How parkrun got me running

The start of my running story

While I’ve not always run, running has been there, just out of reach for most of my life. I think all of my family have been runners to some extent at some point, with my Dad being by far the most keen. He’s run a few marathons among other races and has been a long time member of Preston Harriers.

So, with running apparently in my blood, why haven’t I always been a runner? That would be a very good question!

The pre-parkrun and pre-Garmin days

With my job tying me to a computer for most of the time, a few years ago I noticed that I was becoming increasingly sedentary and my weight increased to a lifetime high. I’ve always been quite a spindly thing and my belly was becoming an issue!

I did the sensible, middle-aged thing and joined a local gym, which I enjoyed for a while. I gradually gravitated more and more towards the treadmill, slowly building up to 10km. I certainly wouldn’t have called myself a runner - 10km indoors felt like a hollow victory - I more and more wanted to be running outside.

Tentatively, I started doing short outdoor runs, no more than 2 or 3km. It really felt a lot harder running outside. There were corners, hills, potholes; it rained, snowed and the sun beat down, very occasionally!

To my detriment though, I was running alone with no advice or encouragement, where at times I could probably have used some of each. This was partly on purpose - other runners felt like superhumans. I’d seen them whizzing round the park, running twice as fast as I could have managed or imagined.

There’s also a running mentality in some quarters that I find quite elitist. Its easy to find posts on the internet saying things like, “You’re not a runner if can’t run X miles in less than Y minutes”. I find that very unappealing and it put me off talking to other runners. I shouldn’t have let it though and please don’t make that same mistake.

parkrun!

When my old trainers finally started to cause me problems in late 2010, I popped to a local running specialist shop to get some decent running shoes. It was there that I first heard the term parkrun!

I checked out the parkrun website and found that the Coventry parkrun start line was less than 1km from home. The parkrun ethos seemed right up my street and on the 15th of January, 2011, I turned up for my first parkrun. However, in a somewhat inauspicious start to my parkrun story, I went to the wrong start line, the route having recently changed, so missed the start of the run.

Encouraged by a really friendly marshal, I decided to join in anyway, and the marshal would be my start and finish line. I really enjoyed it and finished in a little over 26 minutes, which I was very pleased with.

I became an occasional parkrunner - not weekly by any stretch. However, gaining confidence with the help of other runs through the week my times gradually improved and I ended the year with a 23:20 PB.

Garmin*

* other GPS sports watches are available

The addition of a GPS watch to my running kit meant that I could finally get my geek on and paw over pace, elevation & heart rate graphs! In all seriousness though, being able to easily log my runs and performance over time was very motivating and with the Olympics hoo-ha in full swing, I challenged myself to finish the year with a sub 20 minute PB at Coventry parkrun.

As it happens, I wish I’d been more careful in my choice of challenge - had it been for 20 minutes or less, I would have done it, but with a time of 20:00, I failed!

The volunteers

The focus I gained with the 20 minute challenge improved my running no end and I became a much more regular parkrunner. I certainly felt more inclined to call myself a runner.

parkrun though, isn't just about the running. Without the fabulous volunteers who stage parkrun at (time of writing), 267 locations every week, parkrun couldn't exist. So, when I'm not running, I'm volunteering - I've had a go at most of the roles now, the most recent being the Run Director role.

Despite initial terror, the great support I got form the Event Director, Jason, as well as the rest of the volunteer team on the day, meant that it went very smoothly and I’m looking forward to next time.

parkrun again

because this is what parkrun is all about

After having gradually chipped away at my PB in early 2013 - down to 19:44 - I arrived at Memorial Park on an unremarkable 4th of May & began the parkrun well. I managed to keep up a good pace into the second and third kilometres, further than usual, and felt good. A lovely thing then happened - a lovely parkrun thing. Somewhere between the third and fourth kilometres, a friend pulled alongside. Ian would normally be finishing a couple of minutes ahead of me, but was recovering from injury and he’d started from the back of the field, taking it relatively easy as he worked his way forward. We exchanged a few words and he and I realised that I had a significant PB within my grasp, so he joined me for the rest of the run, no questions asked.

His words of encouragement were exactly what I needed - I gritted my teeth, dug deep and crossed the line in 19:10, a 31s PB! I was staggered that I’d managed it & really grateful to Ian, who after all, could have just run on.

I've had similar parkrun experiences in the past where marshals and runners, friends and strangers have offered encouragement just at the right time, and that really does make a difference. While parkrun isn't overtly competitive, at least in the race sense, it is about challenging yourself and aiming high, but in a friendly nurturing environment. The support of your fellow runners can help you achieve your goals - and achieving your running goals can give you confidence to go on and achieve goals in other walks of life. I really believe that.

At the end of the day

So can I call myself a runner? For me, the thing that tips the balance firmly to Yes, is that I've recently picked up a running injury. I wear it like a badge of honour. I'm quite foolishly, ridiculously even, proud of it. I have finally landed!

And the only advice I'd offer, if I felt qualified to give it, would be to talk to other runners. You'll find you're not alone in your misgivings and you'll learn a lot from more experienced runners.

That, and don't forget your barcode. #dfyb

Happy parkrunning!

Peeeee Beeeee!

I did it, I did it, I did it! (I am a big kid when it comes to parkrun). I only went a got myself a nice, shiny, new PB at Coventry parkrun yesterday!

Completely unexpected. Certainly not intended. At least a month ahead of schedule, but somehow I did it!

I have to be honest, I did take a fairly close look at my entire parkrun history on Friday. If you can count copying and pasting my results from the parkrun website into Excel, adding a filter and then ordering them from  fastest to slowest as "a fairly close look" that is!

As a result I realised that I had only ever done 9 sub 18 minute parkruns at Coventry. For a nearly a year now I have considered that sub 18 minutes is where I should be as a matter of course on any parkrunday that I decide to "try". Clearly, the fact I had only done it 9 time before suggests that it is not quite my default time yet. Anyay, I also noticed that after my PB of 17:28, there was a substantial gap to my second best of 17:46 and I decided that it was about time I stuck another tme in that gap. So my aim was for 17:45 or just a bit quicker.

Something else that I noticed when looking at all my results was that my most common position at parkrun is 2nd place. Before yesterday I had finished 2nd on 11 occasions. Make that 12 then now after yet another 2nd place yesterday.

Even during my run yesterday I never really considered the possibility of a new PB. I was just planning my second fastest run at Coventry parkrun. The first lap was pretty quick, but comfortable, as I sat in behind a group of 3 decent club runners. A couple of times I thought they were going to drop me, but I just ensured that I sat on the back of the group. Equally a couple of times I thought I could go a bit faster, but sensibly (and tactically?) I stayed in behind them, for my second fastest first lap (that I can remember) of 8:48.

As soon as we passed the finish line at the end of the first lap I decided that was the time to start to wind up my pace. Looking back now I think I may have gone even faster had I stayed in behind them a while longer. The 2nd lap certainly felt a bit harder. Somehow though I managed to make the second lap faster than the first and I believe it was my fastest lap ever at Coventry parkrun, completing it in 8:39 for a new parkrun PB of 17:27, beating my previous PB by a single solitary second. All the pleasure of a PB without making further improvement too hard!

When I crossed the line and glanced at my watch to see that it was very possibly a PB (depending on official timings) I even gave the air a little punch of delight. I don't think I have stopped smiling since!

Thank you parkrun, for getting me into running, for making running my sport of choice and for giving me great feelings like this. I am officially, at the age of 38 years old, faster than I have ever been before (at 5km at least!).

That is part 1 of my summer of 4 PB targets done. I do still want to improve my parkrun PB further this year, but anyway it is 1 down and 3 to go. Next weekend it's the half marathon!

Even the snow can't stop her!

I felt really bad, but at 7:30am this morning my pre-parkrun chat with my 4 year old Daughter went something like this:

Me: I'm really sorry Ella, but you can't do parkrun today.
Ella: But I want to Daddy.
Me: I want you to Ella, but it's so cold, you won't like it.
Ella: I will. I want to do it.

A few minutes later.

