Just did my first 10k

[Spanners15]

Wasn't planning on it but it just happened!

I finished C25K 2 months ago and since then have just been doing the 3 consolidation runs regularly.

When I first did the 40 min endurance one I went a bit longer so I could reach 6k (my current 5k time is just over 32 mins so 6k took me longer than the 40 mins Steve was willing to run for so had to pause him).

Then the next time I did the endurance one I was feeling oddly good so just kept going, and made it to 8k.

Then this week I did similar and the sunshine on a cold winter's day seemed like ideal running weather, so I just kept going and got to 10k in 1h 10m.

I know it's not the proper way to do it and I don't recommend it as I'm certainly no expert, but it feels like an amazing achievement right now - 7 months ago I weighed 5 stone more than I do now, and found out I had T2 diabetes, and at 54 years old had never run in my life. What a very odd year!

Anyway, respect to all of you who are doing this at whatever pace you're doing and however you're getting through it. It's life changing every time you make the next bit of progress.

Good luck all - it's worth every step!

[fedupoffeelingtired]

well done! That’s how I did my first 10k and I really enjoyed it. It felt amazing.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Absolutely fantastic  Spanners15 ! It’s a massive achievement. You deserve to be really proud of yourself.

With my admin hat on, I’ll just say to take care about how quickly you increase your run time-that is a risk for injury and you don’t want that. I think most of us have got carried away before though! I definitely have.

Have you thought about how you’ll continue from here? Celebration is obviously most important!!

If you’d like a virtual badge for 10k, drop a reply on the post linked here…

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

[Spanners15 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you Miss understanding. Totally agree with you that I was silly to get carried away - certainly that's what my legs are telling me this morning 🤣

As for next steps I think I will try to consolidate this for a while to try to make sure I don't get injured. After that, who knows - maybe enter some organised 5 and 10ks or Parkruns. Probably a bit early to be thinking about a half marathon, but you never know!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Spanners15]

That sounds like a great plan! If you haven’t discovered the Fun Beyond 10k and Race Support board. I’d definitely recommend a browse around there. Loads of inspiration for events and helpful advice there!

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

I am probably a bad example, but I signed up for a 10k race before I’d finished couch to 5k and I’d booked a half marathon before I ran my 10k!! I find having something in the diary really helps me mentally. Case in point-I did a miserable 30 minutes this morning so I know I’m on track for a race on April! Give yourself enough time to prepare, and also think about getting some strength alongside the runs to help stay injury free (that’s the biggest thing that helps me run well) and you absolutely could take on the HM distance.

Have fun dreaming about what’s next while enjoying where you are now!

[Mudita11 Graduate10]

Lovely post. That’s pretty fast for a first 10k! Well done 😃