OK... Decision made... 10k tactics needed urgently please!

[blondie1912]

So, first of all, I failed miserably at sticking to C25K. Then I got back on the wagon, only to fall back off it, choosing beer and wine over running in The Lakes last week (oops... Old habits really do die hard!),

After a long, drawn out, tedious and frankly quite hideous process, I was finally served with my redundancy notice on Monday, so I am now a full-time job hunter. I think if I don't even have a go at this 10k on Sunday, I'll feel really rubbish about myself - and that's something I really don't need right now. So I'm going to give the 10k a bash.

So I grabbed the bull by the horns this morning, and took Laura out in the sunshine for a week 9 run. The furthest I'd got thus far was a week 8, at Easter, so I knew I may not manage it, but thought it's going to take me way longer than 30 minutes to do 10k, so I should try my luck at week 9. And I did it! I set off at a snail's pace, and kept that up for a full 30 minutes. I'm pretty sure I could've carried on, but want to give my poor pins a chance to recover before Sunday.

Here's my dilemma - how to tackle 10k? I'd love to run the whole thing, but feel that may be unrealistic. During my 30 minute run this morning, I covered either 3.88km (according to the sat nav MapMyRun app on my phone) or 4.07km (according to the MapMyRun website). So we'll call it 4km, for argument's sake.

Option 1 - I did briefly consider taking Laura with me and doing two Wk9 runs, but I think it would break my heart when she told me I could stop, but actually I had to do the same and more again!

Option 2 is to do myself the most inspiring playlist I can muster, and just run till I can't run any more, then play it by ear from there.

Option 3 is to do myself a playlist of fast songs, with a slow one every now and then for walking intervals.

Option 4? I haven't thought of one yet...

Any ideas, tips or advice would make a tired but determined (or should that be stubborn?...) girl very happy...

xxx

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Hey there is no harm in walking some of the 10k run, for example run 20 mins walk for 5 run 20 mins.

Just go for it.

[CaroleC Graduate]

Hi,

You could probably do it with ten min runs, 1 min walks, I've done this to do a ten miler and made it through! It's amazing what you can achieve just by building in that walk every ten mins.

As to listening to music, if this is 10k event is an event organised under the "proper race rules" then for Health & Safety's sake, you probably won't be allowed to have a music player. I have entered three events since graduating and have not been able to have music at any of them. Just letting you know. It is for your own health and safety as many of these races are on roads with no pavements, and if the road hasn't been specifically closed off for the race then you are at risk from cars!!

Good luck with whatever you decide. Just go easy!

CaroleC

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

Id say intervals of running and walking are the way forward for you. The bridge to 10k app has the intervals and they vary from 10min run 1 minute walk, right upto 2 x 30 minute runs with a walk inbetween. You could pick which ever you thought you were most likely to be able to achieve.

Good luck and let us know how you get through it

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Good luck which ever time option you chose.

[sfb350 Graduate]

Intervals sound like the best plan to me - and don't feel you can't adjust the plan after you've started. I think I would try 10min jog, 1 min walk, as Carole suggests. Start slowly so you've got a better chance of maintaining your pace. If you have energy to spare near the end, you can always speed up a bit to finish !

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[blondie1912]

Aah thanks everyone! It looks like intervals are the way forward, and it certainly sounds sensible!

Thank you for all your kind words of encouragement, and I'll let you know how it goes! (I excpect to be more than a little achy on Monday...)

Thanks again,

Blondie :o) xx

[henrietta Graduate]

Congratulations on just deciding to do the 10k, you seem determined to finish it whatever. If its your first race i suggest start off slow and dont think about it too much, i think the occasion will take you along, and you may find yourself a running partner who will help drive you along (unfortunately not literally).

I read a report once that stated HR Managers have a list of how to analyse peoples hobbies on job application forms and running was very high up on the positive scale, due to how hard it is to achieve in terms of motivation, determination and pure graft. So definitely keep the running up and its sure to impress, especially if the interviewer is a runner themselves.

Good luck for the run