Never say never?: I've been fairly clear... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

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Never say never?

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10
β€’41 Replies

I've been fairly clear recently to myself and VRBs that 10K is 'my' distance and I don't have any motivation to increase that. Well for the last couple of weeks I've been thinking that perhaps I should see how a small increase to my weekly long run would go!

My 5k and 10k times have plateaued and I thought it might help improve my pace at shorter distances. This decision was helped by a change to my normal 10K route which means that it is not quite so hilly and also gives me the opportunity to easily lengthen my run.

So last week I tried 12k - all went well (1.16.02, pace 6.19 min/km) and this week I upped that to 13k (1.22.30, 6.21) with no significant problems apart from the expected post-run aches. Not sure whether or where I will go from here but it has been interesting!πŸ˜€

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JonathanP profile image
JonathanP
Graduate10
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41 Replies
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cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

10 miles is calling your name Jonathan! If you can do 13k, you can do 16.1. πŸ˜€ Just take it slower, as you already know! πŸ‘πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

Hmm - we'll see!😜

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate10

small(?) HM in your sights maybe?

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply tobackintime

How small can you get?πŸ˜€

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate10

Yep. Those longer distances kinda sneaked up on me also J. :) I used to think 10k was my "ultimate", now ten milers are fun, a recent HM rather enjoyable...and I am actually hoping I don't fall for the siren song of a FM, too many other things need doing with the time that would take ;)

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toIrish-John

Yes, it can be a time bandit!

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

It's addictive...! πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ€£

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toGoGo_JoJo

And I thought I didn't have an addictive personality!πŸ˜€

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Ah ha JonathanP. You know we all said 5k, then 10k and here we are running longer.

You have done brilliantly and it is a natural progression for you to run further. Having said I am likely to return to 10k as soon as I’ve completed the GSR.

Your pace is really good on the 12k and 13k so I’ve no doubt you can join us on the 10 mile podium- there’s still room

PS entries are still open for the Great South Run πŸ˜‰

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10β€’ in reply toDexy5

Behave woman!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10β€’ in reply toUpTheStanley

πŸ˜‡

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toDexy5

Thanks Dexy - but still not convinced!πŸ˜‹

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10

Nice work. I often look back and remember how happy I was with 5k... and then 10k, but I don’t think I’d be on a HM plan without a reason or a feeling that it was time to go further... well done for waiting to feel the motivation to go a little further before doing so. Where it ends up is anyone’s guess... but the journey there will be wonderful.

Happy running.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toUnfitNoMore

Yes I'm not one for targets, so relax and enjoy it is where I am at presentπŸ‘πŸ˜€

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10

Oh Jonathan, it happens to the best of us πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. I swore blind I would not go beyond 10k, and yes, it took me a year before I started increasing on that, but out of the blue, one morning at work in May, I signed up for a Sept HM...to this day I cannot tell you what drove me to do it! Adding a bit on to your long run each week is definitely a good way to do it. I was amazed at how much my fitness rocketed when I started going longer...

All the best to you!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toSadie-runs

Thanks Sadie - it has to be what feels right at the timeπŸ‘

TheTaffSnail profile image
TheTaffSnailGraduate10

Ooh I didn't think about 10 miles as my next target. I'm up to 12km and I was thinking of working up to HM but now got an intermediate target to work to πŸ‘

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toTheTaffSnail

I'll let you go first Taff!πŸ˜€

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Oh dear... A slippery slope..

Next it will be a round 15k

But it isn't much further to 10 miles after that.

And 10 miles is only a parkrun short of a HM

.... Sigh

There's no hope for you now JP!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toKatnap

I know - what have I done!!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

You laughed when I said I just "drifted" up to 19k on a 10k run....but it happens! Just a question of the right pace on the right day, especially for a speed merchant like you, and bish bash bosh a HM is in the bag! No pressure😊

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10β€’ in reply toBeachcomber66

10 to 19 is not a β€œdrift”, it’s a full scale landslide πŸ˜€

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10β€’ in reply toUpTheStanley

Honestly, for whatever reason the k's really tick by once I get to 10k....I maintain my defence 😊

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toBeachcomber66

Oh dear - the biter bit! None taken!πŸ˜€

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10

Don’t tell anyone but my half/marathon runny friend who did the Wild Wine Run is really pushing me to do a half. I get to choose which one and he’ll stay with me while I run aargh!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10β€’ in reply toSandie1961

I promise I will not be following you on that adventure Sandie, but I will be cheering you on and supporting you.

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10β€’ in reply toDexy5

Careful....

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10β€’ in reply toDexy5

I haven’t said yes yet, although Hampton Court HM looks like a fab route πŸ€£πŸ€¦πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10β€’ in reply toSandie1961

I’ll watch this space 🀣🀣

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10β€’ in reply toSandie1961

Trapped!! HM here you come 😊. Just believe me when I say 16 to 21 ( plus a bit) is much easier than 10 to 16 😊. HonestπŸ‘

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10β€’ in reply toBeachcomber66

I don’t believe you πŸ€₯ I’ve told him I’m not doing anything before GSR, I’m away 3 weekends in November (C25k graduation parkrun with my BFF who is being coached by Katnap at Stratford) and I don’t fancy the depths of winter. Hopefully he might forget, but, knowing him, he won’t 😬

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10β€’ in reply toSandie1961

Ok, apply the 10% rule; you don't have to go up to 21ishK in 1k intervals as you will have worked out. I think my longest runs went 16, 13, 18, 16 then 21 between 8th August and 11 September with 8s and 10s sprinkled In amongst the 5ks. It may because I become delirious through calorie loss, but the time really does seem to fly by over 10k ! I wouldn't tell you porkies 😊

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toSandie1961

My lips are sealed! Best of luck!πŸ˜‹

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10

Ahh, we all said that ... Slippery slope! Get yourself over to the marathon & race support forum and there'll be lots if bad influences for you over there ... not to mention a 10 mile badge to claim when you're ready.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Don't tempt me!πŸ˜€

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate10

Very impressive pace tooπŸ‘

Lots of you more experienced runners seem to do this! I can't imagine wanting to go passed the 10K which I'm working towards, but then I thought that when I got to 5K too so I guess you can never say never.

It's great that you are just doing what's comfortable, enjoy it whatever you decide πŸ˜πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toRun46

Thanks Run46 - I felt exactly the same at that stage. All the best for your journey to 10k!πŸ‘

LilRunner2019 profile image
LilRunner2019

Thats some good courage!!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toLilRunner2019

Thanks!πŸ‘

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2

Well done!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10β€’ in reply toCouchpotato2

Thanks CP!πŸ˜€

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