Bit the bullet and headed out for my first ever 10k!

[Jenner78]

I have been increasing my distances gradually since I graduated 4 weeks ago and today I headed out for my first ever 10k.

I have been running a couple of 4 and 5 mile runs each week and both my running partner/hubby and running club have told me I'm ready to go for the 10k but I have been apprehensive to go for it. But not today

The weather on the south coast is much like the rest of the UK wet, windy and water logged and today was no different but as I got my running things on I just accepted that it was going to be a wet and blowy run but it was ok because once I get back home I can have a long soak in a hot bubbly bath before the kids get home from school. It's half term next week so I know things would have kept cropping up and getting in the way if I put it off so I went for it.

I got caught a couple of times when crossing the road but I arrived back home in 1 hour and 3 minutes which I am over the moon about! It has given me such a boost to my running confidence, such an unbelievable feeling. I feel fantastic, it has to be one of the best valentines present ever

[Rockette]

Fantastic well done . You must be extremely proud to have come so far . Great pic

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to Rockette]

Thank you Rockette. I feel amazing, it's such a nice feeling to see and feel the changes to my running ability. This plan set me up so well and my running is going from strength to strength.

[danzargo Graduate]

That. Is. In-cred-ible!! Well done JennyJenJen. I am soooo impressed. I've been trying to get to the 10K distance but can't seem to get past 7 at the moment. But really well done and HAppy Valentines Day!

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to danzargo]

Thanks Dan. Happy valentines to you too.

[turnturtle Graduate]

That is so good JenJen. You have progressed much further than me since graduating. I can't seem to get in to the bridge to 10K thing but I have enrolled in a local running club 5-10K course when I get back to the UK in April and hope that will do it. When did you join your running club and does it help? I 'm looking forward to it but also afraid I'll be discouraged by always being the tail-end Charlie.

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to turnturtle]

I joined my running club about 6 weeks ago. It's such a nice group and no matter what your pace they have someone that will run with you. A lot of the marathon runners aren't bothered about speed but more getting miles under their belt and are great as running partners because they have a wealth of information that they are happy to share. I started increasing mileage, starting at 3 miles and adding half a mile every week and trying to get one or two longer runs in. It soon built up, plus like the c25k plan because it was a small increase mentally I just kept telling myself that I could do it.

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to Jenner78]

I think that's what my course is going to do. In the meantime I have sort of got hooked on increasing my speed. I want to reach the magic 60 per cent age-grade score if I can before I go beyond 5K. Don't know why really. It's just a fixation I have. Well, it's 7.30 am here and the sky is blue and the seagulls are crying. Time to gird my loins and head out around the estuary!

[turnturtle Graduate]

5K in 37.85. I cracked the magic 38 minutes! I guess those painful hill runs around the farm have finally paid off...

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to turnturtle]

Thats a brilliant time. Well done Turnturtle.

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to Jenner78]

Thanks Jen.

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done Jen!

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thank you

[ChrisL Graduate]

Wow. 10k in 63mins only 4 weeks after graduating. That sounds pretty impressive to me. How fit were you when you started C25K? And what was your 5k time at graduation? I ask because I am trying to work out if a 25min 5k is realistic for me at the end of C25K.

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to ChrisL]

I couldn't even run for a minute when I started Chris. My 5k time at graduation was 30.23, and I've got it down to 29.17 but to be fair I haven't really focused on speed for me it's been about endurance and distance. I've found as I've increased my distance my 5k speed has become quicker too.

[ChrisL Graduate in reply to Jenner78]

Gosh. Well done you. And what an excellent recommendation for the C25K programme. Are you following another programme to 10K?

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to ChrisL]

I did start to follow one but I began to get disheartened but the lack of progress I was making so decided to follow my running clubs advice and I have just listened to my body and it seems to have worked

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Thats a fab picture and what a great time too... I hope you had a fantastic evening celebrating? Well done!!!!

[Jenner78 Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks Juicyju, I had a lovely evening

[no-excuse Graduate]

Wow that is fantastic! and I love the pic. I see from your reply to ChrisL that you couldn't run a minute when you started. That is such an achievement and makes me believe that one day I will be able to do that.

[nextjenn Graduate]

Fantastic! Good photo too! I can only dream of both a 10k and a time like that lovely post!