Ella: Daddy I am doing parkrun.
Me: You can't Ella, it's really icy. You might fall and hurt yourself.
Ella: You can hold my hand Daddy.
Me: Ella, it's a really long way to run in the snow and ice. You won't enjoy it. It's too cold.
Ella: I will enjoy it. What clothes shall I put on?
Me: It doesn't matter - you can't do it. I'm going to brush me teeth.

A minute later, whilst brushing my teeth.

Me: Why are you coming in here.
Ella: To brush my teeth to get ready for parkrun.
Me: Ella, it's just not safe.
Ella: I am doing it.

A couple more minutes pass by.

Me: Ella, I'll ask Mummy, she'll agree with me.

Me: Ella wants to do parkrun, I have told her it's too cold and icy.
Mummy: Let her do it, make sure she wears lots of layers.

Me: Ok Ella, get lots of clothes on.
She came back with 4 layers and eventually wore 5, plus hat, scarf and gloves.

And so Ella was allowed to do it. "Crazy" you say, a 4 year old can't do parkrun in the snow! Oh yes she can! Ok, but she won't enjoy it you say. Oh yes she did!

She was a little slower than last week, the traction wasn't great, but she ran almost the whole way again (just a couple of short walks) and never complained at all. And yes, she really did enjoy it again. Unbelievable! I kept asking her if she was enjoying it and the reply was yes every time. And when asking her if she wanted to stop, she would say "at the finish", or "after the funnel".

Fairly close to the end she asked, "can I have cake at the end". Last week a new 100 clubber had brought cakes for everyone, or so I believe (we got there quite late!). Ella had had some and she remembered. Luckily for her, two more 100 club newbies had taken cakes today. So Ella got her way on that too. Unfortunately, she will probably associate cake and parkrun for all time now. I'm sure that there are plenty of others that do too. At least she earns it I suppose! And she doesn't like icing - which was a bonus, as I certainly do!

She has since been told that she has to take a couple of weeks off parkrun now. I think she needs to give her little legs a break. She took it well at the time, but who knows what arguments we may have next week!

I just hope that she can keep that enjoyment of running. That would be brilliant. And as for that determination to both turn up and to do the entire parkrun, well I just find it incredible.

200 Up!

Today I finally ran my 200th parkrun freedom run around the Coventry parkrun course. I believe that I am only the second person to have recorded 200 freedom parkruns, after Ken Fox. Not that anybody other than Ken and myself would care less!

I ran my first parkrun freedom run on the 16th September 2010, so it has taken a little over 2 years, with 106 run this year already.

I know, this is very sad! Not only am I admitting to running the same Coventry parkrun route a couple of times every week (on average), but also to counting them. The parkrun website does help with the counting if I am honest.

To be fair to myself though, my running has mosly been around War Memorial park in Coventry over the last decade or so, so once I knew about parkrun and started running more regularly, it was no great change to switch to the parkrun course rather than the park perimeter path.

I also have to say that, like most parks, War Memorial park in Coventry is a lovely place to go for a run.

Part of my original aim in running parkrun freedom runs was to get to know the Coventry parkrun course a bit better, so as to help improve my times. I know the course so well now that there is no great need for that any more. However, it is still useful to know exactly how far I have run and to be able to compare like for like runs from the present with similar runs in the past.

Looking at trends today I see that I used to run my parkrun freedom runs much harder than I do now. Often trying to get within 30 seconds of my real parkrun PB. My fastest freedom run this year is about 2 minutes 30 seconds off my parkrun PB. I think this shows that I have finally learned not to push it in every training session these days.

Another change to my freedom runs this year has been to use them as interval sessions. My favourite being 500 metres fast, then 500 meres slow, followed by 1 km fast then 500 metres slow. That perfectly fits into the 2.5km parkrun lap and I know exactly where the 500 metres marks are, so it is a simple session for me to stick to. I tend to do that lap 4 times for a double parkrun (10km).

So, even though I know it is repetitive, I am sure that I will continue to run parkrun freedom runs for a while to come, both because it makes my training so simple and because I love being in Memorial park whenever I can be.

Run Director first timer

This coming Saturday will be my first time as a parkrun Run Director.

