Maybe I have a 10K in me after all!

[Lobajo]

Love this forum as it is full of such lovely positive people and lots of great advice. Followed a link yesterday to a video about arm swing linking it to cadence and pace. Anyway this evening I thought I would give it a go and deliberately shortened my arm swing. Did the first k in 5’ 20” and thought ‘blimey that’s a bit fast’ but felt ok and decided to keep at it. It was such a lovely evening on the marshes, quite cool and a bit overcast - my favourite weather for running. Kept the pace going, last k was a bit tough but ended up running my first sub 30 min 5 K in 28:06 to be precise! Wow, just wow! Who’d have thought I could go from couch to that in about 11 weeks! So so chuffed. And if I can do it anyone can - I have done pretty much no exercise for the last 5 years due to persistent and chronic hip pain and had given up hope of ever being fit again. So I had been thinking I would just take it easy for the rest of July and stick to consolidation runs but I think I may just sign up for Ju-Ju’s magic plan - maybe I do have a 10K in me after all!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Many people like me who have been running 5 and 10K runs for years dream about getting a sub 30 minute 5k but never have, congratulations on getting that 5K run in 28.06, I don't see any harm on you going on to Ju Ju's Magic 10 plan if you want to run a 10K.,

I graduated from C25K over two years ago, my fastest two 5Ks have been at a parkrun in a time of 30.55 and 30.56.so a sub 30 minute 5k is still something I have never ran..

[Hidden in reply to AlMorr]

To be anywhere near that is awesome Al!!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, the 30.56 run was ran in a temperature of -6C/21F which was quite a surprise considering that it was at the same parkrun around two months earlier I had ran the 30.55 PB in brilliant sunshine in a mid 60's F temperature.

[Lobajo in reply to AlMorr]

Both of those times are brilliant Al! And I would be more than happy with them still. What is most important to me is the pleasure I get from the practice of running regularly and supporting each other through our triumphs and challenges on this forum. My foot is really sore this morning and I am going to have to ice it - so I have given myself a bit of a talking to and told myself not to be so reckless in future! I would rather run slower all the time than run fast and risk injury and have to stop running.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Wow well done. Also, moving to 10k isn’t as hard as going to 5 👍🏽

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

That’s really impressive Lobajo. A sub 30 5k isn’t in my immediate future - or any length future I doubt! But I love hearing of people who achieve it, especially people like you who do it so soon after graduating.

Well done! 👏👏👏🎉

[Lobajo in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you so much - as I just replied to Al I am actually a bit sore this morning so am regretting it slightly! I am just a bit exuberant because I am nearly 60 and for a long time I didn’t think I would ever be able to exercise again! But in the end I am starting to realise the time doesn’t really matter it is the running that counts.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Lobajo]

Absolutely. Run at your pace to keep it fun, but deep inside you know you’re speedy! Brilliant. 👏👏👏

[Lobajo in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂 🧡

[Hidden]

That is a super time! Well done because that is some going! I think the Bridge to 10k is a great plan. It's a steady start too so go for it!!

[Cuppa242]

That’s amazing well done you! 👏👏 Can I ask what was the link?

[Lobajo in reply to Cuppa242]

I just checked and the link was first posted a couple of days ago by @GTFC in a reply to a post about leg kick - here it is youtu.be/exkrqJQH51w(Not working as expected?)

[NetCadet Graduate10]

Fantastic! And what a great time!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Fantastic work reaching sub 30min 5k so early in your running life. The 10k plan is fantastic, trust it and trust yourself and you'll soon be searching out those wonderful longer routes. Happy running 🤗

[Lobajo in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks so much. I think it was a fluke - just a combination of optimum weather and feeling reasonably energetic! But actually am going to take it slower in future as think I am quite injury prone and would rather keep running! But the 10K plan definitely now in my sights! 😊

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Lobajo]

Slowing down as you start longer runs is a great idea, not every run should be at race speed, you need training speeds too. Enjoy🤗