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?

The average Parkrun finish time gets slower every year, which is something the founders are incredibly proud of, as it shows it's getting more and more inclusive.

The aim of Parkrun was never to be competing against each other, but to be having fun, getting fitter, getting fresh air and challenging yourself. You're part of that now, so be proud of yourself!

I’m an avid parkrunner and have done lots of different courses. I’m always happy to have been but don’t enjoy some of the routes. Persevere with this if you can and then you’re in a good habit and you’ll feel so much more grateful of a course/route that you enjoy when those days come again.

You are doing great, I would consider getting some trail shoes, nothing fancy, but you will feel a lot more confident. They are really useful for country walks as well as running if you don't feel you will get much use out of them

OP, I sat on my sofa this morning. You’re doing great

Don't be demoralised OP! You’re outside in the fresh air getting some exercise.
Don't compare yourself to anyone else, especially not hard core runners.

It's supposed to be fun!

When I first started, I watched a heavily pregnant woman overtake me. Then a child. Then an elderly woman. I wasn't quite the slowest but I was right at the bottom. I felt very embarrassed but then realised no one cared.

Your route sounds very difficult though! Hopefully it'll be better in the spring x

Treat yourself to some trail trainers or walking trainers - it’s horrible to be worrying about falling over, and that is one thing that is easy to fix! Then you can do it at your natural pace, and that will feel much better. And well done :-)

I wouldn’t parkrun to save my life! zero stamina even when I was 11!
But was good at short sprints….. & now have rotten knees.
Yoga is much more fun.

Small parkruns are brutal! You’d be nowhere near last at ours.

Keep at it and think how you’re faster than all the people still in their beds!

I try and do one midweek, I have a pt and she makes me run or do some strength training. She is pleased with my progress.

You are a million times faster than me, than anyone sitting on their couch and anyone not doing a park run - don’t knock yourself for having the get up and go to do it.

You’re doing far better than me, I won’t even take part I’m so worried about being last. I think you’re amazing for doing it!

You're way faster than all the millions of people who didn't do it.
Keep at it and you'll get faster.

Park Run is supposed to be fun and open to all runners. It was started by a man who had an injury and wanted to get back into running in a non competitive way. You are only competing against your own PB. Nothing else matters.

I was last in a local 5 mile run once. I was overtaken by a small child with a prosthetic leg! TBF to me, I was having a mild asthma attack at the time and didn't realise it as I hadn't yet been diagnosed and just wondered why I was short of breath from the moment the race began. It was embarrassing at the time and I overheard a snooty mother sniggering about it months later.

But I finished the race, despite the asthma attack.

How many finishers are there at your parkrun? At ours, 45 mins is nowhere near the slowest - we have people up to 58/59 mins.

Dont be demoralised - a 45 min 5km is still the same distance as a 20 min one. Good job 👍🏻

PS Parkrun should always have a ‘tail walker’, which means no one should finish ‘last’, unless the choose to volunteer in that role

If it’s only worry about being last that stops you I would urge you to go and try it out. No one cares what position you come. They really don’t. There’s also a fair chance that you wouldn’t be last at a bigger one as long as you can walk at a brisk pace.

There were 68 finishers today.

Worrying you're going to fall over isn't fun, so I third the recommendation to get some trail shoes if you're going to be doing that parkrun regularly, a good pair should make you feel a lot more secure. The social side can take a bit of time but can be incredibly rewarding, volunteering can help you get to know people more quicky which will make it more fun.

My DS volunteers at park run and the tail walkers often take a good 50 plus mins doing the 5k. No one cares about your time or how you look. I promise you!
You are amazing for getting up on a grey Saturday ans doing it !!

You are amazing OP. I’ve only just got out of bed.
Have a gold star for getting out there and doing it ⭐️

@slet

I do parkrun most weeks. And I have for about 2 years now. I walk though And I just want you to know that times are not actually the be all and end all. Nor is the placement.

My fastest ever time in two years is 46mins. My average is 55 minutes. Not every course is doable in the same time.

Ours is trail, and hilly. Your time today would get you in the front pack of walkers / slow runners at my course.

Please don't get despondent. Can you tey another course with more people?

Ours is huge so that will make a difference but the tail walkers come in with the last crowd and there is always people cheering everyone on. I doubt one person cheering them on ever thought, oh look they were last.

That was me too. But I got fantastic encouragement from the stewards and other runners. Keep going!

I’m a mediocre runner in the middle of the pack and when I’ve seen the last runner with the tail runner at Parkrun I’ve never thought anything negative. Running is tough at any level, and you are doing brilliantly as you are. Parkrun is such a positive movement and I just want to cheer for everyone because I know everyone is cheering for me too. And it’s brilliant you have started in the winter too. You will get faster - just keep going!

It’s nice you have a small Parkrun too. When I started my local was 100 or so, now it’s 400 and much too busy!