parkrun

[KTF]

john2443 said:

Part 1 of a long interview of Tom Williams (parkrun COO) and Ian Williams (FetchEveryone) here -

https://www.fetcheveryone.com/blog/3/2018/6#blog38...

Interesting how he perceives that people who are not going as hard as they can are 'looked down' on as I haven't witnessed that.

At my event the people at the back are working just as hard as the people at the front. Even if they are just plodding or having an easy run round they are still doing better than the people still in bed so who cares what time they do. People run different paces for all sorts of reasons, its the doing it part that counts.

[SpydieNut]

KTF said:

Interesting how he perceives that people who are not going as hard as they can are 'looked down' on as I haven't witnessed that.

Me neither - I really feel that running is running - I can’t think of a single runner I know that has any kind of elitist mentality towards the slower. As a group I’ve always found runners very friendly and generous with tome and advice towards those less experienced.

There’s *always* going to be someone faster and slower than you. If I see someone out jogging, I don’t think ‘why are they not going faster?’ I think ‘well done to them for getting out there’. They are (hopefully) enjoying it - and that’s what it’s all about for me - and they’re keeping fit.

I may be slightly quicker than average, but I’m very far away from fast - but that doesn’t mean for one second I think ‘what’s the point?’. I’m really only competing against myself. In races or parkruns, I’m looking at *my* times and trying to improve. Position is only because, on the day, there were more (or fewer) faster people running too. If I do a 20 min parkrun and come 10th, or 20th, as long as I’ve given it my all, the actual place is immaterial. Does it feel better to come 10th than 20th? Sure. But actually, all it means is that on that day there were only 9 faster people there, and on the other day there were 19.

And I do think it’s harder for the larger / slower runners to do what they do, so actually I have just as much respect, if not more, for them being out, as for the winner. I admire the ability of the winners and those faster than me immensely, but that doesn’t mean I think those slower aren’t doing something worthwhile.

KTF said:

At my event the people at the back are working just as hard as the people at the front. Even if they are just plodding or having an easy run round they are still doing better than the people still in bed so who cares what time they do. People run different paces for all sorts of reasons, its the doing it part that counts.

Absolutely

[warch]

KTF said:

john2443 said:

Part 1 of a long interview of Tom Williams (parkrun COO) and Ian Williams (FetchEveryone) here -

https://www.fetcheveryone.com/blog/3/2018/6#blog38...

Interesting how he perceives that people who are not going as hard as they can are 'looked down' on as I haven't witnessed that.

At my event the people at the back are working just as hard as the people at the front. Even if they are just plodding or having an easy run round they are still doing better than the people still in bed so who cares what time they do. People run different paces for all sorts of reasons, its the doing it part that counts.

Me too. I like the friendly ethos of my local parkrun, people aren't generally cliquey or poo faced like some runners can be. I often have a chat with people on my way round, even if they're passing me or I'm passing them. Of course there's nothing wrong with a bit of friendly rivalry, I often 'race' people I'm on a similar level to, which usually results in a better time or PB all round.

[KTF]

Oh yes, I 'race' people as well (sometimes planned, sometimes not if I catch up with them and they then realise) and many people use me as a target as they know what my average time is.

However, this happens all through the pack on an informal basis and its part of the 'fun'. But again, if people just want to go round at their own pace, go round with friends and chat or whatever then noone thinks any less of them.

A lot of the 17-18min runners stand at the finish to clap others through, go back and pick up their friends to beast them in to the finish, etc. so its not like they all walk off with their noses in the air when the people behind them come in just because they are 'slower'.

I can see why they got rid of the points table though. Any my event there is 250ish finishers every week so if you were there every week and finished high up then you were in with a chance of sitting at or near the top. Worked great for me but less so for those who liked to tourist or finished mid pack. I also think it locked people into one event as straying away meant you scored no points that week.

At other local events like Southampton, where there are 800 to 1k people every week, unless you finished in sub 20(ish) for a top 100 finish position then the points table was useless and they don't mourn its loss.

[Halb]

a points table for volunteers might be a good idea.

[KTF]

Although they shouldn't, the volunteers need an incentive as once they get to 25, all but the hardcore fall off the radar.

[Halb]

that top is a real incentive for me, I'm getting closer

but I won't disappear when I get it, but it's just nice to have a goal

[Evanivitch]

KTF said:

Although they shouldn't, the volunteers need an incentive as once they get to 25, all but the hardcore fall off the radar.

In fairness, if everyone volunteered 25 times then they wouldn't have any issue at all!

And I say that as someone that will probably achieve the top, but by doing it at Junior Parkrun.

[The jiffle king]

I was chatting with a friend who started Black Park parkrun and he gave me lots of insight into the value of parkrun. In his opinion Parkrun is not for the faster club runners although they are more than welcome. It's to get people moving and he said that most of the quicker runners do encourage others or support the event regularly through volunteering.

