Should I try park run?

[afromom]

I’m pondering whether I should join park run! I started taking WLI in February 2025 and have lost just over 7 stone. I’m now in the 14stone bracket so feeling like I need to up my exercise and gain some stamina. I joined the gym in July and have been going perhaps 2 or 3 times a week every other week or so, so not really in a good routine. That’s my first resolution this year to achieve at least 2 trips a week consistently. I also often take myself off for a walk and can walk an hour or 2 with no problem.

The issue comes when I tackle a hill or attempt anything more strenuous than a walk! I find myself out of breath so quickly and it’s really frustrating! I’ve never been a runner, always found the stamina and breathing a challenge. But this year I’d like to beat it once and for all.

My weight loss is starting to slow as you would expect after such rapid loss and I really need to work on strength and fitness this year, now I'm more confident to be seen out in public.
park run seems like a good place to start, but as I know I can’t run 5k, I’m worried I’ll be last and keep going back in my head to the mortified unfit 22stone person I was this time last year.

Is it really ok to walk in park run, is this a good place to start? Also would it help to try couch to 5k alongside it?

Thank you in advance for any tips!

Well today is the day, I’m going to give it a go. For anyone still around I’ll let you know how I get on!

Yay! Im just off to it too. Good luck! I look forward to your update

Well I didnt quite have a heart attack, so I’m taking that as a win! I was 242nd out of 251, and did it in 50.23. I was aiming for under 50, so almost made it. I’ll definitely go back as I am really competitive with myself so need to beat my time next time!
I keep reminding myself that this time last year I was 22 stone and now at 7 and 1/2 stone down I’m already doing well. I would have never have made it round the course last year.
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to take part, I do feel proud of myself for doing it. It’s definitely more of a running course, not many walkers but if I’m only competing with myself it doesn’t really matter if most finished as I completed my first lap 😂

Well done OP. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

If you download the 5k app, you can have a look for other ones near to you (look under events) and it give you a bit of info on each course.

I like the one loop courses the most, and ours has more walkers than runners. So definitely have a look to see what else is close to you.
Your time is really good imo. I have done 70 now and only some times come in at your time. But our course is full trail course with a fair few hills, so don't get despondent if you have slower time elsewhere. I don't do it for the time either, but I know some folk do..

@Highlighta thank you that’s really reassuring to hear. I did think I would explore a few others around, there seems to be 5 within a twenty minute drive of me. This one is just across in the next village so handy. It’s also flat which was a big pull as I’m awful with hills. I’ll maybe keep updating on here to keep my motivation going whilst I get used to it.

That’s brilliant! You’ve inspired me at least to think about going back. I used to do it with ds, he ran the 5k, I ran 2.5 and finished at the same time as him 😂 and I have also been 91st of 91 at parkrun early on. That was difficult tbh, because the tail sweeper ran with me and was quite clearly ‘coaching’ me to keep running even though I’d planned to run/walk, it was miserably uncomfortable, and he was disapproving of having music with the run so I felt I had to keep talking to him. I also peed myself a bit and was hoping to fade out before the end to avoid attention but he sort of cheered me in. At the end he visibly thought he’d done a great job, but I didn’t go back for over a year. These days I think I’d be more assertive, plus better at managing a bit of stress incontinence… Doing 1 lap only fixed all that for me and I might take a fellow run/walk person with me. Hope you go back!

That sounds awful@PermanentTemporary I’m sorry your first experience was like that. That would have definitely put me off today. hopefully if you return you’ll have a better group to support.

The volunteers were really lovely at the one today. Very encouraging without being pushy. It felt like a nice group. I’m hoping I’ll continue to enjoy it.

I’m pleased that others are encouraged to start or return. It’s nice to know others are alongside me!

Oh that's brilliant OP - well done! 😊

Glad to hear it was ok.
I'm sure you'll sneak under 50 mins next time. Everyone gets a bit quicker after the first one.

Ah, well done @afromom! So glad you had a good experience.

Join ParkRun some people run for a bit, jog for a bit the walk for a bit, then go back to running again. As you get fitter you can walk less and run more. You will get a rist band so you can keep track of your completion times over time.

Well done @afromom! Welcome to the parkrun community.

absolutely

I’ve just done my 152nd. It’s amazingly inclusive. Ours is very busy, 400 people of all shapes sizes and ages, and always a few walkers who generally finish in less than an hour

you can look up the results of your local one and see what time the last people come in at. If it’s over 50 minutes they probably walked.

it will be amazingly motivating to get your times down as part of c25k or similar

Sorry should have rtft

well done and welcome to the parkrun community. You did great

Thats why I like the idea too.

Well done OP, I absolutely love parkrun. I was very similar to you when I started, I was on WLI and after losing my first 5 stone I did c25k. Absolutely loved it, and after completing it I started doing parkrun. I completed it in about 44 minutes the first time, today was my 11th one and I did it in 37 minutes. Keep at it, you will improve! And definitely give c25k a go, it’s a brilliant programme and it really works! I’ve lost over 13 stone now, am at target and maintaining well, I’m still running 3 times a week including parkrun (weather permitting).

Thanks @MummyInTheNecropolis well done on your achievements! That’s amazing, I’m hoping for another 3 1/2 stone to target, so it’s definitely time to work on toning and fitness. I’m going to try C25k it will be useful to have some structure rather than making it up as I go along.

Well done 👏 a great start. You'll be a little quicker each week. I'll check back in next Saturday to see how you go

C to 5 k app nhs is great
First time you could just go see parkrun maybe time it to see the people coming in at 45 to 55 minutes i am sure will be encouraging..and no one will mind if first times you drop out half way and walk back home or to car

You can look at the results pages of other local parkruns to see which has most people (usually means more walkers) or volunteer as tail walker at your local one.

Absolutely fantastic OP, hopefully you'll catch the parkrun bug and you'll never get a Saturday lie in again 😁 I'm encroaching on 450 and it's always a fabulous community and get to see my friends for a catch up and coffee after.

Super work! Well done!

I used the NHS C25K app, once I had lost 5 stone, and took part in a local running club C25K course. I loved it! I did my first running 5k at the end of November and I am now building up to my first 10k run at the end of March.

keep going @afromom

I can honestly say in all the years l have done parkrun, no-one has ever invited me for the cuppa that is always advertised

@afromom so don't use this as a means to meet new people as it may not happen

@afromom well done on your first parkrun today! I also did a local parkrun to me.. I have done 38 now! Counting up to 50 so I can get a milestone t shirt! Have to say it does get addictive! I joined a local running group which caters for all abilities and got my time down from 46 to 30 minutes, might be worth seeing if there are any local to you. X