Not running regularly enough?

[Mulberry59]

I’ve signed up for the Portsmouth 10k Race For Life on 8th July to give myself a goal. I’d never run before I started the C25K in January this year. I’ve found following Juju’s programme a struggle because running every other day or every 2 days (which I did for the C25K keeps getting interrupted & it’s sometimes 6/7 days so I worry I can’t do the long distances. I think it’s more in my mind because yesterday I did a PB of just over 8k after not running much over the previous 10 days. Just looking for advice & reassurance please?

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

There's no magic formulas you know. If you are strong enough to do 8k you definitely can do 10k, you just need to manage your run to cope with the extra distance, ie don't head out too fast. Ideally you should be running regularly to improve your running form and endurance as once a week will likely only maintain your ability, but having a gap here or there shouldn't matter too much as long as your getting runs in regularily over the longer periods ie months.

[Hidden]

Don't worry about the gaps between runs. when i first began the longer runs, I needed extra days and did my best runs after even six day gaps (caused by lack of opportunity or lack of sleep usually).

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

You've done 8K so you can definitely do the 10K on race day. Do what you can, life gets in the way sometimes so don't worry about it. You've still got loads of time before July to get a few runs in but maybe mix it up a bit. A short fast run will do wonders for your speed so throw some of those in too and they don't take up too much time.

[orangeguy Graduate10]

I read somewhere you don’t loose any fitness until after a break of 2 weeks or more, so a break of about a week is probably nothing to worry about. I am hoping this is true because I am having a forced short break in my bid to get to 10k due to bruised ribs

[Whatsapp Graduate10]

You will not lose the ability to run the distance, I'm sure. However, you may not run it as fast as you want to. Sometimes a break can help your progress (i.e. tapering). But this is not a good long-term strategy.

So, if you are unable to find the time to run regularly just pare back your expectations on yourself in terms of times.

[Hidden]

I am sure that breaks in running impacts on the psychological aspects of running. After a run I feel I can conquer the world (well conquer a bit of running anyway) and I feel confident and ready to go out again for the next two or three days. Any longer than that and the effect wears off and I start to have doubts. Now I have recognised that, I am able to give myself the stern word and will make my self go.

Generally however, I think it is much more reinforcing to go out every other day or so. So I try and get a run in- even if it is a very short distance.

As others have said, physically sounds like you are ready and still time to tweak your technique

[Sqkr]

As the others have said, if you can do 8k already then 10k on race day will be entirely doable. I too don't get to run as much as I would like thanks to work, and definitely not as much as many other people on here—I'm running barely once a week at the moment—but it doesn't negatively affect my fitness. I'm probably not improving as much as I'd like, but certainly not going backwards Get out as much as you can, but definitely don't worry about the days that you can't. There's no real timetable unless you're Mo Farah...and then it's your actual job to run, so the other things don't get in the way. Never fear, if you're still getting PBs on the long distances you run you'll be more than ready for the 10k.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Life does sometimes get in the way but regular long gaps will make it feel much harder and you may feel a lack of progress. I certainly run better when life permits more regular runs. Having managed 8k, I am sure you will manage 10k, especially as you still have a few weeks, so just go for it and enjoy it! 🙂