I keep trying to pluck up the courage to start going to my local parkrun - I am nervous about the whole walk/jog situation I would be in - but you have inspired me to give it a go!
I actually nearly finished this post by saying "If this post makes ONE person give parkrun a go, it will have been worth writing!". You absolutely should. There are always plenty of people both walking the whole thing and doing run/walk intervals. What is your local one? I'd have a scroll through the recent results for reassurance, that's what I did before I went for the first time.
you must go. Isabel sums up parkrun, it is totally inclusive and highly addictive. I ran/walked/cut corners on mu first parkrun 11 years ago and I'm still turning up but not "cheating" any more! You will love it.
Love this. I wore my 25 purple t-shirt for the first time this weekend and have never felt more proud of myself! I only started parkrun in February and as someone who never liked running before then I LOVE my new Saturday routine. Great for my own head space too! I have visited a few different parkruns and the vibe is always the same. So many lovely people who encourage you and always amazing volunteers!!
I love this so much! I am decidedly not a runner - a wonky knee - and am instead a very slow and steady cyclist. but I really like the vibe of parkrun and we will always stop and cheer the runners on. I just think it’s great there’s an ever expanding array of activities that don’t involve balls being lobbed at my head (in high school I broke my nose 2x in a month). We did an orienteering course this weekend and it was so much fun. My 7 year old thought his friends shouldn’t be running between stations because “how can they enjoy the walk in the woods and the crunch of the leaves?” so perhaps he’s a bit more like me.
Brilliant articulation of the joy of parkrun and all that comes with it! As someone with a previous sworn hatred of running I’m now dangerously close to snaring my 25 T-shirt, plotting an A-Z of parkruns and have a half marathon in my sights. Happy birthday to parkrun and long may it continue.
When I tell people about my weekend schedule - "well I have parkrun at 9 on Saturday" and they come back with "can't you do your park run another time or on Sunday?"
My first ever parkrun was Highbury Fields over a decade ago now. I saw some kids running around at the start and thought "at least I won't be last". Of course those kids lapped me. I came fourth to last, and that's before I knew about the official last person, the tail runner as it was called then. My time was 32 minutes something. It was really interesting to learn that is closer to the average finish time now.
I did parkrun (had to correct the autocorrect for the p!) once, about 5.5 years ago. Would you believe I still have my barcode stuck on the fridge?!! I should really go again!
You’ve got me!! “I think the “I don’t like running with other people” brigade are also the “I hate organised fun” brigade”: I am in both brigades! Running with LOTS of other people, I guess, is fine, as in for an actual race, but running with a mate? No ta. I don’t want either of us to feel that we have to adjust our pace to benefit the other 🤷♀️
You have reminded me of something my fab previous manager used to say “striving for mediocrity” 😆
And, I 100% agree with you on the “as a mother…” thing 🖕
The nice thing about parkrun is you don’t have to run “with” anyone, but you’re running near other people. I particularly enjoy eavesdropping on other people’s conversations while I try to take my mind off the hills 😀
I keep trying to pluck up the courage to start going to my local parkrun - I am nervous about the whole walk/jog situation I would be in - but you have inspired me to give it a go!
I actually nearly finished this post by saying "If this post makes ONE person give parkrun a go, it will have been worth writing!". You absolutely should. There are always plenty of people both walking the whole thing and doing run/walk intervals. What is your local one? I'd have a scroll through the recent results for reassurance, that's what I did before I went for the first time.
I’ll do that! Thank you!
Isabel!! I JUST DID PARKRUN!!
Yes!!!!!! How did it go???
So well!! Lovely bunch of people and I grinned all the way round. I managed to follow the wrong crowd and miss out a lap 😆 but went back and did it!
you must go. Isabel sums up parkrun, it is totally inclusive and highly addictive. I ran/walked/cut corners on mu first parkrun 11 years ago and I'm still turning up but not "cheating" any more! You will love it.
Love this. I wore my 25 purple t-shirt for the first time this weekend and have never felt more proud of myself! I only started parkrun in February and as someone who never liked running before then I LOVE my new Saturday routine. Great for my own head space too! I have visited a few different parkruns and the vibe is always the same. So many lovely people who encourage you and always amazing volunteers!!
I love this so much! I am decidedly not a runner - a wonky knee - and am instead a very slow and steady cyclist. but I really like the vibe of parkrun and we will always stop and cheer the runners on. I just think it’s great there’s an ever expanding array of activities that don’t involve balls being lobbed at my head (in high school I broke my nose 2x in a month). We did an orienteering course this weekend and it was so much fun. My 7 year old thought his friends shouldn’t be running between stations because “how can they enjoy the walk in the woods and the crunch of the leaves?” so perhaps he’s a bit more like me.
Hope parkrun have signed you up as an ambassador / influencer / send you all their merch x
Brilliant articulation of the joy of parkrun and all that comes with it! As someone with a previous sworn hatred of running I’m now dangerously close to snaring my 25 T-shirt, plotting an A-Z of parkruns and have a half marathon in my sights. Happy birthday to parkrun and long may it continue.
When I tell people about my weekend schedule - "well I have parkrun at 9 on Saturday" and they come back with "can't you do your park run another time or on Sunday?"
My first ever parkrun was Highbury Fields over a decade ago now. I saw some kids running around at the start and thought "at least I won't be last". Of course those kids lapped me. I came fourth to last, and that's before I knew about the official last person, the tail runner as it was called then. My time was 32 minutes something. It was really interesting to learn that is closer to the average finish time now.
I did parkrun (had to correct the autocorrect for the p!) once, about 5.5 years ago. Would you believe I still have my barcode stuck on the fridge?!! I should really go again!
You’ve got me!! “I think the “I don’t like running with other people” brigade are also the “I hate organised fun” brigade”: I am in both brigades! Running with LOTS of other people, I guess, is fine, as in for an actual race, but running with a mate? No ta. I don’t want either of us to feel that we have to adjust our pace to benefit the other 🤷♀️
You have reminded me of something my fab previous manager used to say “striving for mediocrity” 😆
And, I 100% agree with you on the “as a mother…” thing 🖕
The nice thing about parkrun is you don’t have to run “with” anyone, but you’re running near other people. I particularly enjoy eavesdropping on other people’s conversations while I try to take my mind off the hills 😀
Love your parkrun passion Isabel. Willing you towards your black t-shirt ……