I've had a lunatic idea...

[AnneDroid]

So, I've been hanging about in this community as a bit of a fraud. I've not even been thinking about working towards a 10k distance, far less doing it! I've just been consolidating being able to run 5k without dying. This has worked as I'm in fact not at all dead.

Until yesterday, my plan was to make the rest of 2016 about consolidating...

Then, I started to think about running in Majorca when we're on our holidays there next month and how nice that will be.

Then, I wondered if there were any 5k Parkrun or other events I could join in with.

Then, I googled.

I couldn't find a single 5k but did find out that there's a 10k in Palma while we're there. It's on the 16th of October, just over six weeks away.

So... guess what I'm wondering now!

Should I go for it? I think it might be good to have something to aim for even if it's a bit over-ambitious.

Realistically, I'd almost certainly have to walk bits of it, which I'm totally fine about. My first 5k was at Balmoral in April, the day after I did my last C25k session and I was thrilled just to be in it even though I walked a few wee bits (the hills!). I don't even mind if I come in dead last, to be honest. Well not DEAD last. Just last.

But hints and tips would be very welcome. Stories of miracles where 50 year old novices suddenly were able to increase their distance from 5k to 10k in a matter of a few days. That kind of thing...

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

Please don't call yourself a fraud, of course your not. Everyone is welcome on here. Can I sense some excitement coming through your post. It's sounds like it could be really good fun. Like you say your not opposed to walking a bit and you have some time to do some training to see how it will be. I always say if you can run 7-7.5km or run/walk then You can do a 10km as the excitement of the day will see you through. Good luck which ever you decide.

[davelinks Graduate10]

You may get somewhere up near 10k for your holiday, as your doing 5ks 3 times a week now. Don't go mad with increasing your distance to suddenly or you could end up on the injury couch(don't want that do we)but do it the rule of thumb way(funny that saying I know!)and increase your total weekly distance by 10% each week starting now, I think you could get to 10k if well into 5ks in about 8 weeks. A bit of Cross-Training such as swimming and incorporating some hills in your running also helps greatly with stamina and toning the bod😁

Being Majorca I don't think the weather too hot in October is it? Still be very nice though, have a good one and good luck!😊

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

Something to aim for, yes, and totally possible within the 10% rule. However, before I parted with my entrance fee I would want to check the course (Majorca is very hilly in parts), the likely temperature (it can get mighty hot) and also the finishing times of previous years unless it is a one off. Apart from that, what a beautiful place to do a 10k run. Good luck.

[runningnearbeirut Graduate10 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Good list of things to check there.

Also find out what time it starts. Early morning would be good!

But I think you'd be able to train and get yourself ready for it, so if you can get answers to the above, then go for it!

[jojo57 Graduate10]

Got nothing sensible to add, just wanted to say I loved your Pythonesque post! Made me properly laugh, thanks!

[Noaky12 Graduate10]

As the others have said. Go for it. The only thing that would concern me is the heat, but if you can handle that then I say yes!

As some of others have said, just dont try to increase the distance too much at once, little increments is the way to go.

Can you imagine the look on friends faces. "How was your holiday?" "Great! I ran a 10k wanna see the bling?"

😎👍🎖

[marco83]

Fantastic idea, make sure there are no rule like in italy (where only if you are part of a running club and have a medical certificate that you can run they'll allow you in a race...)

If there isn't go for it. The worst that can happen is that you have to walk around a beautiful place with no traffic around you for a while, the best: you ran your first 10 K on Holiday!

go for it, but take it easy, enjoy the ride and and let us know

[AnneDroid Graduate10]

UPDATE.

Thank you so much everyone for your encouragement and for the good tips too.

I wrote that post during the day on Tuesday. By the evening, I'd read some of your replies, and told Him Indoors. He didn't laugh. He said he would run it with me. Being an uber-fit cyclist this won't take any effort on his part of course.

So I was feeling pretty excited!

But I hadn't had time to look at any 5k to 10k plans, so I went out for a run intending just to do 5k. I managed the first three and a half kilometres no bother but then I was inexplicably just completely rubbish for the rest and had to walk various bits.

This sent me into a downer which lasted most of the day Wednesday as well. "Ha! I knew you weren't really a runner, Anne. What were you thinking? 5k is clearly your limit and that's only on a good day. Forget about the 10k notion." Etc..

On my drive home from work I had a bit of a revelation though. I thought, "When have I had these emotions before? They seem so familiar. Doh! When I was starting the C25k program of course!" I gave myself the night off and the most exercise I did was knitting and lifting my glass. But I felt a wee bit less negative.

This morning? Well, I was still feeling full of self-doubt. No that's not true. Only half-full! I was actually thinking, "Here you go again. But, Anne, you've survived nine weeks of an emotional roller in the C25k and seen the most amazing transformation in yourself. You can board the rollercoaster again and it will be easier because you know what to expect and you've got quite good at talking to yourself like this".

So off I went and did Week One Run One of the Bridge to 10k in lovely sunshine and IT WAS FINE. Absolutely fine.

I'm happy again!

For now.