself out of bed on a Saturday morning in not particularly nice weather to do something you don’t really enjoy and don’t feel you’re very good at. But you still showed up and you still made it round!! I just looked at the finish times for the one I went to today and you’d have had best part of 30 people coming in behind you. Your times are not that bad.

my first park run in 2019 was 41 mins. Now my fastest is 21 mins (though I’ve been injured so more like 23/24 at present). Running more often will help you to improve your times but honestly, just getting out and doing the distance on a Saturday morning is great for your health, even if you feel you’re not doing well at it, it’s certainly doing you good.