There’s a familiar scene at almost every parkrun.
The briefing has finished.
Everyone walks towards the start line.
Then they stop.
For the next minute or two, dozens of runners stand completely still, waiting for the countdown.
It seems harmless.
But if you’ve just spent 10 or 15 minutes warming up, this is the last thing you want to do.
Your Warm-Up Isn’t Over Yet
Many runners think their warm-up ends when they finish jogging.
In reality, your warm-up doesn’t finish until you start running.
Every minute you spend standing still allows your body to cool down.
Your muscles gradually lose some of the warmth you’ve worked to create.
Your heart rate begins to fall.
And your body starts drifting back towards a resting state.
The aim of a warm-up is to prepare you for running hard. Standing motionless before the start works against that goal.
Keep Your Body Ready
This doesn’t mean you should keep jogging around the start area.
Instead, stay gently active.
You might:
- walk slowly on the spot
- shift your weight from foot to foot
- gently bounce on your toes
- swing your arms
- loosen your shoulders
- take a few relaxed steps whenever there’s space
These small movements help maintain the readiness you’ve already created.
Why It Matters
When your body stays warm, the transition into running feels much smoother.
Your legs respond more quickly.
Your breathing settles earlier.
Your stride feels more natural.
Instead of spending the 1st Km trying to wake your body up, you’re ready to run from the first few strides.
It’s a small habit that can make a surprisingly noticeable difference.
Don’t Get in Anyone’s Way
Of course, be considerate of everyone around you.
The start area can be busy.
There’s no need for exaggerated drills or large movements.
Simple, subtle movement is enough.
The goal isn’t to attract attention.
The goal is simply to avoid becoming completely stationary.
Think of It Like Idling a Car
Imagine driving on a cold morning.
You wouldn’t warm the engine, switch it off, then expect peak performance a few minutes later.
Your body works in much the same way.
Once you’ve prepared it to run, try to keep it ready until the start.
A Simple Habit for Saturday
Next weekend, pay attention to those final two minutes before parkrun begins.
Instead of planting your feet and waiting, keep moving gently.
Notice how different the opening few hundred metres feel.
Sometimes it’s the smallest habits that produce the biggest improvements.
Bringing It Back to Saturday
Your warm-up doesn’t end when your jog finishes.
It ends when your parkrun begins.
So keep your body moving, stay warm, and arrive at the first stride ready to run your best.
If you’d like a complete Saturday morning routine—including when to jog, when to perform your strides, how to time your warm-up, and what to do in those final minutes before the start—download Arrive Ready: The Complete parkrun Warm-Up Guide: