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Original poster

Can I run in a 10k run with one month's training?

131 replies

jasper · 06/04/2004 01:41

Or am I mad to consider it?
I got roped into running in a 5k "fun" run last weekend with two weeks notice to train. I am not fit and completely unathletic but managed to run (slowly) all the way.It was very hard going but I felt a great sense of achievement at the end.It was the furthest I have run in my life
Now I am considering doing a 10k run at the end of April. I have no ambitions to get a fast time, just to complete the course running most if not all the way.
Do you think it is possible and if so does anyone know of a sensible training programme I could follow?
Thanks.

OP posts:
Twink · 06/04/2004 02:15

Mad you may be, but the run is not impossible !
The Race For Life training plan for 'runners' gives a good guide, it's only for 5k but could be extrapolated for 10k.

I've recently helped a friend go from 5k to 10k in 3 weeks although she was fairly fit from doing aerobic classes.

Runners World have some good stuff but they like you to register first.

I've got to get to bed now but if no one else has given you any other advice by the time I'm next here, I'll sort you out a 'plan' !

luckymum · 06/04/2004 11:52

Jasper....go for it, taking up jogging is the best thing I ever did. I'm less stressed, haven't had a cold now for 4 years and my PMS is way better. I find it easier if I've got a goal, a fun run or something and running with friends as you encourage each other.

Twink, have you signed up for your Race for Life yet?

hmum · 06/04/2004 12:39

Jasper go for it you can do it, I run with Twink who by the way encouraged me to progress from a 5k fun run to completing our 2nd half marathon this year.
Find a friend ti run with if you can , it is a great stress reliever and as you say the sense of achievement at the end of a run is great.
Writng this having just returned from a quick run.

JanZ · 06/04/2004 14:12

You CAN do it!

Especially if you have already run 5km. You have proven that you can "pace" yourself - the 10Km is just more of the same, and you have four weeks to prepare.

The Herald has been doing a training schedule for the Glasgow Women's 10km on 16 May - may be you could have a look at that. They're a good few weeks in to the porgramme - but then, you've already done a 5Km race!

Why not give yourself a couple of extra weeks and do the Glasgow Women's 10k? I'm thinking of doing it myself - if only as a target to get myself running again.

At the simplest level, if you can get yourself out for half an hour for a walk/run every second day - and try to run as much of that as possible and on consecutive Sundays build up and do 40, 50 and then 60 minutes out running/walking, then you will get round "nae probs"!

Personally I have a thing about never walking - if I'm tired, I'll just run really, really slowly - but that's me! For me, I find it's more difficult to start running again, if you've been walking even for a wee bit. Plus I've got good will power! (I'm also the nutter who once ran a marathon - in 4hr 43min - on 5 weeks training....as a work colleague said as he watched me crawl up stair after one of my long Sunday sessions, he wouldn't have minded about the damage I was doing to my body, if he didn't know that I KNEW what I was doing!! )

Original poster
jasper · 06/04/2004 23:49

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I found out today it is on Sunday 25th April so even less time to train than I thought so I am still unsure; your comments have inspired me though !
JanZ I will be in Canada at the time of the Glasgow womens 10k run.
I really must stress how hopeless I am at this. It is something of an exaggeration to say I ran a 5k - it was a very slow jog all the way. You could probably have done a striding walk faster!
Janz your idea of running/jogging/walking every second day with more on Sundays sounds reasonable enough. I have until the 22nd to enter the race so will decide then if I can do it.

OP posts:
JanZ · 07/04/2004 12:29

Jasper - if it's relatively local (ie somewhere not too far from Glasgow) I could run it with you if you wanted some support.

Original poster
jasper · 08/04/2004 23:08

Janz that is really kind. It's in the grounds of Culzean castle. I have recruited a friend to help me train - she has not run in many years but is already far better than me!The last date for entries is 22nd and we'll decide than if we will enter.
I don't know what it is an aid of - my neighbours who got me to do the 5k are also doing it.
I am following your plan - managed to jog for just over half an hour yesterday and am planning 40 min tomorrow. Part of me still thinks I am off my head.I really hate running! But I love the felling of having forced myself to do something I don't want to do that's good for me! Does that make any sense?

OP posts:
Ixel · 09/04/2004 11:40

God, I miss running! We used to run 5 times a week before our little goblin arrived. Its so hard to make time... does anyone have any tips? My husband works shifts, so I have to train at really odd times. Its also demoralising because it seems an impossible task to get my figure back. I've applied for the women's 5km in september, so if i get a place, this may inspire me!! We did a half marathon in 2002,but i doubt that'll ever happen again!!

Original poster
jasper · 10/04/2004 00:06

Ran 7k tonight - can't believe it

OP posts:
Lisa78 · 10/04/2004 00:14

Well done you! Not sure I could WALK 7k!

luckymum · 10/04/2004 00:29

Bloody hell Jasper, well done, I really struggle once I get to 5K, you'll do 10 no problem, just remember to have your rest days.

Original poster
jasper · 10/04/2004 01:03

rest days never a problem , its the running days that do me in

OP posts:
Twink · 10/04/2004 01:04

Bloody good going Jasper but please be careful.

Ideally you should only increase your run by 10% at a time to avoid stress injuries, and overall weekly distance by 10% too. Obviously you've not got enough time to follow this but don't get too carried away, you'll be gutted if you try really hard only to end up with shin splints or something.

JanZ's plan is ideal for you I would have thought, good luck with the training.

When I first started it was 'to prove I could' and every step was an effort, now I get grumpy if I don't do it - and it's fab for keeping lard off so I just keep at it.

I also eat more healthily now out of choice - I never used to believe those before & after articles in slimming magazines but it's true although I do maintain a high alcohol intake, everyone needs at least one vice !

Twink · 10/04/2004 01:08

Ixel, you will get back to it, honest ! While things are tough with a little one, book a run in your diary and co-ordinate with your partner to make sure you stick to it.

Even now I find it's the best way to make sure I do a session; sadly I treat it with as much commitment as I would a date

mckenzie · 10/04/2004 01:24

Ixel, have you considered getting a Baby Jogger? I knew that i'd be itching to get my running shoes back on once DS was born (he's now nearly 3) and so i invested in a proper Baby Jogger. They are designed from 6 months upwards and my son loves being out in it. As a baby he would sleep if he was tired or watch the birds on the trees etc and as he got a bit older he'd kick his legs in encouragement if ever I stopped or slowed down.
They're not cheap but you might be able to get one second hand on Ebay or if you know anyone who is going to the US, buy it there and bring it back as fragile luggage. That's what we did and saved a fortune.

I'd lend you mine but we still use it sometimes.

Ixel · 10/04/2004 11:24

I did think of it. I got one, but found out that if you take it on the bus, the brakes jump out. So dont buy Maclaren!! Anyway, I got a Graco thing... the wheels aren't quite so good, but I think it'd be ok on a smooth surface. But its so hard to motivate myself, because I feel like I'm starting from such a low point. And everytime I start to get into a routine, something stops it! E.G. I fell over with the baby in the papoose last week, so had to fall on my knees to save him. Painful, scarey, and highly embarassing. Thanks for the advice though. You've helped, by making all the hurdles seem smaller than I imagine!!

Original poster
jasper · 10/04/2004 14:05

Twink what a timely piece of advice - this morning I have a sore left knee - sort of clicks when fully extended.what do you advise?

OP posts:
luckymum · 10/04/2004 14:35

Hope you don't mind me chipping in Jasper.......

Don't worry about it too much, rest up today and see how it is, perhaps do a shorter run tomorrow. Are you running on the roads, cos it's hard on the knees. I try to run along the canal weather permitting, the tow paths near us are quite good and much softer. Also are you wearing decent running shoes? really important if you're upping your mileage.

