Parkrun..

edisonolmy · 26-01-2015 02:47PM

JohnDozer wrote: »

I rang Clare Sports Partnership just there. It's confirmed as the 7th of March start date. Guess there must have been delays in setting it up. I admire your dedication, I ran Tralee Saturday but couldn't keep up with you!

You should have said hello. We were the serious-looking ones wearing the branded parkrun gear.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the town. Walked around the park later on that day and went to the museum too. Had a decent fry as well in Yummy café.

Run and Jump · 26-01-2015 03:24PM

edisonolmy wrote: »

We were saying afterwards, if you moved the start line back, you could remove that out and back section. It got a bit cluttered on the final lap at that point.

One of those sharp turns was at the bottom of a `hill' which stopped me from hammering down it each time.

It was a lovely course though. I measured it at 4.95 but I kind of cut the corner at the top of the park near the start of the final lap.

I was there too - I made sure to be there as Tralee is my hometown!

I also liked the course. I didn't mind the out-and-back turn too much, and even though most of the corners are tight compared to Tymon or Marlay in Dublin, the long straights and the wide path around the Ashe Hall made up for it. I suppose also that on a three-lap course there's a good bit of weaving and overtaking to do on the final lap. But I had a good run and sneaked in for a sub-20 mins time

MarkY91 · 26-01-2015 09:46PM

anywhere to leave a bag in the parkun at tymon park? will be cycling and dont fancy my no nwarmed up body cycling in shorts at 9am lol

menoscemo · 26-01-2015 09:58PM

MarkY91 wrote: »

anywhere to leave a bag in the parkun at tymon park? will be cycling and dont fancy my no nwarmed up body cycling in shorts at 9am lol

Yes, you can also leave your bag at the start/finish area.

MarkY91 · 26-01-2015 10:51PM

menoscemo wrote: »

Yes, you can also leave your bag at the start/finish area.

Cool. All set!

shergar22 · 28-01-2015 10:49AM

Run and Jump wrote: »

I was there too - I made sure to be there as Tralee is my hometown!

I also liked the course. I didn't mind the out-and-back turn too much, and even though most of the corners are tight compared to Tymon or Marlay in Dublin, the long straights and the wide path around the Ashe Hall made up for it. I suppose also that on a three-lap course there's a good bit of weaving and overtaking to do on the final lap. But I had a good run and sneaked in for a sub-20 mins time

Thoroughly enjoyed Tralee. Typically though, went way too fast on the first lap and struggled after that. Great atmosphere and was delighted to see so many kids of all ages taking part. The wide variety of shapes and speeds of people taking part was also hugely positive. I get worried at events like these when you see a bundle of v fast runners (semi pros?) taking off. You'd fear that it would be seen as something only for elite runners. Deffo not the case here, and all the better for it.
One minor gripe, was that there was a few small kids out in front at the start, and you were tripping, weaving around them. Organisers should be insisting that kids go towards the back. No issues with the kids taking part, the more the merrier, but the paths aren't that wide and it could cause problems.
Other than that, very well organised and a tip of the cap to all who volunteered.

pointer28 · 28-01-2015 10:53AM

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Johnstown-parkrun-Wexford/423177864515641

Johnstown Castle, Wexford starting 7th March

iluvfatfrogs · 28-01-2015 10:57AM

shergar22 wrote: »

Thoroughly enjoyed Tralee. Typically though, went way too fast on the first lap and struggled after that. Great atmosphere and was delighted to see so many kids of all ages taking part. The wide variety of shapes and speeds of people taking part was also hugely positive. I get worried at events like these when you see a bundle of v fast runners (semi pros?) taking off. You'd fear that it would be seen as something only for elite runners. Deffo not the case here, and all the better for it.
One minor gripe, was that there was a few small kids out in front at the start, and you were tripping, weaving around them. Organisers should be insisting that kids go towards the back. No issues with the kids taking part, the more the merrier, but the paths aren't that wide and it could cause problems.
Other than that, very well organised and a tip of the cap to all who volunteered.

Its not only kids that are guilty of this sin!!
I'm a 24-25 min runner and start around halfway back the pack! the amount of times i've overtaken slower 'Big Kids' in the first km, i can only imagine how annoying it is for the sub-20min runners

edisonolmy · 28-01-2015 11:38AM

pointer28 wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Johnstown-parkrun-Wexford/423177864515641

Johnstown Castle, Wexford starting 7th March

Two inaugurals on one day, with Ennis also due to start then. Hmmm. I'll have to flip a coin

edisonolmy · 28-01-2015 11:44AM

"Organisers should be insisting that kids go towards the back. No issues with the kids taking part, the more the merrier, but the paths aren't that wide and it could cause problems."

