Start where you are …..
As I stood on the start line at parkrun on Saturday I was thinking; isn’t this great all these people have come down to Frenchfield to run, walk, give back by volunteering, meet people, maybe have fun?
Then I started to think about the people who weren’t here but could be. I am a big fan of parkrun and encourage people to come along, but often they worry that they are too slow, can’t run 5km or have some other reason that gets in the way of them coming along. I reassure them that there is no such thing as too slow.
The tail walker takes care of that, the clue is in the job title – their job is to be last and to walk, and make sure everyone gets over the finish line before them. It’s a really important role. So being ‘slow’ is relative, and really doesn’t matter.
Random fact, most runners don’t run slowly enough to build up endurance strength. Running slowly is fine, you’re moving and maybe you can’t run 5km yet! That’s the important thing “yet”, if you come down regularly you might be surprised how quickly you can build up to it, but even if you don’t, does it really matter? No not at parkrun/walk.
If you’ve ever watched children running, often they run really fast, and then they walk a while, and then tear off again. I see this a lot on a Saturday morning, and mostly they are having fun. Mark Evans who is in the JM10 category, ran a PB on Saturday of 22.22, and that’s how he started, and he loves his running, basically he’s having fun.
If running or walking is not your thing, then volunteering is enjoyable and rewarding. A lady who runs regularly, volunteered recently because she was in a race the next day. Then when she came in from her marshalling post and said ‘that was more fun than I ever imagined, I’ll do this more often’.
There are also people who combine running/walking and volunteering. Alex and Martin Conway called in at Penrith on their way from Basingstoke to Scotland in order to support 5k My Way, a community-based initiative to encourage those living with and beyond cancer, families, friends, and those working in cancer services to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at a local 5k Your Way parkrun event on the last Saturday of every month.
Alex had contacted the local support group, they completed the course, and then clearly enjoyed meeting up with fellow volunteers and being there to give support. https://5kyourway.org/
Parkrun can be the most selfish and selfless act you do each week. Whether you are first or last, volunteering or just come down for a chat, do it for you; and in doing it you will bring something with you. It could be competition for the faster runners, it could be company for another participant, it could be a cheer for those who are finding it hard, it could be a smile or a hello, and it will make a positive difference to you and others.
So as professional tennis player Arthur Ashe said: “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
For all the information and Saturday’s results go to https://www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith/
Remember, every Saturday at Frenchfield 9am – see you there!
