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!😀
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JonathanP
Graduate10
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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
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 😉
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.
Oh Jonathan, it happens to the best of us 😂😂😂. 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...
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 👍
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😊
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!
I don’t believe you 🤥 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 😬
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 😊
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.
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 😁🏃♂️
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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 
Never could handle surprises.
Wow!! PB I never imagined I'd see 🏃♀️🌟
Fabulous450 & The Art of Never Giving Up 🏃🏽♀️ ❤️
Better late than never!!!🙈