I have been running at Coventry parkrun regularly for the last two and a half years. I have volunteered a fair number of times too (roughly 10 or 12 at a guess), having taken on each of the following roles on one or more occasions: Marshal, Numbers, Barcode Operator, Funnel Management and Results Administrator (website results uploads).

This coming weekend I will be taking on the Run Director role at Coventry parkrun for the very first time. I will actually be sharing the role with my brother, but as he has done it before, I will attempt to take on as much as I can. In fact I am also taking on another parkrun volunteer role for the first time this weekend, having never been the Timekeeper before. Good luck everybody!

We have been blessed with an Amazing Event Director (ED) at Coventry parkrun. Jason Douglas has not only been the ED, but also, on almost every single parkrunday since February 2010, he has been the Run Director as well. This is an incredible commitment and I don't think it can be praised highly enough. I believe (but may be wrong) that only 3 others have taken on the Run Director role at Coventry, and certainly less than 10 times in total between them. I am hoping that Jason will take the opportunity to run Coventry parkrun for just the second time. No least because he is in the Sphinx Coombe 8 the next day (like me) and it will make him a little easier to beat with a parkrun in his legs!

I think I know most of what I need to know about what is expected from the Run Director, and I'm sure all the blanks will quickly be filled in once we get started. I'm planning to be ready to start at 8am so that I have a full hour in case any unexpected things crop up. I think it's going to be fun.

As for the Timekeeper role, I'll get Andy to press he start button as I set the runners off on the run. And then, as I understand it, the tricky part comes from 15 minutes later onwards and is making sure that I get the right number of button presses to go with runners crossing the line. It's all in the timing I suppose!

Possibly I could (or should?) be daunted by the prospect of taking on these two roles for the first time, but I am really looking forward to it. I may suffer from a few nerves leading up to it, but I think it is just going to be a buzz knowing that for once I have really given something back to parkrun. After all, parkrun has given me so much over the last couple of years. And with a bit of luck we will allow Jason to have a proper parkrunday off!

I'm really looking forward to it. What could possibly go wrong?!

As long as I don't ruin everything and have to head off into hiding, I will let you know how it goes.

Name: Sarah Fry
Home parkrun: Coventry
Date of first parkrun: 21/08/2010
Total Number of parkruns: 20
My parkrun history:
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/swindon/results/athletehistory?AthleteNumber=85386
4 in Swindon
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/coventry/results/athletehistory?AthleteNumber=85386
16 in Coventry

Why did I start running?
Because I wanted to get fitter and keep weight off and running seemed the most efficient way to do it! I used to just do 10 minutes at a time on the treadmill and it was HELL but obviously as I got fitter and I got more used to running it got easier. Although I now know that I need to stop the treadmill before bending down to tie my shoelace.

Why parkrun?
I wanted to get quicker and a Facebook friend mentioned it in response to one of my open questions. I had previously never heard of parkrun. Tried it once and was hooked! Soon the partner and baby were doing it too. The baby in a pushchair of course. We tried it once without but she couldn’t keep up.

Most memorable parkrun? Coventry tends to give the parkrun before Christmas a festive theme. I was running on behind one of the many Santas and next thing I knew his belt had broken and I was getting mooned by Santa. I was a bit concerned about what was going to happen on Christmas day.

Why swap between Coventry and Swindon
Coventry is officially my ‘home’ parkrun but when I visit my partner’s parents they conveniently have Swindon parkrun fairly close. It’s a really lovely route so I try to get in a parkrun if possible when I visit.

Parkrun goals
To one day get a sub 20 5k. I’m improving slowly but I’ve got a way to go yet. However, it’s on The List.

Note - obviously the picture isn't from Coventry Parkrun. We can get a bit competitive at Coventry but we don't usually push each other in the mud :)

I love it when a plan comes together!

Thirteen months ago I set my last PB of 17:49 and won my one and only parkrun (to date). At the time that was a massive PB, by 25 seconds, only achieved by the lure of that first place finish.

To be totally honest I thought it would be a very long time before I could challenge that time again. As it turned out I got fairly close a couple of times before my injury troubles started about a year ago.

First there was an innocuous hamstring strain, then re-injury. A period of recovery followed, only for a calf injury to really start my injury woes. That calf injury stay with me on and off from April to November, with a few sessions of physio providing only temporary relief.

