Great south run training - help please!!!!

[Allydee]

Hi, wondered if I could please pick your brains please? I reached my 10k goal about a month ago, then consolidated it at the 10k race for life. Thought I had probably better try and maintain that, but did it Sunday and it just really wipes me out for the next day. A lot of the guidance that I've read (including published plans for my next goal, the great south run) suggests that 3 runs a week, two gentle and one longer should be enough. At the moment, I do a long run on a Sunday (but don't think I can keep pushing to 10k especially when it takes me an hour and twenty minutes); rest on a Monday; Pilates on a Tuesday; rest Wednesday; between 5 and 7k on a Thursday; swim 400m in 20 mins on a Friday and rest on a Saturday. I love swimming and Pilates but in order to fit more running in I'd have to sacrifice one of them and my rest days......? I want to push myself but not too hard as by Christmas last year I was physically broken trying to do more and ended up having two weeks rest before starting gently again!!! Any advice welcomed please.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

Can you jiggle it around so you can get 3 runs, one Pilates and a swim in? It would give you 2 complete rest days and the non-running training days would be using non-running muscles. It would allow you to get some more consistency in with your running. The third run could be a speed / interval run, in other words relatively short. I don't know how flexible the Pilates and swimming sessions are, but I don't see anything wrong with run, Pilates, run, rest, swim, run, rest (for instance!).

[Frank-ntj Graduate10]

The great south run do offer training plans on their website, I think they are worth a look at. You can do alternative training ie; Pilates and swimming on your rest days as your not pounding the streets with your feet. But I do feel you need to increase your long runs by 10% each week to get you ready for the 10 miles of the GSR. Make sure you rest completely the day after your long run, good luck! There is a group of us from c25k that meet up before and after the GSR FR a chat hope to see you you there. 😎 Happy a injury free running.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Hi, I did the GSR last year and it is a fantastic event - but as Frank says, you have also got to safely build up that mileage in readiness. Hopefully you will find that your 10k starts to feel easier as your body adapts to the longer distance and you will feel less tired afterwards. I also think that if you can fit three runs in a week then you will cope better as you start to increase that long run. Make sure you are always staying properly hydrated and eating well (obvious, I know but worth saying). It sound as though you may have to be more flexible with your fitness routine until after the GSR. It will be worth it though! Good luck!😀

[Allydee]

Thanks everyone - I really appreciate your advice!!!!! Will take another look at the training program and mix things up a bit