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