I'm not sure which magic mathematically figure "ump" is, but when (in November) the calf strain occurred for the umpteenth time I had really had enough of it!

My next period of physio worked wonders as we decided that this time the recovery had to be slow and steady, rather than my normal rush back to full pace.

I left it a month before jogging. My first parkrun back was a walk/jog in over 38 minutes. I was as pleased to get through that run as I have been with some flat out runs! The next was 26 minutes, then a couple around 23 minutes. Honestly this was taking it very sensibly for me.

That took me to the turn of the year and the formulation of my plan to get back towards me best. I planned to do the 10km Regency Run in Leamington in mid April and everything was planned to get there at or near my best.

The plan was to try to improve slowly, knocking 20 seconds off each week, or whatever felt comfortable on the day, but never pushing myself. Just see how it felt with no risk of injury. Staying in the injury risk-free safety zone.

I ran 23 minutes again at the start of January. Then a bit over 21. A bigger step than planned but all felt fine. Next I broke 20 minutes, then 19:21 and then a sub 19. These were consecutive parkruns and I realise this was quick progress, but every run I felt stronger and the calf felt fine.

I knew I couldn't maintain that kind of progress any longer, only to be proved wrong with another 34 seconds knocked off at my last parkrun two weeks ago, finishing in 18:18. Wow, I'm back I thought!

So to today. I had run 6 parkruns this year, each faster than the one before. Today I knew it would be hard, to say the least, to keep that run going. I would have taken a one second improvement for sure.

So what I want to know is, how on earth did I take another 32 seconds off the previous parkrun time, breaking my old PB in the process to record a new PB of 17:46? How us that in any way possible?

I may have to go into that in a bit more detail in another post, as this one is long enough, I'm sure you'll agree.

To finish, I have to say that the PB is great, even if totally unexpected, but the best thing of all is that the calf didn't give me any trouble at all and I think I can fairly safely say that that bout of injury is behind me now. I'm also ready for my 10km a month early and I couldn't be happier about that!

parkrun Course Description: Coventry

I suppose the clue is in the name, "parkrun". And being a run based in a park location I'm sure that most parkrun courses offer the more scenic views that our Towns and Cities have to offer.



I doubt that Coventry is the most beautiful, or the least, but Coventry parkrun is my home parkrun and I want to describe it for you in words and pictures, so that all parkrunners can get a better idea of what a parkrun tourist trip to War Memorial park in Coventry would have in store for you.


Firstly the logistics....There is a massive free car park within the park, adjacent to the course and only 500 metres from the start line. The car park is signposted as the "park and ride" for miles around. I can't see Coventry parkrun ever becoming too big for this car park.



The course is in a capital B shape, starting at the mid-point of the straight line and heading upwards, then doing both the humps of the B before completing the the lower half of the straight line. The B is only 2.5km long and is therefore run twice in the same direction.



The course starts alongside the building housing the main cafe and fairly close to the hardcourt tennis courts and childrens playground. Conveniently, the public conveniences are also located in this building and these are (now) always open before parkrun. The view from the start line:



The first 150 meters are flat and tree-lined, running alongside the crown-green bowls area, before decending downhill for the next 200 meters or so, again tree-lined, bearing slightly to the right half way down the slope. The view downhill:

After the downhill section there is a bit more of a right hand turn before heading uphill for another 200 metres or so, again tree-lined. Starting to get the picture? (yes, its tree-lined most of the way). The uphill section is not too steep, but the length of the hill can catch you out if you have started a little too quickly on the tempting downhill section.

Following the uphill section we have a curved 90 degree right-hand turn, then a further 10 metres uphill, before a steady gentle slope downwards for the next 300 metres or so.

There is another 90 degree turn to the right, slightly tighter then those before it, and then a narrower path with a couple of minor kinks, again slightly downhill for 150 metres, to complete the first kilometre.

The second kilometre starts with a steady uphill straight for 200 metres alongside the tennis courts. This returns you very close to the start finish area. There is a 90 degree left hand turn with a tricky steeper uphill section for the next 50 metres. This reaches the highest point on the course. Another 100 metres on and another 90 degree left hand turn takes you along a 300 metre long, gentle downhill, tree-lined section to the recently refurbished golf pavillion. For the first year or so of Coventry parkrun, this was the finish straight.

