What’s the next goal after 10k

[StringsandKeys]

I’m just about to do a 10k race at the end of March. Last year I pressured myself to do a HM too quickly and was very disappointed in my time finding the prep also really hard. Conversely this time I’m deliberately taking my time to be ready for the 10k following the NRC plan and I’m much happier. My question is what do I do when I’ve done the 10k race? Any ideas what the next goal could be. I’ve learnt I need a goal and structure to really get the most out of my running. Would love to hear other people’s experiences thank you

[Cmoi Graduate10]

This is probably wildly unhelpful StringsandKeys , but what would you like your next goal to be after your 10k race?

I'm race-averse and once I'd cracked 10k ( solo, on holiday) it was longer distances that appealed: 10 miles, then HM, then metric marathon, and then more interesting (= steeper, uneven, less predictable) terrain.

I completed a trail marathon event that had particular emotional resonance for me, and the experience was way more important than my actual time. I could've been a fair bit faster had I not accepted a handful of blackberries from a young lad and his little sister, chatted to the refreshment station volunteers, read all the names on a WW2 memorial, done airplane arms, jogged backwards (yes, seriously) to better take in the views, let the young Scout overfill my water bottle, walked and run with the much-more experienced runner who'd lost both her way and her confidence in the forest. I can tell you all that without a moment's pause, but I can't quote you my time!

I also have - whisper it - an ongoing goal of just being able to go out and run without stressing every single time about how fast, how far, how much vertical. There again, that won't meet your request for structure or a specific goal!

So if you want structure, perhaps pick an event (10 miles could be a good option if you'd like more than 10k but less than HM) that really appeals to you and do it because you want to run that event.

If you fancy another 10k or HM,but without the pressure to perform and achieve a particular time, maybe the HUHM virtual events appeal? See here: healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Hope this helps, my unconventional approach notwithstanding!

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

thank you. You sound like you’ve done loads and won on a lot of levels as well as times and medals but some impressive distances there! Yes you’re right I was thinking of a 10 miler race next or at least just reaching that distance. I’m someone who needs a goal to keep me interested and I love the training plans too. I’m just pleased to be enjoying running again as I’ve taken the pressure off and I’d like to keep that bit going. I’m not convinced about a virtual one but I could give it a go I guess I’ll definitely look. You sound amazing by the way !

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to StringsandKeys]

It's extremely kind of you to say that I sound amazing StringsandKeys , not least because I'm absolutely not. There are plenty of people on these forums who have achieved much more, in a host of different ways, than I have.

Most of the things that most runners enjoy and find helpful and motivating (training plans, audio-coached runs, races, parkrun...) have the opposite effect on me, so I choose not to do them. I'm very happy for others to enjoy them, and I'm not decrying those activites per se, they're simply not for me.

All I can suggest is that you identify what makes you happy in your running, both on a day-to-day basis and over the longer-term, and find ways to maximise that. Have fun!

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

sound advice thank you!

[Coddfish Graduate10]

you could go in a completely different direction and work on your 5k pace. That would involve interval runs and shorter runs, but quite a different approach. In general you can’t work on pace and distance together.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

thank you something to consider I have been to Park Run a few times and enjoy how it pushes me to do better

[nowster Graduate10]

There are two approaches: try to get faster or try to go longer.

Often, trying to for longer helps out the "go faster".

I only did a sub-hour 10km (without pushing for it) after I'd reached the ten mile distance.

Your next likely targets for distance might be 12km, 10 miles (16.1km), 20km, HM (21.1km), 25km, MM (26.2km).

I got to the MM distance once. I've done HM distance about 14 times now.

You can mix things up: do a long run on the day you can fit it in (for most of us this is at weekends) and maybe do run/jog intervals on one of your shorter runs, and then have an uncomplicated shorter run as the third run of the week.

Longer runs require more planning. Once I go past 90 minutes I have to make sure I take fluids and some food with me. If you're lucky you will adapt to fat burning once your glycogen is used up, but you do still need a bit of "easy" glucose for the brain.

Hopefully I'll get beyond the MM distance this year, perhaps 30km or further. I like doing really long runs, but I need to get my body used to them.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

wow very impressive! I tried to go sub one hour in my 10k a few years ago so realistically not sure quite a few years on I could do this however I can see how doing a 10 miler would help with it. Thanks for this I’m going to head for a 10 mile I reckon and meanwhile pick up a few more 10k races. HM I completely cocked that up last year time wise and readiness wise so will be a while before I go there again! I did one marathon in 1997 and that was it for me happy to chalk that up as a one off!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

It looks like you’ve settled on aiming for ten miles while sounds like a brilliant plan. You could continue using NRC if you wanted to-the HM plan is fantastic and you could take it as far as ten miles and see. If you’re enjoying the 10k plan, you’ll definitely like this one too.

I’m in a very similar place to you with an event coming up in three weeks and feeling lost about “what’s next”. I think it’s pretty common so we’re in good company. For me, probably will be working on a faster 5k and really pushing some strength work-I really fancy a change.

You’re also totally right… Cmoi is amazing!

Really good luck to you! ❤️💪🏃‍♀️

[StringsandKeys Graduate10]

thank you that’s great advice re building up to the 10 miles I’ll follow the NRC plan. For the half I followed my Garmin watch with Jeff nothing wrong with that but I like the cheery ‘come on you’ve got this’ of the NRC plan!