JanZ · 10/04/2004 16:26

Cogratulations Japser! But I'd echo Twink's comments - make sure to not do too much too soon. Otherwise you may end up with injuries (I know - I've been there! ).

I started off like Twink - it was a will power thing. However, I have never become an "addicted" runner, so keep on having periods "off" - and then have to go through all the pain all over again next time I go through a running "phase". My last serious period running was before ds - and he is now 3.5!

The other thing I would add is to make sure you have good shoes - they really do make all the difference. And it's best to buy them from a specialist shop. Greaves is not bad, although because it is a general sports shop, it depends on who you get - but there is a specialist shop is Cresswell lane (I can't remember its name - but it was mentioned in the Herald)

Can you give me details on who to contact about entering the Culzean Castle run? I can't find anything on the internet.

JanZ · 10/04/2004 16:38

PS I wrote my bit a wee while ago but didn't get round to posting it - so I've duplicated Luckymum's comment re shoes.

I'd echo the comment about resting up today and seeing how you feel tomorrow. Running on softer ground does help too - I always try to run on grass when I can - although you also run the risk of twisitng an ankle!

It's unlikely you're yet at the mileage that the "other" knee problem could possibly kick in (ie when one set of your thigh muscles get so well developed that the're not balanced by the other set and can put stain on the knee cap - I'm not a physio, so that's prbably not the best explanation).

The other important thing is to ENJOY yourself! I didn't always necessarily enjoy the run itself - but I always enjoyed the "having done it" !

Original poster
jasper · 11/04/2004 00:06

This is fantastic, I can't believe the amount of advice that is flooding in here.
sadly I am limited to roads round here.
Might invest in better shoes - Janz is Cresswell lane off Byres Road?

Ixel could you enlist another mum? I have joined forces with a pal. WE have 5 kids under 5 between us.She comes to my house and we take it in turns to look after the children while the other runs up and down the road. At the weekend we enlisted our husbands to look after all the kids while we ran together followed by an evening of food and wine!
Janz the number to phone about the Culzean Family Fun Run (thats what they're calling it) is 01655 884400 and ask for the property manager. Might see you there!

OP posts:
Twink · 11/04/2004 00:32

Echo the shoes advice - it's worth going to a specialist shop, getting something which really suits your feet, then after that get the 'last years' models off the Net.

If your knee is still giving you grief tomorrow, try getting some ibuprofen gel. I agree with Jan, you're unlikely to have got a case of 'Runner's knee' that quickly (very accurate description though Jan, and something I know far more about than I'd like )

So, what Race(s) For Life are we signed up for ? I'm doing Brighton & Newbury (bang goes my anonominity ! sp ?) I'm running Brighton then going back to meet up with my mum & dd (4) who are doing their first, then the following week am doing one with my Rosemary Conley class.

I know every year I promise to shut up about it but never do, we must surely be able to get a Mumsnet Race For Life team together this year ? Or is this where the 'meet-up' threads suddenly go quiet ?

BUT, all you diet thread peeps, note that a 10 stone person who runs a mile in 10 mins will burn 100 calories, so RFL = more than a Mars bar or 1/2 bottle of wine plus the boosted metabolic rate continues burning the calories after you've stopped !

Original poster
jasper · 11/04/2004 00:53

Funnily enough Twink I have lost a pound at each of my last WW weigh ins despite eating more.
Think I've got some of that gel lying around, will give it a try.

OP posts:
luckymum · 11/04/2004 12:37

I'm doing the Stoke-on-Trent RFL, this is my fifth year, hopefully finish in under 25 mins, crowds permitting. Wouldn't mind doing the B'ham Flora Light this year too.

JanZ · 11/04/2004 14:15

Jasper - yes I think it's off Byres Road, but I've never been myself.

How is the knee feeling today?

You know you've become a runner when you are either recovering from an injury, worrying about a current niggle or wondering what injury you're going to get next!