Bridge to 10km nearly there…

[LindySearle]

Tomorrow is run 2 of week 8, so that’s 5km and then Wednesday I’m running the final run of 10 km. I’m confident I will finish now, although my work this week is a bit of a juggle and threatening to throw me off schedule. I will check in here after Wednesday to let you know and hopefully request my badge!

But I also have a question. What do I do next? What is the consolidation advice? I don’t, particularly, have any targets regarding speed or increasing distance. Perhaps the only target is that I’d like to be strong and fit enough enough to run more than three times a week and therefore run more Kilometres per week., injury free.

Be in touch soon.

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi  LindySearle , you don't need to consolidate 10k in the same way as is advised post C25K, i.e. run it over and over again. It's preferable to mix up your running, similarly to the way the Magic Plan works.

Nor is there any obligation to run further, or faster, or more often, unless you want to. In any case daily running isn't advised until you've been running for at least six months, or preferably a year. People do respond differently though - I've been running for three years and find I do much better with more rest days rather than attempting to run more frequently. Even when marathon training I found four days a week plenty!

There are lots of options for exploring running, whether it's taking part in parkrun, joining a running club, using audio runs such as Nike Run Club, entering competitive events, etc. Personally I don't do any of those - I like running hilly forest trails, solo.

Take your time to find what works for you. Happy running!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Awesome, so close to 10k a magic distance, where to go from there? Just keep running, short ones, long ones and enjoy that you can, I'm quite unstructured so run by feel, when I go out I have an idea of how far I'd like to go but if it's a slog I cut it shorter and if it's going well I keep going. I have been following a half marathon plan but then felt I needed a longer run so that's what I did. You are amazing though for keeping going when so many don't

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Well done and it's great you're confident to do that 10k! When I first ran a 10k, I found it tough, so ran shorter runs and then did another 10k a while later. Once I'd run a few 10ks I gradually increased my distance by doing a longer run every 10 days or so. So not an actual plan, I just naturally ran further. It's not compulsory!Enjoy your runs!

[LindySearle Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you and your right about enjoyment it’s the foundation and the driver to how I’ve progressed and I guess that will take me forward but also ‘hold me’ because I’m certain now I want running to be a part of my life as long as I can, so staying injury free and enjoying it are my goals not speed or distance.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LindySearle]

Perfect... simply running for pure joy!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Good luck on Wednesday - that first 10k feels so special!😊💪

I would say that where you go next is entirely up to! I agree with Roxdog that enjoyment is so important, so spend some time working out what you want from your running …and then feel free to change your mind! 🤣 For me, consistency is key and I enjoy a mixture of road and trail. Sometimes I build my distance up for a particular event but my favourite routine is two shorter runs of around 5K and then a longer run at the weekend. Like you, running is now very much part of my life and my main aim is just to keep on getting out there! 🙂🏃‍♀️

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

You’ve made such great progress! You really deserve to go out and enjoy that 10k- I’ll be virtually cheering you on! Can’t wait to hear the run report.

As for what next? Run for fun. Just enjoy yourself! You’ve had some great suggestions already. Perhaps it might be fun to think if there any dream local routes you’d like to run and tick them off.

Running more than three times a week isn’t really down to fitness-it’s experience. You’ll ideally want to keep your rest day after each run until you’ve been running at least six months to minimise your risk of getting injured. Building in strength and flex work is a great thing to think about building in now which will also help keep you off the injury couch.

Really good luck for Wednesday! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️