ParkRun Run for your Physical & Mental Health

ParkRun Mini-Faq

• Is it entirely free: YES
• Is it a competition : NO
• How fit should you be: See the website
• Can I start Late?
  If you start late you will still be timed from 9am, if you start too late nobody will be there
• Can I walk the course : YES
  But may be nobody will be at the finish.
• Why should I register?
  If you want your times recorded you need to register so that you can get a barcode.
• Tip: Don't Start too fast
  Let the serious runners ie members of athletics clubs go off first. Don't get caught up with their pace.
• Distance 5km
  Which is 3.1 miles.
• Why not run on your own, why do you need Park Run?
  You have a fixed start time, you get the encouragement of the other people, peer pressure: you don't want to let yourself down, you meet people, there is a cheer when you you finish even if you are last. your times are logged on a website so you can see your progress. It definitely encourages me.

Why I started to Run

1. My current sports were not pushing me hard enough
2. I'd started to notice how many people were jogging
3. I'd been sleeping poorly
4. The Clincher
   I read that 9-11 survivors had taken up running to help then overcome the trauma. While not comparing my situation with theirs it opened me up to the possibility that running can provide mental as well as physical benefits. I've had a few knock-backs recently which I think have caused the poor sleeping habits so I need a boost.
5. T-Shirts
   I was no longer able to convince myself that my t-shirts were shrinking
6. Mirrors
   I have been avoiding full-length mirrors for a long time now.

My Own Experience of Starting up Running

• One evening instead of going swimming I ran
  I set off running not knowing if I even could. I was very pleased to be able to do about 1km with a few pauses.
• I subsequently went running 3 or 4 times a week
  Quite short distances but regularly.
• At Xmas I went running with an old friend
  She took me on my longest run yet, it was along side the Rhine. It was the first time I appreciated how much more fun it is to run in a beautiful location.
• I entered my first 5km (3 miles) Park Run
  I didn't expect to finish but doing something like in a group makes it much easier.
  Although I was last I was not humiliatingly last. This really boosted my confidence.
• If I could do it then practically any one could do it

Why Running/Jogging is so Good for You

1. You can do it any time
   You can run round your neighborhood or park.
2. Cardio : Deep breathing
   You will automatically be doing deep beathing
3. The most exercise in the shortest time
   Running is a whole body exercise which gets you deep breathing very quickly.
4. Why it is good mentally
   For one hour of the week at least I have no worries, or rather just one, I want to finish.

My Running/Jogging Diary

My Experience of ParkRun

• Nov 2011
  Put on my trainers and set off running not knowing if I could, I took a few rests but completed my circuit.
• Started running the same circuit 4 or 5 times a week
  Didn't notice any improvement but kept at it.
• Xmas 2011
  Went running with a friend who took me much further than I would have chosen. I was pleased that I stuck at it.
• Went on my first 5km Parkrun
  Didn't know at all if I could complete 5km (3.1 miles) but wanted to have a good shot. I was soon at the back of the pack with the back-marker runner. About half-way through the circuit looped close to the finish line I feared I might give up at that point but managed to carry on. Soon after I passed the 3km marker (60% mark) and realized that I could and would finish. The thrill of this was sufficient to get me through the last 2 km even though I walked every now and again. I was last but could see the people ahead of me.
• Second Parkrun
  I started my 2nd Parkrun 10 minutes late which meant I was last again and didn't even get a time!
• Third Parkrun Jan 21 2012
  Really enjoyed this one but although I wasn't last and bettered my time by 2 minutes, I was still last of the serious runners.
• Fifth Park Run
  First time I ran the 5km without walking at all. Also my personal best. Still last though!