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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:
mckenzie · 12/04/2004 00:35

Twink, I would join a Mums Net team for Race for Life. I don't live in Brighton though but DS and I do enjoy a trip to the seaside so what the heck. When is it?

deegward · 12/04/2004 00:37

Jasper, I once (many moons ago) did a 1/2 marathon with 6 weeks training. My boyfriend at the time granny wanted me to take a brolly with me as it was raining when we set off. Bless

mckenzie · 12/04/2004 00:45

thanks deegward, I'm chuckling at a picture of a crowd of runners waiting for the starter's gun to go off, all holding big black umbrellas.... very funny.

Twink · 12/04/2004 01:16

Brighton is 4th July and the details are here !

I think we should have a campaign to pester all the Brighton meet-up people to do it, if we promised a wine-driven lunch afterwards we might get a response ! Remember guys running is not compulsory & over half the entrants walk & natter.

Original poster
jasper · 12/04/2004 01:29

not too bad thanks janz. Bit stiff all over over actually.
Deegward did it half kill you?

OP posts:
Cam · 12/04/2004 03:19

Twink, I'll stand on the prom cheering you on and then have the lunch after, thanks!

mckenzie · 13/04/2004 22:45

Twink, I'm on holiday 4th july otherwise I would have packed my bucket and spade and come to Brighton to do it with you. I'll find out when my local one is and post a call for runners.

luckymum · 16/04/2004 19:29

Jasper (& others) just wondering how you're getting on with the training and if the knee is holding up.

The lady who ran my children's playgroup sadly died last week from breast cancer(she was 45) Thinking of her pushed me through the 40 minute barrier today so I must have done about 4 1/2 miles.

Original poster
jasper · 18/04/2004 04:59

Well done luckymum.
The most I have run is 4 miles. I have had an unfortunate setback - got bad blisters on the insteps of both feet following Friday's run and they hurt whenever I wear any kind of shoes at all and just don't show signs of healing. Not sure what if anything I can do about it.

OP posts:
Twink · 18/04/2004 10:36

Get some Compeed blister plasters. They're quite pricey but really help to repair the skin and cushion the blisters so you can walk again.

Compeed are better then Boot's own IMO as they stay on in the shower.

Check your trainers to see if there is anything obvious which is rubbing that can be trimmed or filed.

What sort of socks do you wear ? Cotton ones can make blisters worse as they get sweaty & rub. Man-made wicking ones are better.

I've heard of people putting gaffer tape on top of their socks in blister-prone places but never tried it myself.

JanZ · 18/04/2004 12:14

I used to get loads of blisters where you describe. Compeed is good - but weren't really around 10 years ago when I did my main running (at least, the stuff when I did "too much too soon!" ). I used to get some "felt" type plasters (which were a wee bit cushioned) which were able to protect my feet enough to get me started into a run, get the endorphins going, and then not notice (too) much the pain! (Did I mention I was a masochist? )

I found that it was best to burst the blister - I used to cut open a corner (ie not just with a needle, which might then re-seal and allow it to get infected), "push" out the liquid (sorry to be gross) and then put plenty of germolene on. I learnt the hard way NOT to do it BEFORE my restorative bath!

ruthydoodles · 18/04/2004 16:15

Anyone in N london/crouchie? I'd love to start running again and would love to have a running pal. i used to run up allie pallie. Over 2 stone heavier now though, and no excercise in 18 months means I'm more likely to crawl up the hill!
Excuse the nickname, I chose it in a nappy brain moment - it's a bit OTT really, makes me sound a bit vacant!

ruthydoodles · 18/04/2004 16:17

and yes, you can do it. Sheer determination and the other people in the race will help you. Team spirit will waft yoou along I'm sure, good luck

Original poster
jasper · 19/04/2004 00:32

Thanks for the blister advice girls.
Yes there is a seam in my trainers which seems to be at the rub. I maybe need to get better ones - I bought them because I have such wide feet and they were the only ones which I tried on in various shops which did not squeeze my feet . I bought them without asking anyones advice just to get me through the 5k. £11 out of TK Max! Tried on loads of expensive and uncomfortable ones mind you.
Will now do a websearch for those plasters.

OP posts:
Twink · 19/04/2004 11:07

Jasper, I too am cursed with wide feet and unfortunately the majority of trainer manufacturers don't seem to believe women can have them.