I have to disagree here. It's a timed run, not a race. That's what we are told at the start of every parkrun event.

Having said that, they often ask prams to start at the back and at times the guys/girls pushing them are ludicrously quick.

It'd be different if it was a proper road race. I've cursed under my breath at times when a bunch of slower runners muscled in front of me at the start line. But parkrun is different.

robinph · 28-01-2015 11:52AM

parkrun is a timed run as said and you are only racing against yourself.

But look at it as the people starting out of position at a parkrun will soon learn that they might be better off standing a bit back so that they don't get overrun with people, but they are learning this skill at parkrun rather than at another race that you have paid money to enter. Be nice to everyone and encourage them all to come back again next week, don't get too concerned with people out of position, it will always happen, but I'd rather they learnt about that kind of thing at a parkrun than in my next big 10km target race.

MarkY91 · 28-01-2015 12:15PM

Never realised that would annoy people. Only ever done one race before...Terenure 5 mile and started little over halfway down. Loads surpassed me but the roads are very wide and had no problems. I surpassed tonnes in the later miles and hadn't a problem either

I know park paths are narrow and I'll put that into consideration for my 1st park run on Saturday. I'll start near the back. I'm a 25-26 min 5k runner atm.

menoscemo · 28-01-2015 12:23PM

MarkY91 wrote: »

Never realised that would annoy people. Only ever done one race before...Terenure 5 mile and started little over halfway down. Loads surpassed me but the roads are very wide and had no problems. I surpassed tonnes in the later miles and hadn't a problem either

I know park paths are narrow and I'll put that into consideration for my 1st park run on Saturday. I'll start near the back. I'm a 25-26 min 5k runner atm.

No need to start at the back if you are going to run 25/26. Check previous results and base your starting position on where your expected finish time would place you, but it sounds like you should be in the middle of the pack.

robinph · 28-01-2015 12:36PM

A good tip for any race that you've no idea of the standard on is to have a quick look at the previous results for it and see how many people would finish ahead of your time in the previous event, then at the start line yourself up about that many people back from the start. It's not fool proof, especially with parkruns where the course and standards can vary wildly from week to week, but if you turn up to Bushy parkrun in London doing about 25 minutes then you should be starting a good way back in the field with 400+ people infront of you and then just go with the flow, but if you turn up to Bere Island then you can probably get away with sticking your toe on the line without causing anyone too much upset.

edisonolmy · 28-01-2015 12:40PM

At Bere Island we didn't start at the front but we wriggled free of the `crowd' and settled into a rhythm almost immediately. If you run sub 25 at Bere Island you have a chance of actually placing first some weeks.

The most congested start I've been involved in was Cardiff. Huge numbers and a very long, narrow start area. I lost about a minute before I even reached the start line itself.

MarkY91 · 28-01-2015 12:50PM

Yeah I'll just go to the middle

It's cool that you guys travel to the UK for some runs!

shergar22 · 28-01-2015 01:27PM

MarkY91 wrote: »

Never realised that would annoy people. Only ever done one race before...Terenure 5 mile and started little over halfway down. Loads surpassed me but the roads are very wide and had no problems. I surpassed tonnes in the later miles and hadn't a problem either

I know park paths are narrow and I'll put that into consideration for my 1st park run on Saturday. I'll start near the back. I'm a 25-26 min 5k runner atm.

I'd hate for anyone to think I was having a moan about the organisation of the event or the concept itself. T'was more for the safety of the kids than anyone given the jockeying that can happen at the start of a run. I'd be hugely positive towards Parkrun and what it's trying to achieve.

Completely agree that it's not a race, but there will be those looking to record fast times (whether for pride or training for an upcoming race) and will be looking to take off fast.

IMHO Parkruns will be successful if there's a broad mix of all shapes, sizes and speeds, from elite (faster than me) down the line. If there's too much concentration from one grouping (fast or slow), I think general interest would dwindle. We need the fast ones to try and catch up to.

:D

edisonolmy · 28-01-2015 01:49PM

I live in the UK technically, although would only ever run in England, Wales or Scotland if I was there anyway.

