Entered a 10K - really don’t think I can do it

[MilkshakeMonkey]

I started doing HIIT with a personal trainer in September and have done really well! I like the idea of running and started C25k. So at the start of December I entered a 10K for the end of February. The week after I had a mental meltdown on a run and lost my confidence.
I have been for 2 short runs (like half a mile) since start of January and I find them so hard. Breathing and I’m slow.Am I seriously going to be able to run 10K in 8 weeks??? Every training plan I find is for longer. I would love to achieve the medal, it would be such an achievement. I just don’t see how???
Any MN help appreciated

Could you walk a bit and run a bit?

Firstly, you don't have to run the whole of that 10k, you could walk some. So let's face it, once you start that run you will get that medal.
Secondly, I find my runs much, much easier on these fun run type things as there are other people around, new route, plenty of distractions.
Third, 8 weeks is fine to get yourself somewhere near 10K, and then if you struggle you can just take breathers during the final run. If you have to run 7k and walk 3k, so what?
I got up from running 1k to 5k in a matter of weeks. I just ran as far as I could then just added a little bit on each day (never less). Aim for 1k extra each week and that will be 8k you know you can do before the race. I would recommend taking a day off before the race though so you have fresh legs.

Remember any run is better than no run, you are already beating those sat on the sofa or still in bed .
Plan with un one minute walk one minute.
A good plan to look at us Hal Higgins .
Like the poster above said - once you are in a situation surrounded by other people you will be spurred on.
Finally - enjoy it

It's completely doable and it won't matter if you run/walk. But your breathing needs sorting. Are you remembering to exhale as well as inhale? The 'meltdown' you described could have been linked to you partially hyperventilating. I'm a seasoned runner now but until my early twenties, didn't run at all. In fact, I hated it. I had to learn how to breathe. I'm a mouth breather- not great but there you go- and I run with water. Tiny sips is what gets me round. 5k is my favourite distance bud I've done many 10ks too. Is there a possibility of you doing a few 5k parks runs over the next few Saturday mornings to give to a positive experience and help you practice? Then you need to run a 6k then a 7k training run. You don't need to run more than 8k before the big day- the excitement will carry you through. Promise!

Thanks- I need some serious butt kicking!! I know I need to try.
I will look up local park runs, hopefully one works around children.
On my meltdown - I had just started a walk (after about 1/2 mile run on planned 2 mile run-longest planned) and someone ran past who hadn’t even broken sweat /running with ease. I was a panting sweaty mess! I just thought I hate this, turned around and went home to cry!! (I have history if depression and have been using exercise to help)
I guess I’m scared I will be the slowest/sweatiest/shitest one there.
My dh wants to do it with me, but he is a seasoned runner and will make light work of it. He has also arranged for in laws to have children and ‘cheer’ me on. This fills me with dread (I tolerate in laws they are the last people I want there).
Thank you for reading my rant x

sage how did you learn to breathe?

I am overweight and I need to get back to running. I hate the first eight minutes. Seriously hate them. I set visual markers eg I will run to that tree, now i will run to that bench etc. Breathing wise I put music on and sing to it in my head and that helps to focus my breathing. After I hit the eight minute marker I seem more able to relax and weirdly enjoy it. First time after a while it does take longer to ignore a the wobbly bits wobbling around!
I am off to the gym for a walk today. First time in months but it has to be done!

I don’t think I’ve made 8 minutes yet!!
I’ve lost just over a stone since September, exercise has done me a lot of good. I just feel like I can’t crack this!

Well done Jennie for hitting the gym today. You will feel smug later when you’ve done it!

Aw OP don't worry!
I entered a 10k with a friend last year, thought it would be a bit of fun. On the day I looked up the times from the previous year and realised it was elite amateurs and I was definitely going to come last! It was also a really hilly route, total nightmare. I came last by about ten minutes but guess what? I finished even though I had to walk loads and everyone was really kind and supportive. Go for it!

Right, it's amazing what you've achieved so far and even better that you obviously want to get back on the horse - so to speak. Woo hoo!!

10k is completely doable. Like the old 'how do you eat an elephant - one bite at a time' challenge.

Just set yourself small, achievable goals. Maybe don't worry about distance, do time instead.

