Can I train for a 10k in 5 weeks?

[KristinaM]

A friend has asked me to run a10k with her , but its only 5 weeks away. Is this madness? I dont want to injure myself. All the training programmes i have looked at online are about 10 or 12 weeks long

I started running abut 6 months ago. I run about 3-4 times a week , but only short distances, about 5-7k

What do you advise?

[sailorsgal]

If you hadn't run before I would say it was madness but as you run between 5-7km already I think you could do it easily. Just have one longer run in the week.

[feetheart]

I would say yes, if you are doing up to 7k already, even if only once a week, then you haven't that far to go.
Just up it a bit for the next 4 weeks and go for it.
Most training programmes don't take you up to the full distance before a race - I did a half-marathon one and the longest run I did was 10miles.

Good luck

[Sleepwhenidie]

Definitely possible to increase from 5-7k to 10k in 5 weeks..just increase your distance by 1k per week, that's probably only 6-7 mins more each time?

[QED]

Given that you're doing 5-7k I'd think you'll be fine. When I have done 10k races I've only actually run as far as 10k maybe once or twice before the race and have been fine. What so of 10k is it and how fast is your friend likely to complete it in (I've only done charity ones where although some people are very fast, not everyone is).

[beatenbyayellowteacup]

No problem.

[KristinaM]

Thanks everyone, thats very encouraging. Its a huge race, over 12, 000 women! here.When you enter They ask for your target time so they can group you. My friend is younger, fitter and faster so she might end up running with another group amyway,or she will have to hang back with the old gimmers.

All ive done is a few parkruns where its about 300 people so i cant imagine running with 12,000! Everyone goes on about what a great experince it is.

I know i could go out today and run/jog somehow for 10k but id like to train properly and get a reasonabel time IYSWIM. And i wasnt sure if that was possible in such a short time

[shockers]

I have nothing to offer in the way of advice, being allergic to any speed faster than a purposeful mooch... but good luck!

[sailorsgal]

As its your first 10k I would just aim to get round. Running in a large group will probably spur you on and you may be surprised how fast you go.

I did a 10km in approx 42mins but was 25 at the time.

[KristinaM]

Thanks shockers

Sailorsgal -im well impressed by your 42 mins! However i think ill be aiming for a rathermore modest 55-60 mins with the old dears at the back. At the park run i get beaten by loads of pensionners, people with dogs and small children......

[KristinaM]

Thanks all. I have printed off my training programme from runbritain so am all set and scheduled for a lomg easy run tonight

I was reassuerd to see that i dont have to run 10k 4times a week!

[QED]

I did a 10k in just over an hour and I was definitely not at the back :) Wish it had been just under an hour though - maybe one day I will have another go.....

[KristinaM]

Pop on a train and run with us QED

[QED]

Would definitely mean you wouldnt be last . Last 10k I did was in August 2010 and havent really run since. Will try and motivate myself to do something some time - at least there are park runs where I live now (think they started at the beginning of this year) so might be a way to motivate myself a bit,

[KristinaM]

Ah, you spotted my cunning plan < evil cackle>

[Kristina2]

Hi everyone, just reporting back aftre first 10k this monring

Although i only had 4 weeks to train and nit 5 ( because i cant count) i followedthe programme dutifully and it went ok

I followed the 50min pace runner most of the way but lost her near the fininsh so im guessimg i ran about 51 mins. So well within my target zone of 50-55, which is my 5k pace. So im pleased

Thanks for all the advice

[giraffesCantGoPotholing]

well done - was horrid weather, i was there today watching!!

[Kristina2]

How nice of you to come out and support us! Did you have a friend running ir are you just a v kind person?

[Kristina2]

Oooh forgot to say, results out now, ran 51:08