I would go to the events across the border specifically, although like to make a weekend of ones further away - Bere Island, Kilkenny, Tralee etc. Events like Tymon, Waterstown, Oldbridge and Cootehill I drove down and back in the same day.

rainbow kirby · 28-01-2015 03:52PM

MarkY91 wrote: »

It's cool that you guys travel to the UK for some runs!

Some of us live there...

I seem to be way more likely to go to a Parkrun when I'm back in Dublin though, running to Tymon Park, doing the Parkrun and running back to my mum's house is a nice 12km-ish run with quality in the middle. The fact that the start is 9:30am in Ireland rather than 9am over here helps too, I'm not a morning person :pac:

My local parkrun is Finsbury Park, a 2 lap course with a big hill in the middle and that starts on a downhill. Way too easy to start too quickly.

robinph · 28-01-2015 04:04PM

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Some of us live there...

I'm still waiting to bag my first Irish parkrun, but they didn't exist back in my day. There is now one less than a mile from where I used to live which would have been very handy. Will be planning on doing one next time I'm over for the DCM.

edisonolmy · 29-01-2015 11:19AM

I'm planning to do Finsbury Park when I'm in London in May. My brother just lives up the road, although he is closer to Oak Hill and Grovelands. I checked out the Finsbury Park course last time I was over and you are right, the temptation would be to start quickly.

Anyone know has it been snowing in Sligo?

dna_leri · 29-01-2015 11:23AM

edisonolmy wrote: »

Anyone know has it been snowing in Sligo?

yes but plenty of rain forecast

rainbow kirby · 29-01-2015 11:24AM

Highbury Fields and Hampstead Heath are close enough too - Highbury Fields is relatively flat but the course is 5 laps, Hampstead Heath is 2 laps of brutal hills.

edisonolmy · 29-01-2015 11:53AM

the 5 laps puts me off Highbury Fields. You're probably going to get lapped unless you're sub 20. I do, however, love a flat course.

robinph · 29-01-2015 12:53PM

Trying to figure out what one to run in the big smoke in a few weeks when I'm across there for the National XC at Parliament Hill. Not sure I want to run up and down the same hill in a parkrun in the morning and then do it again in a pair of spikes whilst getting thrashed by 1600+ other cross country runners in the afternoon.

Might try for a Bushy parkrun pilgrimage if I can figure out a sensible way of getting there and back.

rainbow kirby · 29-01-2015 12:57PM

robinph wrote: »

Trying to figure out what one to run in the big smoke in a few weeks when I'm across there for the National XC at Parliament Hill. Not sure I want to run up and down the same hill in a parkrun in the morning and then do it again in a pair of spikes whilst getting thrashed by 1600+ other cross country runners in the afternoon.

Might try for a Bushy parkrun pilgrimage if I can figure out a sensible way of getting there and back.

Bushy parkrun and Parliament Hill are around an hour's drive apart - a bit of a pain in the arse! Probably the best way to do it would be a taxi from Bushy Park/Hampton Court area to Richmond, then get the Overground to Gospel Oak.

MarkY91 · 29-01-2015 01:18PM

Did a 5k on my own yesterday and did it in 26.09. I'm not as fast as I thought. I usually do 3 miles so need to adjust to the extra .10

Hopefully the runners get the adrenaline going wen I do the park run on saturday

robinph · 29-01-2015 01:20PM

Planning on getting the train across and staying for the weekend, that way I can wash the mud off in the hotel before the train ride back and herself then gets a day wandering round shops, so just need to find a parkrun near to an underground really.

yankinlk · 29-01-2015 02:04PM

edisonolmy wrote: »

the 5 laps puts me off Highbury Fields. You're probably going to get lapped unless you're sub 20. I do, however, love a flat course.

I get lapped by the leaders every week in Killaloe. Doesnt bother me in the slightest.

Amigaman · 29-01-2015 02:15PM

Hi Marky91 - 26.09 is a great place to start , I guarantee you'll be faster on Sat. there is just something about running a parkrun when you know you are competing with yourself but you have all the other motivations all around you to push you , I find this every week, on Sat. I'll be doing my 70th and I still get the same buzz , it will keep you comming back for more... Sligo registrations are really good 373 and still going strong , these together with the usual parkrun tourists ( Des ,Simon, Cathy I'm looking at you :-) ) total for the day may creep close to marly's opening day record...

Parkrun..

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