10k next year

[adnewg73]

Hi All, Happy New Year (although it may be a bit late now)

Anyway, I'm planning to do a 10k next year (March 2025), so have given myself time to get up to 10k. I ran a 6k over the Christmas period, when I was off work and could go during daylight and the last 1k was a real killer, but I did it.

I think it helped running outside, as I managed to get a PB and a 1st in my age category, in the parkrun last week (first one of the year).

A quick question, when I finish work at 5pm it's very dark, damp and cold. I have been running on a treadmill at home, but it's not the same as a road run. My question is will I still be able to improve my 5k time and endurance eventually getting to the 10k, by running on a treadmill and only once a week on a road (parkrun), while it's dark and horrible after work. Once the clocks go forward, I'll be back out road running 3 times a week.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Well done to you adnewg73 on running that 6K over the Christmas period, certainly you have plenty of time to train for a 10K in March 2025, congratulations on running a PB at parkrun.You will certainly be able to improve your 5K time and endurance well before you run that 10K next year, take all the runs slowly and gradually increase the distance by running 3 times a week, good 🤞 luck. 👍 🏃🏾

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10]

My daughter in law trained for a half marathon on a treadmill because she didn't feel safe running outside in the dark. Treadmill training is real training!

Once things brighten up outside you'll be fine.

Are you following a 10k training plan? Some of us on here are doing the Nike Running Club (NRC) 10k plan which is on their app, it's got lots of variety and food for thought as well as the training.

Good luck!

[adnewg73 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks Yesletsgo, I did a guided treadmill run on the NRC app yesterday, but my treadmill is just a basic one, so doesn't have any incline on it. I got up to 9.5kph running, which was I thought very fast - I ended up nodding off in front of the TV after my tea later, so maybe it was the speed or the fact just the week back in work catching up 🤔

I'll have a look at the 10K training plan on the app, when I get home tonight. I usually run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and then swim on Wednesday and Sunday, so feel quite a lot fitter than I was 6 months ago, before I added in the running to my swimming.

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to adnewg73]

Son and daughter in law bought a Peloton for her training. It ended up as a very expensive clothes dryer once she'd done the HM (she says she is never, ever, running again 😂. They've now sold it. You're better off with a basic treadmill that you actually use!

And you are fast, I couldn't keep up that pace for any sustained period but then I'm an old granny 😂😂😂

[Rennur Graduate10]

You will be able to do one this Autumn if not before. You can practice by putting in a 12K (Or more!) now and again before next year. That will help psychologically.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Wow-congratulations on coming 1st in your parkrun category-that’s amazing!

You might like to have a look at the magic plan.., there’s a version to get to 10k running twice a week

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Treadmill running absolutely counts as real running. I assume you’ll still be running when you’re on it?! Some runners get really snotty about treadmills and it’s unjustified. If you follow elite runners on Instagram, you’ll see loads of them using treadmills. Do what works for you!

Good luck and let us know how you get on!