5k to 10k - what to do at the end given no 10k events?

[PostmistressMcColl]

I am a very slow runner/jogger. This year I'd just about got into the swing of doing a couple of 5k jogs most weeks, including parkrun (which takes me 40mins ish). When lockdown happened I had a bit of a break but then got myself into the swing of a 5k to 10k plan, going out 3 times a week. It's a 10 week plan and I'm on week 6. I don't enjoy running really but i love the feeling afterwards! At the weekend I ran 7.5k which is the furthest I've ever run by some way, so I'm feeling really positive about it all at the moment. However, the plan is all geared up for a 10k event in week 10 (including loads of extra rest before the event). I can get round that by just mapping out a 10k route for myself to attempt on that day, but would love some advice on trying to make it feel like a bit of an event in my head iyswim, as I imagine that'd help get me round? And I'd also love some advice on what to do next, to keep my fitness up so that whenever it is possible to do a real 10k event I'll be ready. I guess I could just keep repeating the last 2 training weeks in my current plan over and over? I'm just conscious that having a proper structured plan has kept me going, I'm not a natural runner and pretty lazy by nature, so any tips on motivation/keeping things varied would be really appreciated!

Congratulations on your progress! Running a 10k is a massive achievement.

Have you considered entering a virtual run to mark your first 10k distance? There are a couple of companies out there that do them, and you often have to just complete them on a certain date (or within that month) then submit your time/evidence and you get a medal.

As for what's next, half marathon?? Or try to do the same route faster?

Would you be interested in a virtual race?

You have to do your 10k on or around a certain day, then provide proof (screen shot of Strava/Garmin/Runkeeper/other tracker) and you should get a medal back in the post.

Some companies do virtual events all the time (usually for charity) but at the moment, other running event companies have turned their race series into virtual ones (at least until the end of May)

I'll post links if you're interested in the idea.

Thank you both so much, a virtual 10k sounds like exactly what I need! If I follow my plan exactly then my "race day" would be on Sunday 7th June. It's looking like I could aim for a time of maybe 75-80 mins I think based on my progress to date, I don'tknow if that might limit what type of eventI could join.
Omg, I'd love a medal I'll get googling and yes please any links would be great.
Thanks again!

You sound just like me! I’m a slow runner who likes it once it’s over! I’ve done a couple of 10ks. We often sign up to ‘race at your pace’ which is more about total miles over a month. It is good motivator though.

In a fit of enthusiasm I've signed up for a Run Through virtual event, looks like I can do the 10k any time in June, sort-of can't wait! Thank you again, this is exactly what I needed! And thank you very much for the 'race at your pace' suggestion Kindlingwood, that sounds like a great way to try to keep myself keeping on afterwards

Good luck!!!!

Good luck and well done! I help organise an annual 10k locally (also in June), and we've gone virtual this year too. All our supporters have been fab, and having just launched the virtual race (the 'real' race had been launched back in December), got a great uptake. Thank goodness - we've got 1,000 2020 bespoke medals to shift 😭.

RunThrough is one of the companies I was going to recommend!

They usually run RL events and have a good reputation - friendly as well as competent - core staff are all runners/triathletes

If you want a company that specialises in virtual events, then try www.virtualrunneruk.com

Once you've done you 10k run and got your much deserved medal, do you want to carry on running? Once I got to half marathon distance, I started getting bored. I'm not a long distance runner! Instead, I worked on my pace and trained differently with a goal of getting my 5k pace to 22 minutes and my 10k to 48 minutes. It was hard but I did it. I needed that goal.

I still run several times a week but have moved onto different fitness challenges to keep things interesting. I'm currently doing Shaun T's Insanity Max 30 but before this, I set myself a challenge of building up enough strength to do 10 pull ups which for me, was quite hard!

After your 10k achievement you can find online "improve my 5k/10k training plans so you can build up to another race target.

This is what I did. My NY resolution as to start doing races / 10ks. I did this in early March and am now following an improve your 5k time strava training plan. - I'm not following this exactly but its maintained my 4x weekly run routine and I'm working on building my weekly kms to build my base fitness over lockdown.

If you want to keep running I'd just try finding a new plan and go for it

Hi all, I just wanted to come back and say thank you for all the great advice on this thread. I did 10k for the first time today (in about 75 min which I'm really pleased with as my parkrun 5k time was usually about 40 min) - and I've been given some great ideas here for keeping things going from here. I've set myself a monthly distance target on Strava as a starting point. Many thanks again!!

Fantastic achievement!Although I have been running for a few years I still struggle sometimes during a run but feel great at the end. I suspect you will now be adicted and have will soon be planning your next target.

Thank you YorkshireFatRascal! I think you might be right. Love your username btw, would love one right now!!

Ah congrats OP that’s fab. This is the inspiration I needed - I did couch25k end of last year and was really enjoying park runs, with my first 10K due end of May. Come the pressures of lockdown I pretty much ground to a halt (and the 10K was cancelled of course) but I’ve been getting out again lately and just downloaded an app to get me to 10K...mine should be start of August and I’ll follow some of these suggestions. I did race at your pace last month and found it motivating. Happy running and congrats again!

Oh meant to say - I’ve also found the HealthUnlocked forums v motivating and helpful.

Well done! Keep it up and imagine how amazing it will feel to cross the finish with a crowd cheering and a lovely person giving you a medal when races are on again. As that was your first 10k you've got a PB in a new distance and a target for next time