How to get back to 10K?

I haven't run anything like a 10k since my rfl on 22nd June. I seem to have found myself in a bit of rut - Im running 5/6k regularly, but it has just been too hot or time demands too great to get out there for an hour or more.

Now that the weather has cooled slightly, I'm tempted to try to push the distance again. Can I just go out and blast the 10k as I have already previously trained for that distance, or, will I need to increase my distance gradually again as before? Opinions gratefully received

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I hadn't done a 10K since last year and got a bit fed up with 5-6K runs, so just filled a water bottle and set off early one lovely day. I had a ball, 10K no problems and only a couple of minutes slower than last years. So long as you have been running regular good distances I can see no reason why you shouldn't go for it, listen to your body. Try and do it on a cooler day or early morning before it gets too hot and plenty of stretching afterwards. You may need an extra day to recover, but thats a small price to pay for a really good run in my opinion. Let us know how you get on and good luck.

[OldNed Graduate]

Yes you can (just blast through to 10K). I've been in a similar position for most of July, running around 5 or 6K, and blasted a 10K in exactly an hour this very afternoon. No adverse impacts are apparent (yet!).

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Thank you for this - going to try to fit it in before the end of the week.