Tips needed please on how to improve my running

[DrNortherner]

Have dabbled with running on and off for years, never anything serious, the odd 30 minte run on my own, over the past 5 years I have always done RFL, can do 5k in about 28/29 minutes. Did my first 10 k yesterday (quite a hilly trail race) in 1 hour 5 minutes and felt fab!

Now I want to improve my time and do more 10 k's

How often should I be running each week and what distance? Should I join a club (worried I am not good enough) I also do Armed Forces Fitness twice a week.

Any tips greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Meant to say, I suddennly have the bright idea to get up at 6am and go for a run with the dog. Although I am terrible at getting out of bed on a morning......

Bumping for todays runners........

Are you near York DrN, seem to remember that you are Harrogate, are you York side?? If so there is a 12 week running group that gets your 10k time down from the Sweatshop shop at the David Lloyd gym on Hull road.

It doesnt start until January but it works, i did my best ever 10k time after it.

The key seemed to be doing interval training of sprints and stuff, not just the distance runs.
Yes to joining your local running club otherwise, they will be v. friendly and have a mix of abilities i reckon.

Hi, yes am Harrogate! (well remembered...) Am not York side, and it is sometime a nightmare getting across to York due to traffic.
Like the idea of a 12 week course though.

Think I will attempt the Harriers tomorrow evening....

Yes do, i find it much easier to be motivated to go with a group. I rarely get my arse out of the door if going alone.

There are lots of 10 ks in the area. Think the Leeds Abbey dash is in Nov, fairly local ifyou fancy it?

Yeah thought about that one, also Harewood trail race.

Go for it i reckon!

Go for it i reckon!

I'd really recommend joining a club if you can find one that's not too serious/obsessive. In my club you would be at the slow end of the club, but not on your own at all. The club gets me to go out when otherwise I might not, gets me to run faster and further than I would on my own, and to enter races I wouldn't otherwise do. The races then help keep me running on my own when I can't get to the club runs.

The serious/obsessive stuff - pick this up from their website and the first meeting. I'm in SW London and there is a club in central London which has a reputation for being Very Serious about running. The other local clubs are all nice though.

My local one seems a bit elite.....worried now.

Did you go??