Hi Folks! I'm new to running and a recent subscriber to this site, enjoying it very much. Initially I decided to train to do a 5k  fun run for a childrens heart charity, after my son needed life saving surgery. After years of being overweight and underfit I expected to have to walk run a great deal. Luckily my initail dieting enabled me to start better than expected. I ran 1m in 12mins first run and 2m in 20mins second, quite comfortably. This gave me the encouragement to change my race plans and enter the 10k instead. In around 8 weeks I have reached the target 10k. The race is 26/9, so I'm now wondering how to best train for the weeks remaining? It seems evident from this site that I shouldn't be running 10k every run, and tapering is mentioned. Can anyone shed light/experience for me for the next few weeks? Also I then plan to run another 10k mid Oct. So how best do I resume training in between? I'd really respect your opinions. This site is amazing and I'm looking forward to reading all your posts and gaining inspiration from you all. God Bless Adrian

Adrian,

I'm afraid that I'm not very good at specific training programmes and just run when I feel the need to enjoy myself - but that probably goes to explain why I don't race (or why I'm quite slow!).  My advice is to keep up the running and enjoy it.  It's sometimes hard to accept that you can't improve for ever after knocking huge amounts of time of your runs initially so be prepared for that.  Likewise, not every race will be faster than the last but don't let that put you off - enjoy the feeling of improving while you can.

Outside of that, my love is off road running - consider a gentle session of three or four miles off road shortly before your run - it makes it feel you're flying when you get back on tarmac!  Adrian's programme has hills which is the alternative.  Just watch your ankles if you haven't run off road before.

Work out as well if you're going to want anything to eat or drink on the run (or what you're going to have before the race) and then stick to that strategy. Trial it and be comfortable with it. Changing food/drink plans at the last minute is a recipe for disaster (no pun intended).

Enjoy!

Thanks for your replies guys and gals, most interesting! I think you may have jinxed me Marge! I did a run last wednesday and part of it was along a towpath, I now have a knee niggle lol! I rested until last night and did a real easy 5k which I managed but the knee isnt 100%. Im really scared I might have done harm that will prevent me completing the 10k sponsored race. im gonna take it really easy and hope I can race on the 26th.

Thanks for your support good luck with all your training and look forward to chatting more!

God Bless

Adrian

Ha ha Marge Don't worry! Although the knee was really weird last week and still isn't 100%, I have managed two 5k runs really steadily this week. So I'm hoping to just do these each week plus one more 10k as you suggested before the race. It seems a sensible approach! I tell you something though... I was really cranky not running for a few days.... am I addicted? ha ha

Hi Marge

hope u are well? Yes I've taken your advice on board almost literally. Last week I did two steady 3.5mls and then last Friday (nine days prior to race) I did a 6.59 mile run, it took 1hr 19mins, which I was quite pleased with. It was only my second run at 10k and I actually ran too far by mistake! My knee is still iffy, but is getting by. This week I have run a quick (for me) 3.59mls in 31 mins and a 2.5 mls. Im going to do one more short run as a "loosener" on Thursday then rest Friday and Saturday. I received my race number yesterday, I was SO excited!! Can hardly believe I'm going to fulfill an ambition and run in a distance race! Further good news is that we are raising several hundreds of pounds for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Heart Appeal, which did my sons life saving surgery last year.... BONUS!

I'll start a new topic on Monday and let you all know how I got on, thanks so much for your friendship and support.

God Bless

Adrian