magic plan advice please

[SillyGilly9]

 graduated in the summer aged 68 at which stage I was just happy to keep up with the status quo but I found myself going onto the magic plan I have managed a very slow 8k at 1 hour 15 mins and wonder whether I should carry on to 10k which at this slow pace or consolidate I have enjoyed a couple of park runs as well and feel so much better in myself given my age and and lack of previous running and hope that I will be able to carry on in the winter months

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You aren’t much older than me, I did the magic plan then one day ran 10k and it took 1 hour 45 mins, and I’ve run that distance a few times since but not often, just do what you feel like and if the weather is awful put it off til the next day but don’t put it off too many days or you won’t go 😂

[nowster Graduate]

You've done 8km. My first run at that distance took me about an hour (with an injured knee). I can't see why you ought to stop, but if you want to consolidate there's no pressure to do anything longer.

The only suggestion I'd make is not to keep doing the same run on the same route over and over again. Variation will stop you from getting bored.

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

Do what you enjoy doing. There are no shoulds or musts. If you get a sense of achievement doing a slow 10km, then do so. But it sounds like you’re happier at Parkrun as are thousands of people.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

What do you want to do? You could keep increasing your long run to hit 10k. It will probably add an extra twenty minutes or so to get there. You could stick at 1hr15 minutes which is still an absolutely fantastic achievement. You could even start doing shorter runs if that’s what you’d prefer. You’re the runner. You’re the boss!

I’ve got every confidence that you can reach that 10k if you wanted to, but there’s absolutely no reason to carry on for longer and longer unless that’s how you want to run. Don’t let any pressure you’re putting on yourself to reach an arbitrary target such the joy out of your running.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. ❤️

[hamit Graduate]

Ah....relax the time is not a problem. Just slow up and do the 10k and enjoy it. 10k is a big..I Done it!! so don't worry about time. You got to remember that any running at 60 Plus its mind over matter so get your head straight and do what you want to do. Personal experience at 75 is when my head is in the right place and my body cooperates I can manage a 10k and come homewith a smile on my face. So Rock On and remember ..Time is Relative and is only a problem if you want it to be. Good luck with any distance you want to do.

[SillyGilly9 Graduate]

Thanks for the advice - seems to be a theme .. just enjoy

[Rungranny Graduate]

If you want to get to 10k at some stage , you could mix it up a bit for now. Do a shorter 4k over a slightly hilly route , then a 5k , then your long slow run of 8k. Variety will keep you interested and challenging and the pace and distance will also if you want it.