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Original poster

Am I over reacting or is this a crazy idea?

40 replies

ANiceCupOfTea1 · 01/07/2025 01:20

Right I need an outside opinion on this because I’m now at the stage where I genuinely can’t tell if I’m over reacting or not!

So for context- partner agreed to do a 10k with his mates. It was agreed about a year ago and he intended to train for it but didn’t. It was very much a ‘I’ll start tomorrow’ but tomorrow never came. I assumed he was no longer doing it and would do some training and try it again perhaps in 6 months or whenever the next one is but he’s still intending on doing it. Despite having 0 training whatsoever.

His logic is it’s only 10k and it’s a very entry level run, i.e. it’s not a marathon. He thinks he’ll be absolutely fine.

My concerns are that he has absolutely 0 stamina whatsoever (he would say that himself, I’m not being unkind by saying that, I also have 0 stamina for the record!) and plays no sports and I’m concerned that running a 10k on cold turkey could be risky. He is a healthy weight but very much has a fast metabolism. He’s not sporty whatsoever so this run would be something completely out of the ordinary for him. He is also asthmatic and has irregular heart issues, or something along those lines, although his health is under control now.

Obviously he's an adult and it's his choice, but am I being dramatic by being concerned about this? Or is he correct that 10k is doable (albeit sore the next day, but still doable) on no training whatsoever and unlikely to cause any serious harm to his health? I know there's the option just to walk it but he is incredibly competitive when in the moment and I know he will absolutely power through and run the entire way to keep up with his friends (who are serious runners and do this regularly) so I know he will quite literally run until he drops just to keep up with them.

but I am absolutely not a runner and have very little knowledge about any of that. Can someone who knows more about it please let me know, is it likely he’ll be fine (apart from a bit sore and stiff the next day) or am I correct in being concerned for his health?

OP posts:
Help987 · 01/07/2025 01:23

You're being dramatic, its a 10k - not climbing everest. He's an adult, this is his choice.

Branster · 01/07/2025 01:26

He'll find out at the run and either finish it or prove you are correct.
I suspect he will get a stitch after 500m and walk it the best he can, then he'll get very sore heels in another 500m, then he'll call you for a lift.
The heart condition would be the main concern but he is an adult and you can't stop him. I can see he'll find some excuse on the day not do it, a migraine or something to save face.

MuckFusk · 01/07/2025 01:59

They generally have somebody at these events in case of medical emergencies, so I wouldn't worry about that.
Even for a 10K you do need some running experience if you don't want to have to stop to walk or to rest at all. So he can run until he drops if he likes but he won't be able to catch up to his friends who have better stamina, so his ego will take a hit. Maybe he'll learn something from it.

NeedZzzzzssss · 01/07/2025 02:02

Help987 · 01/07/2025 01:23

You're being dramatic, its a 10k - not climbing everest. He's an adult, this is his choice.

This. Also I know quite a few people who have done longer with no training. He'll either be fine or not, but its his choice. It's not like he's going to die

laurini · 01/07/2025 03:01

He'll be fine. He might have to go very slow or take walking breaks but he's unlikely to become seriously unwell.

Ivereallyhadenough · 01/07/2025 03:51

Do you mean he has never ever done any running before OP?
Because if that is so I dont see how he can finish the race without walking parts of it.

What age is he?I think some of the pp are rather blasé about the health risks - especially given what you say about his heart.

I think.he is being extremely foolish but presumably if he realises his mistake on the day he will either end up walking most of the route or he will have to drop out of the race part way through.

sashh · 01/07/2025 05:40

Does he have the correct shoes?

How far off is the race? Could he attempt a long run on his own?

But you are right it is a crazy idea.

Dominoeffecter · 01/07/2025 05:42

10K isn’t much, you don’t really need training.

HarperValley · 01/07/2025 05:46

It’s 10k, perfectly doable to get round with no training. It might not be pretty, he'll find it hard and will likely feel awful afterwards and regret the lack of any training but he can get round one way or another.

StillweriseLH · 01/07/2025 05:51

It’s a nuts idea in that he’s going to hurt a lot the day after and probably feel like throwing up 6km in, but it’s not risking your health stupid in my opinion!

