I've started the Magic Plan!

[swissfish]

Yesterday I did my first run following the Magic Plan. I decided to follow the distance option and began at week 2, as I have been regularly running 6k for the last few weeks (only 1 run per week).

So I found a 3k route and off I went - my logic told me that as it was a shorter distance I should try to run slightly faster than usual. That was OK for the first couple of km as the first part of my route was downhill - but when it came to the final 400m (back up the hill) I was slower than I had been after my previous 6k run

So my question is, was I right to try running faster? I'm planning my next run tomorrow, which will be a 5k run. I think I'll stick to my usual, slightly slower pace.

I'll keep you all posted on progress - 10k still seems a daunting distance to run, but I am hopeful and determined!

John

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done on starting the plan 👍It is quite common to make the shorter runs a little faster , it's good to vary your pace as well as the distance then keep the longer runs slower !

I tend to have 3 different paces depending on the length of run 😁

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Well done starting the plan. If you’ve been doing only 1 run a week and are now moving to 3 I’d recommend not trying to go faster. I opted to keep my normal speed for the short runs and slow down for the longer runs at least until you get used to the increase in distance. Happy running 🤗

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi swissfish , I agree with Instructor57 and Grannyhugs : varying your pace depending on the distance you're running is a good idea, and instead of speeding up for short runs, do those at your usual pace and slow down for the longer runs.

Enjoy the Magic Plan - it's a great way to get to 10k!

[Hidden]

If you run 1 time a week, I think it is normal that a run feels heavier. For longer runs I'd slow down a bit, makes your body conserve energy a bit.

10K sound daunting, but when you reach it, you'll see it is 'just' another distance. Only reached it 1 time before, but that is because I had some life popping in between running. Building up again to 10K now and hope to reach it soon again!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Well done on starting the magic plan! 👏👏👏 I absolutely loved it and it helped me rediscover the joy of running. I know what you mean about 10k feeling daunting but you'll get there before you realise. I used to feel like it was out of my reach and guess what, I did it, I enjoyed the journey and I'm now training for a half marathon! All the plans I've seen for longer distances include a shorter faster run, a recovery run (medium distance) and a longer slower run. Try experimenting with different paces and types of run (intervals, hills, tempo) in the short runs, see what works for you. Like others have said, try to slow down for the long runs, that's the best advice I got when I started the magic plan. I also find guided runs on the Nike Run Club app quite useful to give me some structure if I'm doing intervals or longer runs. Good luck with your 10k journey, looking forward to reading more about it! 👍😃