You have run 10K!!! 😊 What next???

[roseabi]

Hello 10K runner!

Congratulations for getting to 10K (or 6.2 miles if you prefer) - you should feel very proud of yourself! If you haven't done so already, be sure to request your Graduate10 badge on this month's pinned Badges post.

You're probably reading THIS post because you're wondering where to take your running next! Here are a few ideas for you 😊😊😊

★ Explore 10K!

When I was working towards 10K I just went up and down the lovely, flat, Brighton & Hove promenade. Once I had reached the distance I started to think about where else I could run. I drew up a new route on my GPS app website (Endomondo at the time) which took me inland, up and down hills, and round a local park. It was so much fun - and a great way to explore my new town! I soon built up quite a list of different 10K routes that I really enjoyed running.

★ Continue getting stronger!

By running further you are increasing your strength, but you are also exposing yourself to a greater risk of injury. It's a great idea to supplement your running with regular strength workouts. Check out our sister forum, Strength & Flex, for ideas!

healthunlocked.com/strength...

★ Enter a 10K race!

There are many 10K events held throughout the year - why not have a look online for one local to you, and give it a go!? Entering a race will give you a great short-term goal to help keep you running. And there are plenty of free training plans available online to help get you started!

I love a 10K race, but I confess it took me a couple of years to get around to doing one 😄

★ Run further!

After running my 10K routes for a month or so, I started to think, well, a half marathon is only two 10Ks and a bit... I found a half I liked the look of, and I went for it! As with 10Ks there are so many half marathons to choose from. But you don't have to go that far to find a distance goal, because another great target is 10 miles!!! (aka 16 km) This is a wonderful next-step after running 10K, and the 10 mile distance is becoming a very popular racing event also.

And of course you don't have to enter an event to run further - if you enjoy distance running then why not see where it takes you! There are many free online 10-mile-half-marathon training plans available to choose from.

If you like the idea of distance running and/or racing, come on over to the Marathon Running and Race Support forum!

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

★ Don't enjoy running 10K? No problem!

I'd suggest you give it a fair trial, but if you don't enjoy running longer distances, stick with what you love! Whatever your favourite distance, running has so much to offer: track distances, interval training, 5K (or shorter) races, parkrun, club running, trail running - and most important of all HAVING FUN!!!!!

So, whatever you decide to do next...

Enjoy your running!!!

roseabi xx

Last edited March 10th, 2022

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

You must have read my mind roseabi. I was just wondering what to do next. I will continue my 3 runs per week and keep one of them a 10k. Don't think I want to go any further. Thank you 😊😊

[roseabi in reply to Buddy34]

Have fun!! xxx

[Debston Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Hi Buddy34, just spotted your new badge, congratulations on 10k! 🥉 🎉

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Hi roseabi just reading because I like to read posts and cause I’m on IC still. Good luck all who have reached 10k I will soon be following you. Happy running

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

That's not fair Roseabi, I never had a 10K cake when I graduated to Graduate10 on August 28,😊, nevermind, since then I have ran 3 of them, usually about 3 weeks apart, not really sure about entering at 10K race/event, it took me 13 months from when I graduated from C25K to run my first parkrun so for a 10K race/event which some cost £30 or more to enter and there are sometimes 10,000 running or more!!! 🙄??

I think I will just keep running a 10K locally and of course go to my favourite parkrun on a Saturday morning 🏃🏾 😊

[roseabi in reply to AlMorr]

Sounds like a plan!

And it's never too late for cake 😊😊😊

[damienair Administrator in reply to AlMorr]

Hi Al, try a 10K race. It’s worth the entrance fee. You’ll get a T-Shirt, Medal and loads of goodies at the finish line. The atmosphere will be electric. Like you I adore parkrun and love running 5K. I also run a couple of 5K and 10K road races during the year. As a result I now have a lovely collection of T-Shirts.

Damien

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Well done Damien, thanks for the advice regarding 10Ks, something worth thinking about 🏃🏾😊

[marceloribas78 Graduate10]

I did my first 10k run with no walking break yesterday!

Here it is:

strava.com/activities/29052...

[roseabi in reply to marceloribas78]

Well done!!! Go and claim your 10K badge here:

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to marceloribas78]

Congratulations on your first 10k. 😊😊👏👏👏👏

[JaoJao Graduate10]

Great advice, even for the ones who have graduated previously and need a reminder! I’ve booked a 10K race in the new year and then who knows what else!

[roseabi in reply to JaoJao]

Awesome!!

[2718281 Graduate10]

Perfect timing I like having a plan, I'm going to keep running 3 times a week, with a 10k every two weeks, until I'm back from Xmas break, then I'll start planning next year. I want to try a half marathon in october, but it's a long time until then, so I might need something different in between

[roseabi in reply to 2718281]

A couple of 10k races would be good, and see if you can find a 10 Mile race - a great confidence booster for the half marathon 😊😊😊

[Stargull Graduate10]

Thanks for this! It was your advice amongst others that pushed me to try to reach 10k and here I am. I think I'm going to explore a bit - so many more options at the longer distance. And maybe a virtual race? Thanks again.