How often should you run a 10km distance? - Bridge to 10K

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How often should you run a 10km distance?

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10
40 Replies

Okies so last Sunday i ran my 1st ever 10km, following JuJu's Magic 10k plan. I've done x2 slow 4km runs this week and I've a 2or3km run to do for a virtual team event Friday 7pm. .. is it too early to consider another 10km run then on Sunday?

I've a fun run / jog about on July 26th.. so was planning to rest all of that week anyways..

Ideas? Thoughts? I plod about anything from a 8min km to a 13min km, depending on knees, routes, weather and me !

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Lucyintheskywith profile image
Lucyintheskywith
Graduate10
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40 Replies
Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

Well done with these recovery runs after your 10k. Try another, you will be amazed what you can manage, you've already proved you can do it once. It is also possible to stop before the 10k if you happen to find yourself struggling- if you do then celebrate the distance you managed. Happy running 🤗

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

Cheers for good words of advice here , thankyou..hopefully my knee will behave so i can xx

in reply toGrannyhugs

Grannyhugs is ace!

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10 in reply to

I'm actually just a normal person having fun running 🤣

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

Sound Advice xx

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

2nd 10km done tonight.. hey 1hr 38min but done it! Fantastic scenery on route too x

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10 in reply toLucyintheskywith

Brilliant, so happy for you. Now you really know you can do 10k whenever you put your mind to it. Happy running 🤗

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

Think I need to find different routes to occupy my mind as I go... Seems to help. Last night there were some absolutely gorgeous swans , ducks , coots and horses .. Some lush views with geese flying overhead.. Just beautiful😊.

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10 in reply toLucyintheskywith

Fantastic, new routes are absolutely essential in my book, if a route makes your heart sink, avoid it. 🤗

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

Hills for me atm are a nope! Right knee ain't up to it ...

Forest_Run_Beginner profile image
Forest_Run_BeginnerGraduate10

I would do whatever feels good, sorry, not a very definitive answer but only you really know what you can do! When I did my first 10K, I ran anything from 5k - 8k every other day for a couple of weeks and then 2 weeks later ran my second one. Since then, I've been doing 1 a week but that's more a time thing - I can only really fit one in at the weekend.

If you have the time, maybe head out for a run and see how far you get. If you feel good and it ends up being a 10k then you've done it, if not, no problem. But perhaps have date in mind by when you'd like to complete your second one so you have something to aim for.

Just my thoughts but you've done it once so you'll be fine doing it again, just don't worry and run happy. :-)

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toForest_Run_Beginner

Hey I'm happy for all words.. they're all helpful and useful too. Thankyou x

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toForest_Run_Beginner

2nd 10km done tonight.. hey 1hr 38min but done it! Fantastic scenery on route too x

Forest_Run_Beginner profile image
Forest_Run_BeginnerGraduate10 in reply toLucyintheskywith

Amazing, well done and that's a great time. Did you enjoy it too? I enjoy the long runs more when I do them slowly. Excellent running fellow runner :-)

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toForest_Run_Beginner

Yes..a lovely evening.. No-one about.. So peaceful when away from the Aroad ,new different routes to occupy my mind as I go... Seems to help.( Finding them is hard part). Last night there were some absolutely gorgeous swans , ducks , coots and horses .. Some lush views with geese flying overhead.. Just beautiful😊.

Forest_Run_Beginner profile image
Forest_Run_BeginnerGraduate10 in reply toLucyintheskywith

That sounds wonderful, I hope you keep finding new routes like this to keep your mind as happy as your running body :-)

I'd do it. Your pacing suits it and the shorter run tonight will give you good preparation. I think it's fine to do one every week as long as your other mileage isn't too high. The 10% rule is an important run. You've been doing the plan though so your weekly mileage is already pretty good. Go for it!

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

10% run rule?

I'm hopeful my right knee won't act up. I've purchased a knee brace.. did the 3km run tonight.. far slower than i would've normally but didn't want to aggravate. Knee brace appears to help.

in reply toLucyintheskywith

Where you only increase your overall time or distance running by 10% each week.

By the way I'd do a little run leading up to Sunday week to keep the legs going.

