My local 10k is tomorrow. You may have noticed that I've been faffing around for the last year or so, determined to run 10k but it has never happened.
A few days ago, an old work colleague (who I bumped into a few months back while she was enjoying a glass of wine at a local waterfront pub) tagged me on Facebook to say she was going to be running the local 10k tomorrow and thanking me for suggesting this. I'd told her I was going to do it but then hot weather, travel, covid etc happened. This meant that I took a very reasoned and rational decision that I wouldn't run the 10k tomorrow, that it could wait until 'I've done a bit more training'.
Well, this afternoon I had an overwhelming blast of positivity. I've been running for around 18 months now. The longest run I've done recently was 6 or 7 km but I still had energy at the end. I ran 8km earlier in the year when I was on the NRC HM plan, and only chickened out of the next week's run, which was 10k, because I decided I didn't want to do HM distance. Daft. So I've signed up for the run tomorrow. My plan is to do the first couple of km very slowly, not much more than walking pace, to warm up. Garmin PacePro suggests knocking 9 or 10 seconds off my pace with each km so I'm aiming for that. If this approach works I should complete the 10km in just under 1 1/2 hours.
If I don't finish at least I'll have tried, and I'll learn something. But what I am visualising is crossing the finish line a bit less than 90 minutes after I started.
I'll let you know how it goes. It's nearly 11pm and I should probably get a good nights sleep but I'm a bit excited
Written by
Yesletsgo
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
you might just surprise yourself and finish quicker than anticipated, as race day adrenaline carries you along. Sights, sounds and fresh scenery prove to be a good distraction and the time flies 🙂
I wouldn't pay much attention to what Garmin Pace Pro says though, I'd run as you feel comfortable. Yes, it would be ideal to quicken your pace throughout the race, negative splits, blah blah, but you need pretty consistent terrain and elevation change for that. If the first half of the route is on flat tarmac and the second half on undulating gravel paths, Garmin's pacing suggestion will be irrelevant and unhelpful.
Thanks Cmoi . The first bit is tarmac, down the high street and then to a country road. From there it goes to the fields where I do most of my running. Once I get onto my 'home ground' I'm hoping to pretend I've just started and carry on from there.
I'm going to use the Garmin to remind me not to overdo it for the first few km but will be guided by effort.
What great news YLG! You’ll have a wonderful time no matter what time you finish in. Smart move starting off slowly, as it’s all too easy to get carried away at a race and get pulled along by the gazelles. Go at a comfortable pace and let your legs carry you. Visualise the finish line and, most importantly, the precious bling, and enjoy!
Remember to tell us all about it! Good luck. 🍀🏃♀️🏅
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Misty the cat did not want to run with me 🤣🐱🤣
Always be training?! Sending Coach Garmin on leave.
Good luck to Turnturtle and Poppypug
Can’t believe my luck. 😢
