Next...?

[sheps]

I am hoping to get some thoughts and advice about my future plans.

Having taken a good 7 months to complete the C25K plan that included a lot of consolidation runs, I graduated yesterday. Looking around for something to keep me motivated, my sister in law - a HM and M runner - suggested a 10K in late Sept.

I have found this programme that might help me towards this distance:

verywell.com/beginner-runne...

Has anyone done it?

I know it's a big ask and I will be ready to back off at any point in the schedule or the race if anything seems wrong but I wonder if I am mad to give it a first thought, let alone a second.

Given that I am already running well over 2miles and that I ran 5K last weekend I would start at around week 3.

Any comments will be much appreciated.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Hello! I noticed you are a similar age to me, 60+ . Based on that and your C25K journey i think this is a really big ask. I know we are all different but consolidating your 5k for a few weeks should be your priority. After that you should be extending one run a week by no more than 10% (every couple of weeks if your body needs to take it more slowly). So end Sept is pushing it in my opinion. If you push too hard you may end up on the injury couch and not be able to run for a while, which isnt a good place to be.

Is there something for early next year you could perhaps aim for instead?

[sheps Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Would you say this given my very long and slow and steady progress through the C25K, Jan. Apart from a 3 week break in February, I have been running twice or three times a week since January.

[sheps Graduate in reply to sheps]

Sorry, that doesn't read quite as I meant it to - I was writing on phone and went for brevity rather than clarity.

I totally hear what you are saying - age has to be a factor. I just wondered whether you would think that I might have done some of the stamina/stength work already.

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to sheps]

If you have been running a constant 5k for a few weeks already and are comfortable with that distance you have a good start. So work out how many weeks you have until the event, how much you can increase by per week following the 10% rule, and what distance that gets you to by Sept, assuming no niggles or set backs. Every one is different so it is your choice. If you are comfortable with the increase each week go for it, but please take very good care of your body. Stretch, strengthen and maybe invest in a foam Roller. The main thing is to listen to your body at all times. Good luck runner!

[sheps Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you to jacs and misswobble. I will most definitely take your advice on board. I'll listen to what you say and absolutely listen to what my body tells me. I don't have to commit yet - I'll just see how it goes. I am expecting to have to walk a bit anyway which matters not a jot as far as I am concerned.