Blame Sadie-runs , it's entirely her fault I'm here
I graduated from C25K back in November, then winter hit, so this spring I've been doing consolidating, and really really enjoying my running. I run along the Macclesfield canal, usually from High Lane towards Marple. OK, the towpath, not the canal. That would just be silly!
I did my first parkrun on Saturday which was both fun and the hardest thing I've ever done, in equal measure. I was pretty happy with my 5k in 34:23, although I was still way way down the rankings. It's not about speed of course, but that got me thinking, maybe I need to throw a longer run into the mix. So this morning, I set off to try 6k, an out and back route along the towpath. I ended up running to the end of the canal, which is in Marple, for a total of 6.55k, it took me 48:14 apparently with a small photo break at the canal junction, but I loved it, and felt like I could have gone further.
That made me laugh Actually I think there's a serious chance of me ending up in the canal trying to avoid a cyclist or a dog walker. The dogs never seem to be on leads, which is fine, I have no issue with that, other than sometimes when one heads for me at full tilt I'm not quite sure whether to stand my ground or jump. And if I jump, I may end up wet
34 mins - yes, I was pretty happy with that. Someone did it in 17 minutes though. In other words, he was finishing just as I was finishing my first lap. Puts it into perspective a bit
I was watching a youtube vid with 5k tips given by a US runner who did it in 12:56. Mo did a 10k the other day in 28mins. I bet neither of em could wire a plug though
Just gradually increase your long run every week. Once I decided I was going to get to 10k it took about 5 weeks. Did it in the time it took waiting to join the start of juju's plan. I generally threw in a 5k (run with the stamina podcast) a leisurely 5ishk OR interval training and a long run (easy pace) at the weekends.
You're faster than me though. Just looked back at Strava and my first 7k was 57 minutes on 14th April and I ran my first 10k two weeks later (Though I did only set out to run 9k but came across some cows - long story).
Thanks Deb, your advice is much appreciated. I think how I’m probably going to end up is by doing 5k along the canal path without turning round, then I don’t really have a choice lol
Yes, it feels like that for me too. It doesn’t make mathematical sense at all, but it does seem to work. Much easier to keep going when home is in sight thanks for your help and support btw, seeing you going from strength to strength is a real encouragement for me!
I am so happy you are here! You could follow ju-ju’s tried and tested programme. PM your email address and I’ll send you my wall chart of joy when I am back at work tomorrow. 😀 Are we really going to do this?! 😂
Well I have to support my long-time running buddy, right? 😂 Yes dear Sadie we ARE going to do this!! I shall send you my email address for the aforementioned wall chart
Thank you so much! It will be amazing if we manage this together. Remember how we cheered each other in during C25K? Re-living the dream! I expect I will get injured though, so my money is on you finishing first. 😁👏👌
Nor me!! For me though it’s the logical next step. I never though, after week 1 that be able to manage 90 seconds in week 2, so on that basis I have no excuse not to give it a shot.
Get you Mr!!!! You’re doing brilliantly...I want a bit of what you’ve had!!! I was out this morning pounding the path in the park to the speed podcast...I think you should just carry on what you’re doing...testing the water for longer distances because it’s certainly working 😉
I think the biggest thing I have learned over the past few weeks is that to run longer you need to start slower. That was certainly the key for me today. It seems to be that when I try to be really fast I have a more challenging run. Also if you run for enjoyment, and don’t put too much pressure on, that seems to help a lot.
Take care, and lovely to hear from you. FWIW you graduated well before me, and I’ve always had the greatest of respect for you as a runner, and because you always sound really positive in your posts x
Well done on your PARKRUN and your decision on JuJu’s plan.
You are becoming a flyer.
Love the comment above about pacing and not putting pressure on yourself.
Getting into your zone without doing your head in with stuff/maybe even trivia and enjoying your surroundings is a seventh heaven says this novice who just experienced that yesterday for the first time.
Way to go Neil.
Look forward to following you and the team’s progress.💫🏃♂️💫
Thanks Tbae , much appreciated, and glad you're enjoying your surroundings too. I'm actually intending to keep doing the parkruns. It's pushing my limits in terms of speed, but I think in the longer term the combination of that and some gentle 10k'ing will be good. Says he, the non-expert lol
Hi Neil, try Ju-Ju 10 is the magic number 10k plan. Worked for me. Took me a while to decide to give it a go but it sounds like you have made your mind up already 😉
Thanks Juju, to be honest I never thought I'd get past week 1 of Couch to 5K Sadie persuaded me to have a crack at 10k, so I guess that's probably the plan for now. I know you have a running plan for that (of course!) - do you have any details? Thanks
That’s awesome well done 👍 I think your time is brilliant. We are not all designed to run like whippets but I reckon as long as you enjoy your running that’s all that matters. Sign up for a 10k with bling as your reward 🏅
Thanks Carolyn! 10k may be a little way off yet, but we have to start somewhere right? I’ve certainly enjoyed my running this weekend, it’s more fun when I’m not trying to go too fast that’s for sure, but at least I’m on the way to 10k, right?
Hi Neil I’m a bit behind the times on checking in here, but well done you, glad to see you’re still sticking in there. ju-ju- ‘s plan is a great way of building those legs up to the distance. You’ve nailed the big thing which is starting slower to complete longer. I have now found I’m a good middling distance runner - I seem to find my niche between 8 and 12km. Park Run I too had the same experience but not only was I lapped, but lapped by a bloke running with his baby in a pram! The humiliation....
Lovely to see you back and on form.
Happy running
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Thanks Jan! Yes, I think I'm discovering that the way to improve distance is to decrease speed, which then allows you to improve stamina, which in turn allows you to run just that little bit faster overall. Sounds complicated, but that seems to be how it works for me. I'm so glad you've found your happy running place, nestled snugly between 8 and 12k.
I'm not yet sure how the parkruns will fit into the 10k training, as they are on a Saturday and I don't really want to end up running a 5k+ run on two consecutive days. As I often have Fridays off, maybe they'd move the Saturday parkruns to a Friday just for me?
Thank you so much for all your encouragement over the months, it really has helped me loads. I'm feeling really good about running at the moment. Some of that is because my mental health is much better than it was a few months ago, and of course the running seems to help my mental health, so it's a win-win situation really
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Brilliant to hear how well you’re doing Neil, consecutive day’s running is a hard thing to do - I am doing it for my Alzheimer’s Challenge and it’s really tough, so you’re sensible to think about the timing.
I found with my challenge, it’s better to agree on just one thing to focus on - so for me it is doing the 2018km in 2018. I’d had a thought that I might incorporate a half marathon into the year, but when I looked at the training plans - I couldn’t get them to coordinate with my need to run 40km+ a week. So I decided the Alzheimer’s thing was my focus and half marathons can wait until 2019...
Don’t know if that advice helps or not, but it took a weight off my mind, once I’d decided it!
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Good for you though, and for us, since you’re another example of success! 
Enjoyable little 10k jaunt :)
Another run ticked off... Week 2, Run 2, 5k. Done!
Canal towpath 10k
A cheeky 5k and a first-?
