Moving towards 10K

[mgrds]

So for many years now I had reckoned I could not run ! Used to run as a teenager but I had decided that now aged 64 my body didn't do running. I rarely ran for more than 30 seconds to catch a bus or main a connecting train. I did walk and and I liked walking in mountains so was not super unfit - but had deciding running was something i could no longer do. My knees and back gave my hassle and I had a load of metal work in my lower right leg Then last year I decided to give couch to 5K a go.

I started on the 5th August struggling with the short runs demanded. On the 4th October I had graduated - and achieved a 5K run !

Then I had a bit of a break due to needing a colonoscopy and getting a bit ill for while afterwards - and then i had problems with my calf muscle and or achilles tendon and catching up with work and christmas got in the way - but I kept up the occasional run - to my surprise I was almost always able to take up where I left off.

I've just got back to running 3 x a week - knees and achilles tendon not giving me the hassle they did

This weekend I ran a slow 8.4 K - and the 4 and 5K runs which were great achievements are starting to feel routine!

2 days after 8.4 K ran a 4K on a hilly route and pace miraculously improved.

Its nothing special - but this 64 year old person who thought he could not run anymore is very pleased with it !

So I went on line with google maps and found and out and return route I can do that is 10 K. Maybe it won't be that long before i can achieve it !

Using some sort of plan even if very flexible and just keeping running at least 30 mins 3x a week with one longer run at a slower pace really does work wonders. Even when set backs happen!

Hope my post encourages someone.

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate10]

What an amazing achievement for you. Go us oldies.👏👏👍

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10]

That is brilliant! You have been so determined, coming back to it and keeping on like that. I think that sort of persistence is key. Hope your health problems are behind you now. Onwards and upwards!

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Yes! This is so true. When I started C25K last May, my aim was to run 5K. My dream was to run in a Park Run. I started doing one longer run a week in August last year, mainly because I was running hard on every run and not getting anywhere with my pace. I wondered if I was too old to increase distance when I couldn’t even run for 4K in 30 minutes. 10K was an impossible thought.

So... one longer run on Saturdays and I was away. Soon got to 60 minutes, increasing gradually got to 75, 90 minutes and beyond. I was able to do this by slowing right down. The 10K just happened along the way and I set my sights on 10 miles - then in the middle of December, I ran for just over 3 hours and achieved a half marathon ! I didn’t follow a plan, just my own plan to increase gradually and do what I was capable of. Lots of help and encouragement from this forum.

My suggestion to you is for one of your runs, do a shorter, faster run, or intervals. I just ran for 3K this morning and it helps with my flexible plan to run another half marathon. Mix up your runs.

Oh, I’m 67 by the way.