My running club on any given weekend will have 15 volunteers out of 250 people and probably 30 run various events.

I'm in that quicker group of runners and I don't use Parkrun as a race, more as a tempo run for 3 miles and usuallyt jog there and jog home. I do stay around and take more pleasure from the runners beating 32 minutes for the first time than my tempo. Parkrun has evolved brilliantly into supporting the masses rather than the running clubs and I think it's great!

[madazrx7]

KTF said:

Interesting how he perceives that people who are not going as hard as they can are 'looked down' on as I haven't witnessed that.

At my event the people at the back are working just as hard as the people at the front. Even if they are just plodding or having an easy run round they are still doing better than the people still in bed so who cares what time they do. People run different paces for all sorts of reasons, its the doing it part that counts.

I'm really surprised to hear that as I've certainly not experienced it at our local PR. And that's saying something, as Perth is renowned for being elitist and grabbing any opportunity possible to make yourself look or feel more important than others. (Reason no 73 why I hate this place)
Mind you my local PR is tiny, today was only approx 30 runners. I'm sure the bigger ones have an entirely different feel.

Anyway, I've finished my 6 weeks of Saturday morning phsio/run clinic, been doing 2 minute 500M intervals (That's the limit for that pace, takes me 3 minutes to get my breath!) The initial injuries (LH Hamstring and RH Achilles) are sorted but now having RH knee issues... So back to PR next Saturday after almost 3 months away. I'm just heading out for a 3Km trial run to see if I can mange a sustained 6minute/Km which has been my target since I started. Perfect winter day here, sunny but cool (about 20degC)

[smn159]

21:50 PB this morning, which I was chuffed with considering I've been managing a knee problem since Christmas. Very close to my medium term goal of a 70% age grading too

[warch]

warch said:

I was desperate to do Ludlow in 26 minutes, now I do that every week, and have nearly managed to crack 25 minutes.

I did it! 24.45.

I think that's a really good time considering I'm nearly 41 years old and over 17 stone. Now to get below 24.23 to get on the top 500 board.

[T6 vanman]

warch said:

warch said:

I was desperate to do Ludlow in 26 minutes, now I do that every week, and have nearly managed to crack 25 minutes.

I did it! 24.45.

I think that's a really good time considering I'm nearly 41 years old and over 17 stone. Now to get below 24.23 to get on the top 500 board.

A well earn'd parkrun

[Halb]

warch said:

I did it! 24.45.

I think that's a really good time considering I'm nearly 41 years old and over 17 stone. Now to get below 24.23 to get on the top 500 board.

ace.

it is a busy parkrun?

[joshleb]

Did it today for the first time since September last year at Tooting, a 3 lap triangle.

23:03, 2 minutes off PB but according to Strava I did my fastest final lap of the course I've ever done, obviously went far too slow at the beginning!

Going to try and go every week over summer now until rugby starts, sub 20 is the aim, but we'll see...

[Cybertronian]

Congrats all!

Wish I could join you with a fresh, hard earned PB, but it wasn't to be this morning. Felt my recent training would get me under 18 minutes, or at least in with a chance of beating my 2 year old 18:14 PB. Finished in 18:22 feeling like I lacked that final gear to shift into. I did at least score a new age grade best, so I've been able to update the Pistonheads table!

[warch]

Halb said:

warch said:

I did it! 24.45.

I think that's a really good time considering I'm nearly 41 years old and over 17 stone. Now to get below 24.23 to get on the top 500 board.

ace.

it is a busy parkrun?

No, 73 runners today, up to 200 at peak times like the Saturday before Christmas. Most of the route is rather narrow so it helps to get up to the front at the start. It's popular though if that's not a contradiction, plenty of runners from elsewhere, even Australia. I much prefer trail and off road running, especially in the countryside and woodland.

[Halb]

warch said:

Halb said:

warch said:

I did it! 24.45.

I think that's a really good time considering I'm nearly 41 years old and over 17 stone. Now to get below 24.23 to get on the top 500 board.

ace.

it is a busy parkrun?

No, 73 runners today, up to 200 at peak times like the Saturday before Christmas. Most of the route is rather narrow so it helps to get up to the front at the start. It's popular though if that's not a contradiction, plenty of runners from elsewhere, even Australia. I much prefer trail and off road running, especially in the countryside and woodland.

ahh right. What's the top 500 board?

[T6 vanman]

Halb said:

ahh right. What's the top 500 board?

HTH

[smn159]

T6 vanman said:

Halb said:

ahh right. What's the top 500 board?

HTH

Getting on there is now my new target

Two fastest times set at my home park run as well, so no excuses!

Edited to add that I've just noticed that I've already made the age graded top 500 - excellent!!

Edited by smn159 on Sunday 17th June 17:24