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 slowest time at the parkrun I did yesterday was 1 hour 14. 45 minutes or so sounds pretty respectable to me in muddy conditions.

Most parkruns around me were cancelled yesterday - either waterlogged or just underwater!

There's a race organiser called Barnes Fitness in the Reading area and they are now giving a bottle of prosecco to the last finisher at their races.

Well done you for getting out there and doing it - the weather is horrid, ground conditions hideous (saying this as someone dog walking daily who is sliding about in the mud and wouldn’t dream of running in it!). You are amazing just doing it 🙌🏻

You’ve done it! Be proud of your achievement 👏👏

Well done! I get lapped by my children every time I do it. Doesn’t matter a jot.

We both cover the same distance, but I can claim I worked harder as I exercised for longer 😄

You need trail shoes. No wonder you were slipping everywhere

As others have said (but you need to know that we mean it) you were faster than everyone who stayed home. It will get easier, the sun will shine, the mud will dry out and you will get to know people.

Well, I’ve never done it so you’re quicker than me.

You’re faster than anyone sat on the sofa or still in bed!

Keep going op you’re doing really well, the weather will improve sooner than you know and the ground will be drier. I focus on this and it helps me feel better 😊

I am completely late to this post but DO NOT EVER feel bad for being in a park run, exercising or coming last in your run!!

Bravo to you!

You have taken initial steps, you have got off the couch so doing more than some of us!! I note the irony as I sit here on my couch with a full belly of food .. but I am envious that you have the discipline to do it. Once again bravo!

You will get better, it's just your body adjusting .. our body wants to preserve energy, not spend it .. the mind may work against you for this very reason .. you got this!

Well done! I'm proud of you!

But you did it which is more than most people. 42min is respectable finishing time - the average time for women! The slowest ones at my local park run take a hour (which stills beats the majority of people!!)

just keep turning up and it will get easier

I have a 50 run T-shirt and have never done parkrun in less than 55 minutes. We had a back runner at ours who walked round with the slowest ones and other runners would wait to cheer me (or any other ‘last’ people) on at the end and encourage me to finish on a run. If you enjoy it, don’t worry about coming last - the ethos of parkrun is to encourage people to run ans you will get quicker over time.

This is a message from my mother, who is 80. I showed her your message and she wanted to reply, but doesn't have a Mumsnet account.

When I started to Parkrun in 2011, it was really all Club runners, serious runners, so I was always at the rear. It sounds like you have found yourself at that sort of Parkrun, really unusual these days. It’s true what other people have said to you, you will get quicker, but honestly you don’t want to get into that mindset. Parkrun is for fun, it’s a run, not a race as they say every week.

Personally I wouldn’t go to your second Parkrun. It’s upsetting for you. Go back to the one you started at which sounds much more friendly. Or volunteer to tail run at the second.

I had an ulcer last year, and couldn’t run for months. Now I am always last by at least two or three minutes. Passed by elderly men and women, babies in buggies. But it gets me up and out whatever the weather, and honestly, in the best company.

That’s a great time and you’d be no where near the back at my local park run.
keep going and maybe find a bigger run where you wouldn’t be at the back? ❤️

OP. Well done for taking up Parkrun. As you said it is early days so don't be too hard on yourself. I was the slowest Parkrunner at ours yesterday. I did it in 52 mins which is slower than normal, but like yours, our course was very muddy and slippery in parts. You are out there doing it whilst loads of other people are still in bed. I love Parkrun, everyone is so friendly and encouraging. Please keep going and welcome to the Parkrun community

Massive well done for going at all, it’s such a positive achievement - especially in this shitty weather we’ve been having.
Ive just checked results from our local one, there were 701 finishers and about 50 of them would have come in after you.
Park run is for EVERYONE, fast, slow, everything inbetween. Keep showing up.

@slet i can guarantee that next week you will feel 100 times better doing it, than taking your son to volunteer and then not doing it!

A) you’re doing it
B) you’re running?
C) you’re finishing.
Having asthma I can’t run but can walk forever, and that’s what I do. I’m frequently last (apart from the designated last person) and that’s just how it is.
I love the Parkrun ethos and am just happy to take part 😍

The whole point of parkrun is that no-one, however slow, is ever the last. 44minutes in horrible mud is about right I'd say. It's an amazing initiative, and well done for getting started. Keep going.
Disclaimer: I am something of a parkrun evangelist. I think it's done so much to help the physical and mental health of the nation.

Smaller PRs are hard for this. It's an event for you as much as everyone else, if you look up the times for the big ones like Bushy Park etc you'll see literally dozens of people finishing in the same kind of time as you, which is a very respectable time.

If you were doing the same run (same conditions, same pace, same distance) and there was literally not one single person able to see you, how would you feel then, would you enjoy it? If yes then you need to tell yourself that everyone is too busy thinking about what they are doing to dedicate any headspace to thinking about what you're doing, then repeat it until it starts to sink in. I've been there and it's easier said than done but is worth persisting with if you would otherwise like running.

If no, then I think the 'advice' my PT gave me is worth repeating: "if you're only running once or twice a week of course it's going to feel hard!". That was a game changer for me as I didn't enjoy my runs until I forced myself to go out consistently three times per week. The enjoyment snuck in while I wasn't looking. The other option is to focus on other ways to exercise, which is also a valid choice. You could consider park walking or volunteering alongside your son as alternate methods of taking part in the parkrun.

You got up, got there, took part and were faster than last week. I call that a good result.
I did this once - walked much of the way - running is not my thing - and was one of the last - and got a few claps. I reckon for persevering.

Cross country running is a sport where when you are first starting out, you should only be competing against your best time. This is where you are with only 3 under your belt. As you get better, then measure your place from last. Celebrate for example being 4th from last. Then celebrate when you’re in the middle of the pack (adjusted for age and sex).

You’re still faster than everyone who is still in bed!