1st race

[Maz1234]

I’ve been thinking for a while to do a charity run and I’ve finally plucked up the courage to book one. It’s a 10 mile route local to where I live on the 22nd March . I’ve got about 11 1/2 weeks to get up to 10 miles. I can do a mixture of running and walking but would love to be able to run the whole 10 miles. I’m thinking to add a extra mile to my 10k each week. Any suggestions or tips would be really appreciated on everything from my diet the week especially the day before the race to what to expect on the day. I’m a solo runner and I’m a bit nervous and also excited to be running with a large group of people. Also does anyone use energy gels and if so do they work

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Wow congratulations on signing up. Good luck, you are obviously confident at your 10k to be moving on. I've only done 1 race, 3 days after graduating c25k. 1600 people after running solo. It's quite a change. From my tiny experience find your gaps and your own speed rather than being either held back too much or carried away too fast. Happy running and happy new year

[Maz1234 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks Grannytobe. I figured it’s now or never . I’m thinking the amount of people will keep me going if I start flagging a bit . Happy new year to you and your family also.

[Coddfish Graduate10]

I have done the Great South Run twice, it’s 10 miles. The first time I did it, I trained sporadically to 7 or 8k, then tackled the doubling of distance over the 3 months or so immediately before the event. I added 1 or 2k to my long run every couple of weeks, running it as an interval run, the first time with blocks of 2 or 3k interspersed with walking, the second time with longer running bits. I got up to 15k before the event and got round the event ok on the day.

The second time, I had already done a 10k earlier in the year, and thought it would be relatively easy to add on the extra using the method I had used before. I had some issues with new shoes, a few badly timed holidays, and ended up running out of time to build up properly. 3 or 4 weeks before the event, I was very comfortable at 10k but struggling to get materially beyond it. I got a painful 12k and painful 13k in, and reasoned I could walk the last bit if necessary. On race day, I got to the big gel station at 11 or 12k, where the floor was a complete mess of dropped gel cubes, slipped, and ended up hobbling the rest of the race. By 15k I was completely shot and had to will myself to get to the finish line. I am not sure I would have been much better if I hadn’t slipped, I just hadn’t got the miles into the legs.

So allow plenty of time to build up, you can’t know in advance how well it will go. And beware of ‘winging it’ if not properly prepared. Fortunately I didn’t do myself any longer term damage.

I don’t like gels myself but find small pieces of cereal / fruit bar useful. I also carry water on a belt for these longer distances. Drink, and eat, before you feel you really need to.

[Maz1234]

Thanks coddfish is I’ve ran 10k twice I was thinking do 1 more 10k on Tuesday then once a week do one long run of 10k the add 1extra

Mile each week till I get 10 miles. I’m not worried about pace I’m not concerned how long it takes to run and I’m also if need to walk part way but ideally run