Parkrun, anyone else do it?

[Paul Mabley]

Been to our local parkrun a couple of times now, down in Aylesbury. Just happened to bump in to Barry, one of our members in Thames Valley on his first one this morning which was good, he did really well after having been a bit nervous at the start.

This is where you find out about it all:
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/

For those who haven't heard of it, it's basically a group of people that meet up to run 5k as a fun, family event catering for all standards from beginner trying to get fit or loose weight to very quick club runners.

It's free to do it, very friendly and they do them all over the country on a Saturday morning at 9am. Very motivating, everyone gets cheered at the end and there's absolutely no pressure to do anything but run at your own pace and enjoy yourself.

The kids really love doing it too, I'd highly recommend it as a good way of getting a bit fitter for a relatively small effort.

I started running 5k last summer as a bit of fitness training for cycling, I was running and walking it having never run that far before and did my first one in 45 minutes, I did today's in 31 which is my 10th run so you can see how quickly you can improve. It took me two runs to run a whole 5k without stopping and I've been up to 10k so far. The last couple of runs I added 20-25 miles on the bike each time as training for a duathlon next month.

Pic on the way there this morning on the bike:

[tr7v8]

Why are you running Paul? Cars broken?
Sounds like exercise to me

[Paul Mabley]

You're probably right Jim!

[951Torqing]

Just need to add the swimming & then you will be try athlete

[944-Scott]

I'm working up to it (steadily) I have not run for about 16 years and this old frame is feeling it. However last Monday I finally managed to hit 3 miles, does not sound much but for me its a milestone

[Paul Mabley]

3 miles = 5k just about, I think that's pretty good going!

Find your local parkrun, good motivator and makes it feel a bit nicer in a group with all standards of runner.

Barry Managed a 35 minute time I just saw on the results table, fantastic result as it was his first one and I don't think he'll mind me saying he's in the 65-69 age category.

@951 try athlete I'm poor at running, swimming is pretty much non-existent, however have to start learning as we're going on a 2 week family sailing holiday in July!

[944-Scott]

I did join our local running club last august, enjoyed the induction day (group running etc) but the very next day I managed to tear a ligament in my knee. Its been slow progress getting to where I am now but the purchase of a treadmill has helped no end plus it means I have no excuse not to run when the weather is rubbish. I now run every weekday night, its the first thing I do when I get home from work and I rest on the weekends. I have no plans to run huge distances but when the weather does improve I might well do a few park runs.

Maybe there should be a Porsche park run

[Paul Mabley]

I did a Duathlon with Kerry (my wife) yesterday.

Standard distance 10k run, 40k bike, 5k run in 3 1/2 hours.

It's for good athletes, not people like me, my legs hurt today, Kerry's fine