My FIRST Parkrun | Going for sub 25 min 5k at Poolsbrook

[@MihaiGoRunning]

Loved hearing about your journey from the 'car part' to the actual Parkrun, Mark. Keep chasing those PBs and enjoying every step of the way! Looking forward to more updates from your future runs, dear friend. Cheers!

[@markg99]

Cheers buddy! I'm aiming to squeeze in some more parkruns where I can fit them into my training. Really enjoyed my first one, and there are a few others within a short drive of home 👍🙂

[@RunSensible]

Fantastic, Mark. Under 25min and a PB to boot, that's great stuff. I thought I was bad only having done 14 Parkruns - this really your first. 🤣

[@markg99]

Cheers! It was almost a PB I think. I want to go for sub 23 soon. That will deffo be a new record. I only have another 13 to go to match your total. That sounds like a fun challenge lol.

[@IRunDaily]

Nice one, Mark. They are really good fun and I should definitely do more of them! Looks like a nice parkrun loop too 😊

[@markg99]

Cheers, Ian. I've been toying with the idea of doing a Parkrun sandwich one day. The only issue is that it's a 14km run each way to get to it lol. Maybe one day. If I get a PR that day it will be a miracle!

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Congrats Mark, 18 seconds off your PB is fantastic. Running through congestion in road races is always a challenge, well done and strong finish passing other runners.

[@markg99]

Thanks mate! I'll be trying to start nearer the front next time, so I'm not having to weave about on the grass from the start, and getting stuck behind so many unwitting pacers :)

[@atvacejoe]

Well done mark. Poolsbrook is a great parkrun. There's also brierely near us which is a great park run a bit more elevation than poolsbrook and it can be muddy depending on the time of year but it's a great route!

[@markg99]

Thanks mate. I'd noticed the Brierley one on the map but didn't know anything about it. I'll have to have a go at that one, cheers 👍🏻

[@TheDeterminedRunner]

You must have been soooo early to get an empty car park! Cracking run Mark, great to see you enjoying the Parkrun, now you just need to drive 363 miles north & you can do the Aviemore Parkrun 😉

[@markg99]

I was verrrry early lol. I always do that, going to new places. Make sure I get there early and get a feel for the place, make sure I don't have to squeeze in through the crowds. Maybe one day Aviemore will be my Nearest Event Not Done Yet :) Give me a decade or so lol.

[@lornamc5928]

That was great Mark. It’s my nearest one too. Will need to give it a go!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Lorna. Hope you're doing well :)

[@laserpace]

Nice run! All that Ultra work paying off (hills/elevation) are speed training in disguise after all

[@markg99]

Thanks! You must be right about the hills and speed training. Going up the little incline was pretty easy, when most people were slowing down. Felt good 🙂👍🏻

[@essextrails]

Well done Mark. Nicely described the course and the way you were feeling on the way round. You would have got a PB there if all those other runners hadn't got in the bloody way! Take care mate.

[@markg99]

Cheers, Pete. I might ask if I can do it without all those other people getting in the way next time! I'll explain that I'm a famous KZbinr; I'm sure they'll understand :)

[@BenNotley]

A superb debut at parkrace Mark! So close to that PB time mate! Looked like a nice loop!l around the lake there. I have only done 2 parkruns myself and they have even been the Guildford one. Maybe something to look into over the next few months. 😎🤘

[@markg99]

Thanks mate. I don't mind a shorter, faster run at the moment. Would be nice if the weather cooled off a bit. There are a few other Parkruns within sensible distance, so I'll have to try some of those later :)

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Being parked close to the cafe is also top of my priorities 👌

[@markg99]

lol, deffo worth changing car parks for :)

[@movemorenowjames]

Well done Mark. Good effort … never done one myself so you’ve planted a seed !

[@markg99]

Cheers! I'm sure you'd ace your local Parkrun. There are hardly any runners down your way...lol! It was a great, free, "race". Lots of good people and a chance to get some speed into the legs around other people. Would recommend :)

[@ChloeHamard]

Congrats Mark, well under 25 minutes and looks like you had a great first parkrun experience! My paper barcode was always in such a state that I downloaded it on my watch and at least I don't risk forgetting it now!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Chloe! I need to get back there and go for a sub 23 I think. It's a nice easy way to get an "official" 5k time, and it's free. What's not to like :)

[@bev9708]

Bravo Mark, almost a PB!! My 5k PB is 23:41 back in 2022... the last time I ran 5k!!😂 Though I think I did under that for the first 5k of a marathon back in January... does that count?? No parkruns in France... here we have to have medical certificates to compete in races and the organisers and even volunteers can be held legally responsible if someone runs without one... clearly too complicated for parkruns!🤷‍♀ Yep, such typical French bureaucracy !!!!!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Bev :) I think the first 5k of a marathon counts for me....Strava would pick it up so that's gospel lol. Pity about the extra rules around organised runs over there, but I'm sure you'll more than make up for it with all of those marathons and ultras you run!

[@racheld1844]

Brilliant to see you taking I. A parkrun Mark! I swear I sore a video of the same route not that long ago. Was it the Brooms? It looked familiar anyway 😁 Hope it’s something you enjoyed and fancy giving it another go.

[@markg99]

Thanks, Rach! I'm sure the Brooms have covered this one. I did mine a bit more slowly, so people got chance to see the route at a more leisurely pace lol.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Excellent. Well done on breaking your parkrun duck. Regarding the confusion at the start, I think it would be a good idea for running KZbinrs to feature how to go about parkrunning in their Vlogs 🙂 Anyway, which other ones are you looking at? Rother Valley is probably the fastest within your striking distance.

[@markg99]

I think I was most confused about where to park 😄 Great idea for youtubers to show us how to go on. Does rely on the viewers having some ability to recall knowledge though 😆 I haven't decided on the next one but I spoke to someone at work who said Rother Valley was a flat, single lap, so that sounds good. I think South of me is Brierley Forest or something like that. Might try that one too.

[@tworunningbrooms]

@markg99 Done videos on both of those 😉

[@beaulunaedvantures]

Well done mate - I’ve been running probably about 8-9 years now and never done a park run, would love to give it a go. Wish they did some on a Saturday and some on a Sunday as my little one has ballet class at 9 Saturday mornings so I look after the older one. Looks like you had a good run and it gave a good feel for what they are like 👍

[@markg99]

Cheers mate. I bet you've been too busy gallivanting all over Europe to be doing Parkruns anyway. Hope you're having a great summer dude! :)

[@beaulunaedvantures]

@@markg99 Cheers Mark, yes in the Algarve at present with a sunburnt head thanks to getting a Mohawk haircut at a campsite 🤣