Doing a 10k race 5 weeks before first half marathon

[Sheepondrugs]

I'm planning to run my first half marathon next year. I’ve seen that there is a 10k in a lovely location 5 weeks prior to the half. Is it feasible to do the 10k race too?

Totally fine. you’ll have 10ks as part of your plan later on that 5 weeks ahead. you’ll be really fit by then

It’s great prep and good timing. It will help to practice your race day prep too, test your kit etc

You’ll be fine.

It would be a good test for practicing running at your race pace and not getting carried away at the start when you’re all excited and surrounded by faster runners.

I run HMs and I’d consider 10k a standard unremarkable, training distance. I’m not a super fit whippet by any means!

Yup its fine. I mean I wouldn't be aiming to win the 10k, I wouldn't be pushing myself too hard, but it's a great length as one of your training runs.

Yeah. It’s only 10k. It’ll be absolutely fine. I didn’t a 25k and a 10k race in the same weekend recently.

Yes, of course. Treat it as one of your quality sessions. It will be a real confidence booster when you do your HM.

Thanks all. It's a good point about practicing in a race environment.

What the others said. If the half is your goal race then do the 10k but do it at your half marathon goal pace, or just quicker. I wouldn't be going all-out racing the 10k and risking injury there if the half is the real goal for that season.

I'm at about 8k for my long runs currently. In a couple of months they will be 10k or over , although I do my training runs at a slow pace. It's more the intensity than the distance.