post-10K suggestions?

[Leotigris]

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best way to consolidate after achieving 10K? Is it best to continue the last week of the magic plan for a while?

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi @Leotigris, you don't really need to consolidate 10k in the same way that's advised for C25K. You can carry on doing the final week of the Magic Plan if you want, but it's definitely not an obligation, it's your choice.

You're in a position now to decide what you want from your running. You can increase distance if you'd like, work on speed, do parkrun, follow training plans, enter events, or absolutely none of those, just go out and run as you like. Find what motivates you and the sort of running you enjoy, and do that.

Personally I hate training, and don't do parkrun or events. Fixed targets put me under too much pressure; I far prefer messing about on trails and running hills and longer distances.

Have fun!

[Leotigris Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks Cmoi!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

I would have found running 10k every week a bit much. When I finished the magic plan, I dropped back to doing a short run, a 30 minute and a “longer” run a week which was usually 6-8k until I did a 10k race. After that I started a half marathon training program for a specific date. Because I had loads of time to go, the long runs of that started from 5k and built up gradually in the same way that the magic plan did. I really like the Nike Run Club app (which I’m sure I rave on about far too much!). That’s got all sorts of guided runs and programmes if you like a bit of structure or company on your runs.

I think the most important thing is to just keep running regularly in a way that you enjoy. You’ve done brilliantly to get where you are. It’s up to you!

[Leotigris Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks MissUnderstanding!

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

What I appreciate about your raving on about NRC MissUnderstanding is that while you clearly find it works really well for you, you never try to impose it upon people. 😁

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Phew! I think with a lot of these apps/training programmes, they’ll all essentially get you to the same place but it’s very personal taste about what you like. I can absolutely see how some people find NRC an absolute cheese fest with far too much talking and bad jokes. Luckily that’s just right for me! Just recently (before I fell over) I’ve been running with talking podcasts which I’ve never enjoyed before but was really liking this time around. Different things fit at different stages. I’ll be glad to pick that up again. There’s also something lovely about just going out with an analogue watch and no gps pace recording tech. When my Fitbit broke I thought I’d be lost but it was really freeing!

[CBDB Graduate10]

I am someone who loves following a plan. Fortunately I also love the process of planning, so I made myself a 5-week consolidation plan for after graduating to the 10k distance.

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

So if you are someone who likes a good plan, you could sit down and think about what you still want to explore as a runner and then devise your own plan. You might want to explore different running apps, different audio experiences, different routes, different training plans, different cross training challenges, etc.

Another example from me is my exploration of different 10k running routes.

See healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Hope you find something that fits you!

Above all, have fun running!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

As you can see , the options are many !You certainly do not need to run 10k every week .

I remember after my first one I said never again! 😂

Then did another about 3 weeks later , I then started to enjoy the distance but I mixed my runs up , some longer some shorter and some quicker ..

Just enjoy yourself.

I will say however that I am also a fan of the NRC app , also the 'Zombies run' app for a bit of fun .

I personally enjoy the guided runs, others may not 😊

[Leotigris Graduate10]

Thanks CBDB and Instructor57, some great suggestions for me to think about

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

I’m another fan of NRC and the cheesy Coach Bennett, and I’ve done a zombie run occasionally. What about signing up for a challenge? Lots of companies do distance challenges where you can choose your distance and your time limit. There’s usually a T-shirt or medal when you finish. They can be a great motivator. I’m currently doing the 12 days of Christmas with the ‘great run’ and I’ve also run 50k in a month with ‘This girl runs’ and have run virtually Hadrian’s Wall with Conqueror. I’ve got quite a few T-shirts and medals now. I like a bit of running bling 🏅

[Mrsmuppet Graduate10]

Hi Leotigris,

depends really on what you fancy doing. Any more personal goals you fancy achieving? I signed up for a 10 mile after completing bridge to 10k as my goal. I’ve been gradually increasing my mileage and now can trust my little legs to take good care of me and cover the distance I fancy ( within reason 😉) Let us know what you fancy doing, or maybe your legs will just lead you somewhere?!