The Free, Active, Local Event I Attend Every Week

I’ll never want to run alone again

This week’s piece is a little random. It’s about running.

Not a marathon. Not even half a marathon. Just 5km.

Last Saturday I completed my third 5km parkrun in Kirra, Coolangatta.

I don’t run. I used to run in P.E. in school, practising for the yearly cross country, but that was the most consistent I got. I haven’t really run ever since, apart from some sporadic jogs.

I like the concept though. I like that running is a matter of mind over muscle. I like that I could run 5km not because I’m physically fit or prepared for it, but because I want to. Our mind is that powerful.

After some research, I found that studies reveal athletes with high self-confidence and dedication tend to perform better. They also show that fatigue in endurance sports (like running) is primarily psychological. Not physical. The decision to stop or slow down during a run is controlled by the brain. Wild, right?

Ok, now what is Kirra parkrun?

It’s a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate — it’s up to you!

I’m new to Kirra — just as I’m new to running — so an active, free, weekly community event just outside my doorstep was an easy yes.

The thing is, if I’m running alone I’ll likely stop after 2k, convincing myself that walking is just as good. In a group, there is 1 — accountability and 2 — competition. There’s nothing quite like having a bunch of people running ahead of you to keep you going.

The pre-run:

• I leave home around 6:30 a.m., my coffee cup in hand
• I walk about 15–20 minutes to the meeting point while listening to an upbeat playlist
• I warm up, as do most of the runners; the atmosphere is just great
• I listen to a couple of songs from my ‘feel good’ playlist — usually Unstoppable by SIA and Run This Town with Jay Z, Rihanna and Kanye.

The volunteers then ask if there are any visitors or first-timers, if there were any milestones that week, and explain the track.

Run 2 kilometres to the left, turn back when you see the parkrun flag, run the 2km back, then run 500 metres in the opposite direction, again until the flag, turn around, and come through the tunnel one by one.

We’re instructed to position ourselves before the starting line, the “speedy” ones at the front. I settle somewhere in the middle within the pack of 300 runners.

And then, at 7 a.m. sharp, the volunteers scream GO.

Ten minutes in my joints already hurt.

The rest of the run becomes about convincing myself that I can finish. That I still feel good, that I’m strong, that I’m not even close to my limit. It’s all in my head. You got this.

It’s interesting because the joint pain eventually disappears. I’m left with only fatigue. Perceived fatigue, that is. We trick ourselves into believing that we’ve achieved our limit.

And then, after a final sprint, it’s over. There is no better feeling. I look around — it’s all smiles. Tired, sweaty, smiles.

We get changed and rush into the sea.

About 1 hour after completing the run we get an email with our time and stats.

Kirra parkrun results for event #555. Your time was 00:30:56.

Congratulations on completing your 3rd parkrun and your 3rd at Kirra parkrun today. You finished in 144th place and were the 47th Female out of a field of 239 parkrunners and you came 3rd in your age category SW20–24. Your PB at Kirra parkrun remains 00:30:26. Your best time this year remains 00:30:26.

I’ve come to look forward to my weekly parkrun. Excitement builds up every week in anticipation of it. I’m dead serious.

This Friday night I read that this week’s event got cancelled because of a surf carnival happening at the same time. Much to my own surprise, I was really sad to find out. I was particularly excited because I was determined to finish the run in under 30 minutes this time. I had a strategy.

Good thing the next run is only one week away.

One of the many amazing things about parkrun is that people will support you and cheer you on. I’ll be finishing the first 4km, passing by the starting/finishing point with 1km to go, and those who’ve finished already will shout things like “Keep going”, “You’re doing great”, “You’re almost there”. And it really, really helps. It’s like a shot of caffeine.

I can’t help but imagine how it must feel to be a part of something bigger. If they’re cheering me up, an average runner amidst many others, running a modest 5k, how good must it feel to have people cheer you on during a marathon? Or a half marathon? Or even those same 5 km, but done in half the time?

It must feel pretty damn great if you ask me.

Another incredible thing about the weekly event is that anyone will join. You’ll see runners of all ages and many people running the full distance with dogs on a leash.

One of the first runners to finish is often a dad who runs while pushing his kids in a pram. Yes, plural. The pram has 2 seats. Another one of my favourites is an elderly couple: he is in an electric wheelchair and she runs beside him, one hand holding the chair.

Truly inspiring.

It’s also wonderful to be part of something. Every Saturday, I’ll be there. I’ll skip Friday night drinks because of it. And I’ll keep getting better.

Hi, my name is Rosa, I’ve been travelling solo for over 1 year now. I share stories, experiences, or musings every week.

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