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

Yes 2.5 to 4km run?

in reply toLucyintheskywith

Perfect. Nice and steady

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

I've noticed that since April my pace is slower.. as I'm increasingly adding more km's into a week. So when i go back to a 3 to 5km my pace is slower than when i was doing c25k. I've only ever done 5km once in 36min. Its generally around 45min but recently its 50 to 55min( taking knee into consideration too).

in reply toLucyintheskywith

That's absolutely fine. When you feel fully ready and able to give it some beans then do a quicker type one per week or every other week and the rest slower. Tempo, Intervals and all that jazz also help but find what you're happy with 😊

You're doing great

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

Fantastic !

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate10

I don't have an answer for you as I only did my first 10k a couple of weeks ago but I've been wondering the same thing so thanks for asking a great question. I was considering doing 1 or 2 a month for a few months...

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toMum22boys

Well done on reaching your 10km milestone too... I'm thinking maybe of doing 10km this week and then upwards following weeks increasing by 1km?

in reply toLucyintheskywith

This sounds good. I love running and am new at it (started C25K in Nov 19) and I'm learning all the time as I find it genuinely interesting. It can be bewildering at times though with intervals, tempo, fartlek, hill repeats, cadence, heart rate, breathing etc. The list is endless!

I think ultimately it's a journey and there's ups and downs but it's easy to get overwhelmed. Just run and keep going. Maybe treat it all like a market stall and try things, take what you can and find out what works for you and perhaps what doesn't. Keep going and try to be consistent and enjoy the freedom it affords. Each and every time you walk out the door to run it's a victory. Best wishes

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

Where do you find all your training sessions on for intervals, tempo, fartlek, hill repeats, cadence, heart rate, breathing etc

Ive found pyramids on audiofuel ( via spotify) both 20min and 32min sessions. Ive downloaded nike run app to see what's on there too.. not familiar enough with this. I love audiofuel podcasts for all bpm running too.

in reply toLucyintheskywith

The Running Channel and Global Triathlon Network on YouTube are ace.

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

2nd 10km done tonight.. hey 1hr 38min but done it! Fantastic scenery on route too x

in reply toLucyintheskywith

Boom!!! Love it 🎽

You've got loads in you 😊

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

Hopefully! Tad sore today but that'll wear off. I've noticed some tiny blisters on my feet 😕. No idea why they've popped up.. ?

Think I need to find different routes to occupy my mind as I go... Seems to help. Last night there were some absolutely gorgeous swans , ducks , coots and horses .. Some lush views with geese flying overhead.. Just beautiful😊.

in reply toLucyintheskywith

Vaseline on them or between the toes can help as can 2 pairs of socks if your shoes allow. I don't mind so much the same route although mine is scenic. I break it up into sections but new routes are always exciting.

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply to

It's an odd one, especially as I've gait analysed shoes and wearing compression L&R running socks...

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate10 in reply toLucyintheskywith

I'm really excited to run further but knowing my knees (way too much hockey on concrete based AstroTurf in my youth has taken its toll) I need to build up really slowly. I think you need to listen to your body and you'll know what's working and what's not. I think slow and steady is the way to go. Do you have an ultimate distance in mind?

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toMum22boys

Not specifically no.. but i work better with a plan 😄.. i guess with following c25k and JuJu's Magic 10k plan; it makes your 3 runs per week easier..

I've joined a local run club. I'll book up for August to go onto one of their sessions .

I really need a focus..

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate10 in reply toLucyintheskywith

I always thought I worked better with a plan... but have enjoyed devising my own plan as well. Have you ever joined the monthly quests they do on here? I've found it really helptulfpr being accountable. Good luck with the running club, let us know how that goes

Lucyintheskywith profile image
LucyintheskywithGraduate10 in reply toMum22boys

Quests? Tell me more.

2nd 10km done tonight.. hey 1hr 38min but done it! Fantastic scenery on route too x

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate10 in reply toLucyintheskywith

One of the administrator's starts a post each month asking people to set out their quest for the month so you decide what your target is and then there's a weekly post checking on progress. It's good for keeping motivation

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