My First 10K Completed!!

[Dodgylungs]

Well I finally did it. After setting out on my C25K journey last July and joining this forum on Week 4 of that journey, when I was struggling to run for 16 minutes, I just completed my first ever 10K and ran for 81 minutes non stop. I would expect that time to come down considerably over the next weeks and months.

I entered to run the Hackney Half Marathon (which is set to take place on May 16th this year) in a moment of madness. Despite my monicker of Dodgylungs and still being a bit wheezy in the mornings, it is clearly not stopping me from progressing. I was actually less exhausted at the end of this run than I was for the 8K a few weeks back.

I ran 3 small circuits on the Heath which was very hard on my legs. My original plan today was to run the longer circuits around the ponds but I could feel that it just wasn’t in my legs. I left the Heath at 4K and continued my descent towards Kentish Town and for the last 4K ran with my troublesome right hamstring being tight. I thought about stopping as the last time it tightened like this I actually tweaked it and was out for a week. However, this time it felt more achy than damaged and given the last 4K was on the flat, I just kept going and hoped it would hold up, which I’m pleased to say it did.

This is a major step forward for me and I’ve always wanted to run 10K. Today I achieved my goal. Now for the half marathon...

[Lookslikejames Graduate10]

Nice one! Congrats on your first 10k!

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Lookslikejames]

Thank you!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Massive congratulations, a brilliant achievement. Well done. Happy running 🤗

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you so much!

[LauraRuns]

Congratulations DL!! What an achievement in a short period of time too, wishing you all the best for your next challenge - nothing will stop you now!

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to LauraRuns]

Thank you so much. I’m inspired by people like you!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Amazing, fantastic, and very well done 😀 I remember your first posts, you have progressed so much

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you! Yes, less complaining and more digging in now 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Dodgylungs]

I’ve done more complaining and less digging in lately but that first 10k is magic isn’t it?

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Haha - yes that's the one that makes you feel like a runner.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Dodgylungs]

It is

[pr0fess0r Graduate10]

What an inspiration - you're on fire! Well done 👍🏆

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to pr0fess0r]

Thanks buddy! Half marathon next!

[Teresafaith Graduate10]

Well done, such a great achievement for you- I'm aiming for 10k and have got as far as 7k with a bit of a twinge in my knee so I've got to pace myself now as I don't want an injury to stop me moving forward. You've done so well in a short space of time, a great inspiration for me.

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Teresafaith]

Thank you! You will do it. Nurse your injuries because running on them will make them worse. If you can do 7K, its not a huge step to 10K. You'll get there - but do it at your own pace and safely.

[Teresafaith Graduate10 in reply to Dodgylungs]

I will, it doesn't matter how long it takes me!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done you !Great achievement 👍👏👏👏

Feels good dosent it 😁

Don't forget to claim your Graduate 10 badge here on the bridge 😁👍

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks so much! I will apply!

[nowster Graduate10]

Well done! 👍 👍

10 miles is the next step (16.1 km)

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks very much. Great, thank you! I'll start building up to that!

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Dodgylungs]

I'm hoping to hit 10km next month. Dodgy knee has knocked me back this last fortnight. I'll have to work back up again to the 8km/60min I'd reached at New Year. Storm Christoph is going to add to the delay, too.

One thing I find is that a week or two's rest does often allow the body to build back better.

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

You'll get there. I think any injury has to be rested. I'm nursing ongoing ankle and hamstring issues. The ankle has been good recently as I strap it up when I run. The hamstring was tight during and after the run today. I won't run on it again until it's back to normal. I don't want that putting me out for a month or worse. Good luck with your knee.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Dodgylungs]

The short run yesterday went well. The knee's holding up. I'm going to gently work back up to 8km over the rest of the month.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Fantastic run and huge congratulations on your first 10k! 👏👏👏

I did my first (and so far only!) 10k for the London Vitality 10,000 back in October and I used that NRC 10k Head Starts guided run. I found it really motivating

HM is a great aim - I'm sure you will get there. 👍

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

That is exactly what I used this morning. Been on the NRC since graduating the C25K. Coach Bennett is grat for getting you through.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Good luck for your HM in May, that will probably be virtual as I can't see any race or event runs taking place anywhere before Autumn.

Congratulations on running your first

10K in 81 minutes.

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE10 next to your username leave a message in the pinned posts on the right side of the healthunlocked Graduate10 January Homepage and tell the administrators that you have ran your first 10K 🎓.

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Yea that’s my fear, but who knows what will happen once we are vaccinated to the extent where there’s some kind of herd immunity. I’m hoping there will be distanced running but I appreciate that’s unlikely.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Dodgylungs]

👍 🏃🏾

[Lizcanrun Graduate10]

Well done! Fantastic achievement 👍👏😀🏅

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Lizcanrun]

Thank you!

[Jericho2332 Graduate10]

Well done! Great achievement 👍🏻

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Jericho2332]

Thanks very much!

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate]

Congrats DL! 🌟🙌🏼

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thank you!

[Week7 Graduate10]

Congratulations 👏 👏 👏 👏 Love the new badge!

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

Thank you. Great isn’t it!!

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to Dodgylungs]

It really is I still find it hard to believe that I can run 10k,bet you forgot! Onwards and upwards

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

I can’t believe I did it either - same as I can’t believe I’ve signed up for a half marathon!

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to Dodgylungs]

Good luck with the Half Marathon! It seems like a huge task but so did 10k not so long ago.Go for it!

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

Thank you. Reckon I’ll have it in the bag by March.

[Rennur Graduate10]

I'm just at the start of my journey to 10K. I found your posts really inspiring. Plus you did it "climbing" 120m.

That Half Marathon is much closer now. But like you I think we won't be running organised races safely til Autumn. More time to train, I guess!

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Rennur]

Thank you. The climbing aspect of it was tricky. I didn’t spend as much time on the Heath as I wanted but it’s tough going when your legs are aching. Wonder if that ever gets easier? Good luck with your running.

[BonniesRest]

Wonderful! 👏 Such great progress 🎉

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to BonniesRest]

Thank you!

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Congratulations, another massive hurdle, you've got over, feels so good 😊 even more so when you think back to the early c25k weeks, that's not a bad time either, my first 10k was about 90 mins 🥵 have gone on a bit further, but still pretty slow, i'm finding the extra km's after 10k, feel easier than 5-10k, so i'm sure you'll get to that HM! 💪💪

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thank you. I read my C25K posts again and one thing that shines through is the struggle. Much of that is due to my faulty breathing but it’s been a struggle from start to finish, so I feel extra proud of what I’ve achieved. I think 5-10K felt easier than C25K and I’m not surprised to hear you say that beyond 10K seems easier too. I’m looking forward to it. Good luck with your running.

[Pooped77]

Amazing congratulations 🎉🍾🎊

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Pooped77]

Thank you!

[Scottie1000]

Well done you! You are an inspiration. I'm on Week 7 and looking forward to my first 30 minute run.

[Dodgylungs Graduate10 in reply to Scottie1000]

Thank you and Congratulations on getting to Week 7. That’s a major achievement.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Oh Wow! How did I miss this?!? 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Absolutely 100% flippin’ well done! 👏🏻👍🙌🏼🥳

Summer and C25k seem so long ago...and now here you are with a nifty new shiny badge 🔟🌟

Good luck with your HM, and look after that hamstring!

Happy, happy running 🏃🏽‍♂️