Saturday I ran my first Parkrun

Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in:https://www.parkrun.org.uk/

I ran in the Eastbourne Shinewater Parkrun.

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/eastbourne/

Up until now I had only run on my own. I started running just over a year ago with the Couch to 5K App. I have gradually built up my running distance after finishing Couch to 5K to about 11K, albeit it takes me a while! I’m training for the Eastbourne half marathon in March, so as part of my training and to experience running with others I decided to do a Parkrun. I went into it feeling fairly confident. That soon disappeared when I arrived. I felt way out of my depth among all those pro-looking runners in their ‘on trend’ running gear, stretching and jogging on the spot, warming up as we stood waiting to start on a very wet and windy Saturday morning. Then we were off and I was bunched in the crowd. At this point I felt more confident and started to enjoy it. I started off faster than I’d like but found my pace once the fast runners shot off. However it quickly became apparent I was a jogger not a runner, although the friendliness and encouragement from the marshals and better runners was welcomed. I kept with it, jogging the whole distance. The going was slippery and full of deep puddles. I didn’t come last! I came 235 out of 257 with a time of 36.58. Safe to say I was in the slower crowd but I enjoyed it and will keep going as other commitments allow. I have five months to keep working towards the half marathon. I don’t really mind how long it takes me to run the course. I want to finish and finish in time to get a finishers medal!