Try looking at New Balance as they do different width fittings (wide & narrow), as do Asics (in their men's range only).

I've found Saucony to be quite wide too but my current Asics cause instep blisters as they've got a seam in the wrong place for my feet. IME Adidas are for stick-thin feet only

If you go to a specialist running shop & get them to analyse your foot type and find a comfortable shoe then either buy it or go home look on the web to see if you can get last year's model or colour as you can save a fortune.

Original poster
jasper · 20/04/2004 00:35

If I ever run this 10k you can all take some credit. Had never heard of Compeed plasters before and was amazed the local village chemist had some . Stuck them on the sore bits... and ran the furthest ever ( about 4.6 miles)
Was so pleased with myself I got fish and chips for tea! (is that defeating the purpose?)

Also took an emery board to the seam which helped - thanks for the tip Twink.

OP posts:
Twink · 20/04/2004 01:33

No it's not, you deserve some compensation for your efforts & your pain - well done.

Remember that for every mile a 10 stone woman runs it burns around 100 calories meaning your run was at least 400 or so which turns fish & chips into the same calorie band as a Weight Watchers meal (approx ! )

PS You bloody well will run it !

We'll be with you every step, you really can do it and you will

luckymum · 20/04/2004 11:50

Jasper....I only run so that I can drink more!!

Sounds like you're doing great.

Twink · 21/04/2004 01:36

Me too Luckymum ! When I first started training at the gym I used to watch for the magic 200 calories appear on a machine cos that meant I'd earned a can of lager (or more usually, burned off the one I'd had the night before..)

Back to the point of this thread, Jasper, 4.6 miles is great. I think it is far, far harder to go from zip to 5k than from 5k to 10k so you've done a lot of the hardest work already.

10k is 6.2 miles so your 4.6 is 3/4 of the way there, and on the day, adrenaline will help enormously. Most of the marathon schedules don't get people to 'do the distance' in advance and the percentage of finishers is still huge.

If you get chance try to watch a bit of Sunday's FLM coverage and tell yourself that you too are a runner. It might help !

luckymum · 21/04/2004 21:25

On Monday the roads will be much busier with those inspired by Sunday's marathon My hubby ran the London....they recommend you train to do 20 miles before the race - you don't need to run the full distance - you'll make it no problem Jasper.

This time next year you'll be running the full 26

Original poster
jasper · 22/04/2004 02:37

AAh, you are all so kind!

Bad day tonight - only threee miles and a real struggle.BUM muscles, of all things, v. sore! Never mind, the point is to keep going.
Going to check out the shop in Cresswell lane for shoes tomorrow. Failing that does anyone know where in Glasgow the new Tiso running shop is?

OP posts:
JanZ · 22/04/2004 22:03

Sorry Jasper - don't know about the new Tisos. My only thought would be to go in to (or phone) the one in Buchanan Street and ask them. Hopefully you found the running shop in Cresswell Lane and have got a nice new pair.

Your training IS going well. You will get the odd "heavy" day - that's normal. If you've rested today, then you'll probably find you have a great run tomorrow.

Remember to take it fairly easy from Monday onwwards - keep your energy for the Sunday! A couple of 2, at most 3 mile runs will keep you loosened up in preparation - and break in your new shoes. DON'T wear them for the first time next Sunday!

Original poster
jasper · 22/04/2004 23:47

janz, check out Glasgow outdoor experience
You might know it already, it's near Cowcaddens underground and is a huge Tiso store which has apparently been there for a few years. The running shop inside it has only been there for a month.They even have a podiatrist to advise on footwear.

What a place! Has all sorts of outdoor stuff, a climbing wall(free for age 8+)and a good cafe with excellent bacon and egg rolls.
It's the sort of place you feel fit just by walking around.
Bought a new pair of shoes (can't remember the make but good for wide feet) and then came home to my three sick kiddies and have been holed up indoors ever since.

OP posts:
Twink · 26/04/2004 00:59

Jasper, hope the kids are getting better. 22nd is nearly here, are you going to go for it ?? Yes, yes, yes..

luckymum · 28/04/2004 20:58

Jasper - won't be around much over the weekend so wanted to wish you loads of luck for the run. You know you can do it!!!!