Training for an 8.5 k event in mid December

[swissfish]

Last week I wrote that I'd had a bit of a break over my holiday, but now I am back, trying to get ready for an event I've signed up to.

On Sunday morning I ran my usual 5k route, and yesterday I ran just over 6k. I am planning to run at least twice per week but not sure if I should consolidate on slightly shorter runs, or if I should continue running 9 or 10k as a build up. My reasoning is that if I run the shorter distances, that would build a solid "foundation" for my running so hopefully adding a couple of k more shouldn't be a major problem.

I know I can do 10k but I still feel daunted by the distance.

Any tips or advice welcome - thank you in advance. I'll keep posting on my progress!

John

[Hidden]

I would suggest to try to go for 3 runs a week, having 1 easy run, 1 speedrun (eg. fartleks) and 1 long run. But I know how life can be. My goal is 3 runs a week, but life intervenes more often than not and I often have weeks of 2 runs. With me it is always 5K on a weekday and 10K in the weekend. I love the distance of 10K, so I always want to do this and in the weekend I can always fit in a run.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, my thoughts too. With only about 6 weeks to the event, possibly you need three runs per week.

Do you know the course? If there’s steep hills, you could do some hill training too. Otherwise what BlackScorpion suggests. 🙂

[swissfish Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

Thank you Ian. It's a city centre course, so it's relatively flat. I already do some hill training - you can't avoid hills here in Switzerland 😀

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to swissfish]

I noticed that on your bio. 🙂

[swissfish Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Evy - I need to check what a fartlek is... I'll try to do a 9 or 10k at the weekend.

[dijep Graduate10]

What a brilliant post Roxdog. I'm so glad all the aches and pains eased so you could get on with a wonderful early morning run there's nothing better it's there ☺️

[SkiMonday Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Hi dijep. I think you answered the wrong question! 😎

[dijep Graduate10 in reply to SkiMonday]

😂😂😂😂

[SkiMonday Graduate10]

I would have thought that a few long runs of at least 7K would be useful training. Personally, I’d include 9 & 10K runs but it could be argued that’s a bit overkill. Definitely include short, easy runs in the mix!

It might be worthwhile taking a look at some online training plans. If you find one that suits you, you could follow it or you could just use them as a guide to the kind of runs that will prepare you.

[SkiMonday Graduate10]

Also... Have a great race!

[Rennur Graduate10]

One question: why 8.5K? Sounds intriguing!!!

[swissfish Graduate10 in reply to Rennur]

I can only answer that it's 8.5 k because that's how it is

Have a look at silvesterlauf.ch/anmeldung/... - I am doing the "Volkslauf"

[Rennur Graduate10 in reply to swissfish]

Ach in Zueri. Gruezi .I saw a funrun in Germany where I stayed as a student in the 80s and it is 11.5K or something. Ironic that in the UK it has to be 5K or 10K or nothing, but in the German-speaking world they are very laissez faire.....

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

If you can already do 10k without too much effort I wouldn't worry too much, just do what fits with your schedule and allows you to enjoy yourself without building up too much pressure.

If you want to attempt a fast time then shorter, faster runs will definitely help. If you want to be sure of your stamina build in a couple of 10ks beforehand to give yourself that confidence boost. It really depends on what you're aiming to achieve 👍🏻

[swissfish Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I've done 10k only once - and I wouldn't say it was "without too much effort" lol.

But I've done 9k a couple of times and yesterday I ran 8.9k so I'm fairly sure I'll manage the distance OK. I intend to run 9 or 10k each Sunday until the event.

I understand that in these events you get some extra energy from running in a crowd as opposed to running alone, so that should also help me!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to swissfish]

That's what "they" say! I'm sure the energy and vibe will help. I don't do events, I just do distance for distance sake 👍🏻🤣