Uifpdjjjj · 01/07/2025 05:53

You are being really unreasonable and over the top.

Agix · 01/07/2025 05:54

You don't really need to train for a 10k. You have to be fit enough in the first place though (not super fit).

I stopped running for about a year and a half, then randomly upped and did a 10k one day because I felt like it. Was fine.

I couldn't do it now though, I've gotten a bit too unfit.

Even if he can't do it, it won't hurt him. He'll just stop and walk and bow out the race if he needs.

rubicustellitall · 01/07/2025 05:55

Why oh why do men have such insane ideas?!! They are indeed a strange breed!

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 01/07/2025 05:57

A difficult one. Jade goody did the London marathon without training and got surprisingly far.

if it wasn’t for his heart issues and asthma I’d think he’d be fine. That muddies the waters in my eyes but if you push it he may kill himself trying to prove you wrong.

I do 5k most days and I’m a horrid sweaty mess by the end of it. I rarely do 10k because it’s quite boring but it is possible. There’s no risk of me dying or needing medical attention but it’s hard.

Scarydinosaurs · 01/07/2025 05:59

He will be fine. How long has he got now? Even if you train ‘properly’ for a 10k from “couch” you don’t need six months.

It’s running for about an hour. Not dangerous at all.

NoKnit · 01/07/2025 06:03

Totally fine

A 10k is barely over the recommended 10,000 steps a day depending on how long your legs are and how generous your step counter is

Itisnotdownonanymap · 01/07/2025 06:09

I did a 10k with barely any training and was fine. I was generally fairly fit but not an exerciser at that point

GreenSmithing · 01/07/2025 06:11

Does depend on the weather, and also his age. Over 40 we tend to be a bit less springy and there's more chance of developing joint problems. But assuming it's not going to be in the mid to high twenties, and it's a road race rather than some insane hilly trail event, he should be able to get around, doing a walk run approach. It's 6.25 miles with water stations. Most reasonably fit people can walk that in 2 hours at a fairly relaxed pace

So, i wouldn't say it was dangerous. But I also don't think he will be absolutely fine. I think he will in pain the next couple of days, and he may develop ankle, hip or knee problems if he's not used to the impact of running. However, some people won't be told so, I'd just let him get on with it and deal with the consequences. Maybe buy him some ibuprofen if you're feeling kind.

Billybagpuss · 01/07/2025 06:21

When is it and has he ever been a runner/exerciser.

If he’s never done anything before and he just gets out of bed and off he goes he’s gonna struggle.

I have started c25k more times than I can count. Yes I can hobble my way around a 5k. Yes I could do that twice. My 5k time is painfully slow at 45 mins so double that and then some for 10k. I do walk that distance fairly regularly with the dog with lots of sniffy stops. However I do remember the first time I did c25k it took me 3 weeks to be able to comfortably do week 1 which is 8 sets of 1 minute runs.

My guess he will have massive regret some point within the first km, he will either suck it up and keep going, or he will stop. I just hope he’s not too stubborn to not listen to his body with his health issues and stays sensible.

Gallowayan · 01/07/2025 06:30

You have not mentioned his age? I say this because I would consider the lack of preparation concerning if he was 50 but not so much if he was 30.

Namechangerage · 01/07/2025 06:34

You can think he’s an idiot but he will be fine. Being “concerned” is a bit much.

10k isn’t that much although he will find it very tough and prob have to walk some of it.

Are you generally quite an anxious person? As your reaction seems a bit strong.

Comtesse · 01/07/2025 06:35

What’s his heart condition? That’s the only thing to worry about.

BlueEyedBogWitch · 01/07/2025 06:38

Tell him to check with his GP. That may or may not give him a face-saving ‘out’.

If he does go through with it, tell him to google ‘Jeffing’.

terracelane23 · 01/07/2025 06:38

I’d let him try. He can walk some or all of it if needed. He will just resent you if you stop him doing it.

B1anche · 01/07/2025 06:40

For 10k, he would only need to train to get a decent time. Any able-bodied person could walk it in 70 - 80 minutes.

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