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!

@Fishpieandchips I didn’t make it last Saturday as we went out for the day and I didn’t have time before we left. I have however started up the C5k and have been doing interim runs using that which are starting to get easier. Planning to return this week, so I’ll see how I get on and report back! Thanks for checking in.

Fabulous, well done. Looks like a fair few might be cancelled tomorrow due to the weather so you can check on their fb page or the parkrun website puts up a list of cancelled events.

It was pouring down here this morning so I decided to head to the gym and do a C5k run on the treadmill instead of the parkrun. We are away for the next 2 weekends so I guess I will be back to it in March, but keeping up the C5k in the meantime. Hopefully I be able to run a lot more of the course by then!

Edited because I missed your updates - well done!

afro you are the smart one who isn't looking at a pile of muddy, wet socks and leggings. Going to the gum is still a win.

This winter is one of the grottiest I remember for parkrun. So many are like swaps or cancelled. It'll be better, and quicker when everything dries up.

Yes I did a run in the rain on Thursday night and didn’t fancy another! The one I’ve been going to is on a path but the puddles are huge so not pleasant!