So Today, aim for 3 x cycles of 5 minutes running, 2 minutes walking ( or whatever you think is achievable).

Just get out and give anything a shot, however small.

Then tomorrow, try to do a tiny little bit more.

Little and often.

Sort out an amazing playlist - Spoitify is brilliant if you can do a free trial for a month. Then you can download to your phone in case signal is bad or you want to save data.

And as for people running faster / easier than you, of course they will be, you might encounter professional runners or people training for marathons - I find it easier to visualise them in that category rather than think they are 'someone like me' as then I cannnot possibly compare myself as they are not a normal person .

Running is so good for mental health and general health you are doing a really good thing do t give up!!

I wouldn't recommend running with your partner and get him to cancel the cheerleaders...that will just add pressure. This is something you need to do for yourself.
You can do this. Just stop stressing and just take it in bite sized pieces. Nobody is holding a gun to your head, this is something you have chosen to do for yourself. Now get off Mumsnet and go and bang out a run. Tomorrow, go round the next block. And an extra block the next. If you have to rest, walk with your hands on your head to the next lamppost then start again. Don't stop moving. Pat yourself in the back for what you are achieving rather than focusing on the fact that you haven't reached your target yet. You will if you keep going.

someone ran past who hadn’t even broken sweat /running with ease.

There's always someone like that...! Honestly? I've just learned to ignore them & run for me. Losing a stone since September is fantastic. Congratulations.

The first k is always the tough bit but then it starts to get easier. When I did a 10k last year there were several people who walked most of it so really, don't worry!

I think the usual on Parkruns is that kids are welcome but you need to be within arm's reach of them when running.

Can’t get out until this afternoon as on my own with kids. But I will!! Getting my gear out ready now and finding my headphones!!

Great decision:) people will run past you but you are thrashing people like me (in bed and not moving til lunchtime)

One of the things I have found with running is the improvement can be really rewarding. One week you can’t get to the end of the street and a few months later you are running a 10k...it’s a more visible improvement than say exercise classes

Good for you!

I wouldn't recommend running with your partner and get him to cancel the cheerleaders...that will just add pressure. This is something you need to do for yourself.

I agree with this so much. I’d tell them now that you want to do this one on your own(maybe just have dh there at the end if you want him there), but the ILs and dc can stay away this time.

Just wanted to say good luck. I’m not a runner. Hate most forms of exercise. But signed up for a 5k in December to raise money for GOSH who treat my little boy. I found out I was pregnant about a month before the run so had first trimester tiredness, total unfit body-ness and was terrified I wouldn’t make it round. But I did. We walked a bit and jogged a bit and I can’t say I’m desperate to do it again but I made it. And was so proud of myself.
I believe you’ll be fine. You may be slow but you will succeed. Keep the tunes blaring and visual markers like a previous poster said are really helpful.

Well done KTD this run is also a fund raiser for a charity I have links with. Although it’s not sponsored the entry fee goes to the charity as they have organised the event.
Anyone got any tips on breathing?

If you’re used to doing HIIT I would bet my bottom dollar that you are running too fast. It’s a totally different kettle of fish, you need to train yourself to be steady.
Next time you go for a run play a game with yourself to see how slow you can run and every time you feel yourself speeding up slow back down. I bet you can go way further than you think if you do that.

Right - my advice would be to plan a 10k route and walk it as fast as you can. Use however long it takes you as a base time - whatever it is you know that you will finish it it better that time as you can already run some bits too. Then just focus on getting as good as you can at running - knowing that you can walk for parts of it. You could do C25k with excellent results because you’re already not completely sedentary. If you did C25k you would get yourself to a standard where you could run the first half then run walk the second half which would be a really decent result.

I think I’m too slow already! I’m doing about 12’19 pace on Fitbit app.

Yy to advice above - slow your run right down!

Oh I’ve been told about the running too fast thing too.
A friend who runs saw me, whilst she was in her car and stopped to tell me to slow down! It made such a difference!

I am running with pleasure for the first time in my life.
I discovered the secret - run as slowly as you can. Not faster than you usually walk.
You then hardly break into sweat and won't breathe heavily.
Never ever compare yourself to other runners!
Run at your own pace.
I am also overweight, probably more than you.