So here's the thing, the summer holidays have been a nightmare for me as far as running goes. I have very limited childcare so opportunities for a run have been limited, & I've lost my mojo more often than I've had it these last couple of weeks. So, I recently reached out to a friend of a friend who is also now running & somehow got caught up in our mutual morale-boosting & entered our local 10k race. Our 'local' happens to be The Beachy Head Marathon & 10k. Hills. Big hills. And it's at the end of October. This October. What have I done???
I'm only used to running 5k at present & that's still an effort. And I have completely lost my running routine since the holidays started. Am I being as ridiculously optimistic as I think I am even attempting to do a hilly 10k ready in just over 11 weeks? I'm initially thinking if I increase my distance by half a km a week then I will be at 10 the week before the race, assuming all goes well. Is that achievable? Or have I actually finally completely lost my mind?!
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SunnyMummy
Graduate10
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The 10% rule states that if you increase one run per week, then that increase should not be more than 10% of your weekly total. So if you are doing 3x 5ks at the moment, in your first week you can add up to 1.5k to that long run. if you can handle the increase then it is easily doable by October.
Your .5k per week increase would be gentler and just as effective.
Oo ok, I need to look into all these serious proper running things, don't I? So would I just increase the one run each week but keep the other two at 5k throughout? Running 6.5k sounds terrifying at present but then I remember thinking that about running for 5 continuous minutes!
Absolutely. Do some intervals on one 5k, maybe, but only increase the distance of one long run per week. You will learn to love it. 10 k is the perfect distance in my book, long enough to cover some ground, not so long as to wipe you out for the rest of the day, once you get used to it, and does not normally require you to carry water or fuel. I do one every week and I love it.
Fab, thank you Ian-not-Ian. You've spurred me on already ☺
You can do the distance by october for sure but I would advise getting some hill training in! Short uphill stretches with breaks following a comfortable warm up run. There's nothing like a deadline is there Good luck
Thanks Ruth, yes the drastic gradients are more of a concern than the distance! Strangely I have discovered that I prefer off-road/woodland running so I'm naturally starting to include hillier routes. I will plan it a bit better though...
I also prefer off road woodland running The right shoes help with hills a lot especially downhills so if you haven't already maybe check out some traily shoes with 'teeth' - angled grips that bite into the ground. My adidas galaxy trail shoes have been great so far and weren't expensive.
Remember as well that hills are a completely different thing to "terrain". I learnt that in my fell run in june. I also learned that it's not necessarily about running up every hill. It's okay to walk the steep bits
And breathe...........relax.......don't be too hard on yourself, another thing I would suggest, is don't get too obsessed with hitting the distance, on one or two of those 'long' runs aim for a time, and by that I don't mean speed, I mean out for your run, say an hour.....I do that sometimes, just say to myself 'I want to be out for at least an hour an a half.....'
Run slow and steady, that helps build stamina, the rest will come...
And don't forget, you don't have to run it all, you want to enjoy it!
I am doing that! With a dog though, so I think we get a separate start. And at least one other person from in here is doing it as well. We will be fine 😀
Oops. The thing is, if you can run 5k then you are halfway there anyway.
It doesn't matter if you have lost your routine because you have just found it back, as of today.
Having a goal is a good way to achieve your dreams.
I would say, start with slow increases and a few short hill running, just to strengthen your muscles. Also check those running programs on Google, they can be helpful
Thank you! I'm feeling much more confident about it now - having a goal again has definitely brought the purpose back, even if it was panic-induced... 👀
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Good luck 
Oh no, bad back and a looming 10k race - help!
Only gone and done 10K
What have I done?!?!
OMG!! 😱 What On Earth Have I Just Gone and Done????
My first official 10k entered today and a PB parkrun with my son . 
