First time round was a rush through ju_ju_’s plan, done in 6 weeks and not repeating the 8 and 9k runs. Big mistake. Whilst I reached 10k on that 6th long run on 25th August, it was only just and it took more out of me than I felt happy repeating.
I then went back to running 4 and 5k runs with the occasional 6k. By mid-September I’d dwindled down to 2 runs a week, then I went away and caught man flu and by end of September, beginning of October Ihad a couple of weeks with only one run.
Habit at risk, I came towards mid-October determined to turn things round and get back up to 10k. I prepared a modified version of ju_ju_’s plan that went 4-5-6; 4-5-7; 4-5.5-8; repeat; 4-6-9; repeat; 4-6.5-10. At some points I was running every other day, which is unusual for me so I must’ve got my mojo back.
But, being impatient, I dropped the repeat of the 9k - I can’t follow my own orders to myself - and ran the 10k yesterday to end the week. There were reasons - I had to mess around my running days due to work so I had slipped from alternate day runs; I’m registered for the virtual Movember 10k and the weather forecast for the final weekend in November isn’t great; and as well as being stubborn I’m impatient and don’t like to do what I’m told!
The run yesterday was brilliant. By the final 2k I knew I’d done a long run, but I was in that pace and breathing mode where I felt like I could run on forever, whereas last time I would’ve quit if you’d added 50m to the end.
Having got part way through this return to 10k I’d already decided I was going to aim for further. I registered for a “12k of Christmas” virtual run as a prompt to keep going to 10. Plan is to run another 10 then do 2 weeks of 11 and 2 of 12. I’d then be on to 13k for New Year week.
Eagle eyed among you might’ve noticed I’ve posted on the Marathon forum, with an intention to grow my runs to half Marathon distance, hoping to reach that by my runniversay in late March. It will clearly depend on how harsh the winter is.
Anyway, I’m back in the 10ks and enjoying it - I hope you all enjoy your next runs too x
Written by
Jay66UK
Graduate10
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Congratulations Jay, great to see you’ve got your mojo back! I’m aiming for my first half marathon on 31 March, a week before my 1st runniversary. There’s no reason we can’t do it if we stick to our plans🙂👍
Because I follow you, I saw that you’d posted on the marathon site. How exciting is that? Kudos for that sir! That site is serious business and I felt very very small!
So you’re running 10ks and planning serious running this weekend, I’m running parkrun wearing an elephant onesie. Hmmm 🤔 🤔 😅🏃♀️🏃
Brilliant! Glad it's going well. A half marathon! Good luck! I'm still working towards 10k!! How much weight have you lost?? I've slowly lost nearly a stone and it makes running so much more comfortable! 🤪🤪
Well done Jay! I’m getting quite excited about us all aiming for HMs together now...😊❤️ (You really need to change your profile pic to this new one - you can clearly see you’ve lost loads more weight from around your face now! 😃❤️❤️)
Great to see you back on form. I am too, but just solid consolidation runs. No plans to go much further than 5k for winter at least. Following all you 10k-ers in case I change my mind. 😆 Well done.
Brilliant Jay! Congratulations to you! You sound as though your enjoying every step and that’s both encouraging and inspiring. Best wishes for the 12k’s of Christmas and the HM too! Well done you!! ❤️
Flip the dog! Ok what the hell is going on?? You're not the same bloke! I seriously would not have recognised you Jay66UK 😱 You look so slim, and so YOUNG!! I swear you look 10 years younger!! And noticeabley more smiley these days?? Lovely to see 🤗 Way to go Jay, you my friend are doing great!! X (big smackeroo 😘)
Brilliant Jay. Congratulations on your 10k and, even more, on enjoying it. Looking forward to my 7k on ju-ju’s plan this week, but just can’t imagine going onto HMs. Well done!
I didn’t think I ever would either. But I remember week 1 of Couch and foolishly printing off the schedule and thinking “I can never run 5 minutes non stop”.
It’s not for everyone, and it may turn out too far for me -10k was the first time round, but that was my fault cutting a few corners too many.
I’m going to give it a concerted effort (I don’t really believe in “try”) and do it carefully to avoid injury.
You’ll know if/when you are ready for a longer run, just as you do movng from 5k to 10k.
I am looking forward to getting to 10k. I was walking the dog in Clumber Park yesterday and noticed that they have a National Trust 10 trail on the 4th Sunday of each month. 23rd December would be the start of week 8 for me. Being a trail, I’m sure it would be slow and I’ll have to get some new shoes, but might be a nice way to do my first 10k, rather than plodding round my usual route on my own!
Sorry rather slow to see this! Well done on your return to 10k and your impressive weight loss. I expect you feel much healthier. Brilliant! All the best for you HM journey too! Amazing!
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
