First 5K run done and looking for the 10!

[KarinJR]

Hello group! I'm new here - a later-in-life runner. I completed the 5K program in early August and have been diligently continuing with the 5K+. Did my first official 5K run on Aug. 25th (it was tough going - hot 25C with relentless sun on black asphalt). But I finished with a time of 33:40 (not last!). Now I need/want a new goal to keep me motivated (apart from improving my 5K time) and 10K is it. Not sure if a mid-late October date is too ambitious?

[MadDave]

Hi Karin - I'm later in life too and graduated at the end of July. I did my 1st 10k today, by accident not by design. I'm aiming to do a proper 10k 'race' mid October. In the meantime I would recommend running 3 times a week - do a park run on Saturday and two other longer runs during the week - focus on increasing the distance by 10% a week and don't worry about the time - speed will come with distance. Have fun!

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Hi Karin,

I also graduated in July, and also did my first 10k this morning. Getting to 10k isn’t like doing C25K. You are already a runner, so you can expect to make good progress. I used the '10 is the magic number' plan which you can find on this forum. I started at week 2 and missed week 5 as it's a repeat of week 4. Week 6 includes a 9k, so this morning I did that one and just kept on running to 10k. Good luck!

[KarinJR Graduate10 in reply to telford_mike]

You're so right about this not being like the C25K. I can hardly believe it. I started it, and am in week 3. Did a 7K run last night (it was going to be my 3.5 K as I had already done the Parkrun 5K on Saturday). Well - I felt I could keep going, and so I did! And I could probably have gone longer. What a revelation! Congrats to you for having done the 10K!

[telford_mike Graduate10 in reply to KarinJR]

Nice going! It really is astonishing how quickly you make progress. Good luck getting to 10k!

[Hidden]

Welcome Karin. Check out the 10 is the Magic Number plan on the pinned posts and jump onboard

[KarinJR Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

thanks for the suggestion - I am aboard!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Hi KarinJR, I’ve just joined the magic plan too. I’m 60 and graduated in May and I have just been doing up to 5ks so far. But yesterday, spurred on by the success stories from my fellow graduates, I’m in. I love Parkrun so that will be my 5k run each week.

[KarinJR Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks - I had never heard of Parkrun before - so you inspired me to google it. What a great movement! And there is one only a 25-minute drive from home...so I went last Saturday. Thanks for the tip!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to KarinJR]

I’m so pleased you enjoyed it too. I am lucky that I can walk to ours but 25 minutes is not too far.