Beside the golf pavilion there is a 90 degree right-hand turn. A slight up and down stretch of another 150 metres and a further 90 degree right-hand turn brings you to the main car park. The car park section is about 200 metres long and is the only part of the course that is not lined with trees on both sides. At the end of the car park we have reached the 2km point (4.5km on the second lap).

We then take yet another 90 degree right-hand turn and head uphill for about 300 metres, to return to the highest point of the course.

We are then into the final 200 metres, 50m downhill and then 150 metres flat onto the start finish straight beside the cafe.

The good news is that you then have to do it all again!

The finish line is about 50 metres on from the start line, eye-balling at you at the start, tempting you at the end of the first lap and welcoming you home after the second lap.

I hope that this has helped give you a picture of the Coventry parkrun course. And if it has tempted you to take a parkrun tourist trip to Coventry then I hope to see you there someday.

Stats for first 100 Coventry parkrun Events

Here are some high level stats from the first 100 Coventry Parkrun Events:

Total runs 15,542 of which 37% were in the first 50 events at an average of 115, the second 50 events had an average of 195.5 runners. The current 10 week average is 185.

On average there has been 60 % Males and 40% Female runners.

There have been 90 winners with the fastest male recording 14:59 and the fastest female recording 18:01.


The average run time is 26:51 with an average of 6.3 runs per runner.

Key milestones recorded:
The 1000th runner finished in 39th position at the 10th event: Adam Baugh in a time of 23:42.

The 5000th runner finished in 6th position at the 46th event which was on Xmas Day 2010: Paul Slatford in a time of 19:40.

The 10,000th runner finished in 102nd position at event 71: Narinder Bains in a time of 26:30.

The 15,000th runner finished in 34th position at the 98th event which was on Xmas Day 2011: Laura Tough in a time of 23:42.

Posted on behalf of Coventry parkrunner Sarj Singh.

Parkrun. A view from the rear

Name: Alison Clark
Home parkrun: Coventry
Date of first parkrun: 10/12/1
Total Number of parkruns: 6
Number of other parkrun locations run: 0
Number of times volunteered: 0 but I have emailed to be put ont the rota!
My parkrun history: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/coventry/results/athletehistory?AthleteNumber=210673


I started runnning about 3 years ago. I'm on the wrong side of 40 and never did any exercise before. To say I was unfit when I started was an understatement! I started at the gym where it was nice and warm on the treadmill at the back. It was boring and tedious and I just wasn't making any progress. Someone suggested running outside. The thought terrified me. An unfit, slightly overweight middle aged woman running round the streets of Nuneaton? In Lycra? That first outside run (well, more of a walk/ jog) was the turning point. Early in the morning the only people you see are dog walkers and other runners. No one pays any attention to anyone else out at that time. It was exhilarating. It was the start of the slippery slope. This coincided with a challenging time in my personal life. Running gave me an escape. I did a couple of 5Ks, a 10K (disaster - cross country and totally unprepared), and then the Run to the Beat Half marathon. I finished it, ran all the way and didn't come last. In 2011 I was ill. Running took a back seat. I had surgery in June and entered another Half for the October. This was the incentive to fully recover in 5 months. It worked.
My nephew told me about Parkrun. He runs at Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. I can't believe that I had never heard of it before. I signed up that week but didn't make it on the Saturday. I could say I had a good reason. The truth is, it was cold and my bed was warm. The following week though I had kit and bag ready the night before. I ran it. Now I am hooked!
I love that fact that anyone can take part.
I love the park. Its so beautiful on cold frosty mornings
I love that there are toilets and a cafe
I love that it is free
I love that it is brilliantly organised
I love that everyone is so friendly
I love that it doesn't matter how long everyone lese takes. Its you against the clock.

I'm not a fast runner. I finish in the bottom third. But the view at the rear is just as good. You still get cheered into the finishing tunnel. Yoy still get that sense of achievement when that text arrives telling you that another PB has been set.