Am I aiming too high? - Beginners

Picketty

10/10/2002 at 11:13

My first forum entry! I have been running on and off for about 6 months on the treadmill and now regularly run 5k in just under 30 mins (when I put my mind to it!). I want to keep my new found motivation up by entering a race and I've seen the Brighton 10k which looks quite good. Is it too soon for me to be entering a 10k, and would I be able to complete a decent amount of training in the next 4 weeks for me to be able to get round without injuring myself or coming last? Would I be better to aim for a 10K in December or January? Also has anyone got any words of motivation to get me out onto the roads on the dark,cold and wet October nights. Thanks - this site has really inspired me to keep running and it's great to read about other beginners just starting out too.

Wurzel

10/10/2002 at 12:29

Hello Picketty, whats the furthest you have run so far, and have you run on the road?

Charlie O'B

10/10/2002 at 12:34

Being a newish runner myself i am not in a position to give you training advice, i will leave it to the more experienced runner. I do think you could do it without any problems though, anyway i found the best way to motivate myself is to enter a race. It gives me something to aim for.
I say go for it

N ick

10/10/2002 at 12:49

Picketty

There is a difference between running on a treadmil & on the road so if you haven't been outside you should do a couple. That said with your basic fitness you would be able to do 10k.

Brighton would be an excellent choise as there are loads of people off this forum doing it (not me I'm afraid) and lots of them are aiming to complete rather than win the thing - so you don't need to worry about being alone/last. The Brighton Reebok 10k thread is in the Events forum (I should warn you there are hundreds of messages so reading the thread may take longer than the race :-)

Go for it & have a great day

Picketty

10/10/2002 at 13:19

Wurzel,

The furthest I have run to date is 5.5k, but that was on the treadmill so none of the distractions and obstacles of running outside. I haven't really done much/any running on the road, mostly because of the embarrassment factor, but I guess if I am going to go in for this 10k I had better get used to it.

Thanks for the support and words of encouragement everyone.

10/10/2002 at 13:46

Picketty,

I find it far easier to run on the road than on a treadmill. You have scenery to look at and far more motivation re: achieving distance (you can't press the stop button & get off when your still a couple of miles from home).

Reb

10/10/2002 at 16:29

Picketty, was the 5.5k on the treadmill NON-STOP??!?! If so then its totally brilliant! If you can run half of a 10k non-stop then there's no way you'll have any problems! I have no intentions of running the Brighton race without stopping a couple of times! ;o)

Picketty

10/10/2002 at 16:46

Well actually, to be honest, I did have two 1 min walks, but when I try it again on Monday I'm going to run all the way. I have now entered the Brighton 10k so I'll see you there and we can keep each other moving, along with the rest of the URWFRC members. Is this your first time too? On Saturday I'm going to do my first proper run outside - so that really will be a test of how far I can run!

Reb

10/10/2002 at 16:48

Hi

I did the Great North Run last weekend in 2:29 so I was averaging 11 minute miles but I did a bit of walking. I find it impossible to fun without stopping for at least the first 3 miles!! Get some outside running in for sure, time goes quicker and you'll find in Brighton that the other people will buoy you along

happyslug

10/10/2002 at 23:16

Picketty -You're doing great!
I'd echo paul and say it's easier off the 'mill, I ran only indoors for ages, too embarrassed to go out- then one day, without much thought, I just go so hot and bored, I just got off, straight out the door and off I went!!
It felt weird at first, i didn't feel as if I was getting anywhere! - soon got used it though. Go for it I say!!

Word of warning - I came off the treadmill doing 30 mins plus of 8 minute miles with a burst of 7 min miles at the end, carried on doing 8min miles for up to 40 min runs, but made the mistake of slowing down in order to go further and never kept up my speed on shorter runs as well - result - I just did a 1/2 marathon in 2.5 hours was really pleased, but can't do faster than 11min miles!

PS make sure your shoes are good, it's probably more important on the road.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Velociraptor

10/10/2002 at 23:23

You can do it, Picketty. You're already doing very well. If someone plonked you down at the start line of a 10K now and said "run", you'd finish it.

Once you've bitten the bullet and hit the road, you'll never want to see the treadmill again. Outdoor running is a completely different experience. Don't be embarrassed. All the stares you receive will be of admiration and envy.

I'll repeat Happyslug's advice about the shoes. The road is a less forgiving surface than the treadmill, so if you're running in anything other than proper running shoes chosen with your own feet in mind from a specialist running shop, it's time to flex the plastic.

Cheers, V-rap.

Psi

10/10/2002 at 23:44

I'll third that motion about the shoes. Saying roads (specially badly-maintained ones) are less forgiving than the treadmill is like saying Hitler wasn't really very nice ;)

DannyM

10/10/2002 at 23:48

Agree totally with all the above but I would like to add something about going out on the road.

Try to make your first run a slowish one.

You will proberbly find that due to your treadmill running you will have a bit off trouble with pace judgement.

As has already been mentioned,you will feel like you are not really moving and will start running too fast.

I had this experience when after nearly a years treadmill running(I am recovering from a 'going out' problem)I ventured outside.

I set off like a complete lunatic(wrong word,considering)and ended up walking after 10 minutes.

Like everyone has stated though,once you run outside you will never look back.

Velociraptor

10/10/2002 at 23:51

After a year of road running, I still sometimes set off too fast and have to slow down after 50 yards.

Don't think I've EVER managed to stay on the treadmill for 5.5km. Respect, Picketty!

Maccy.

10/10/2002 at 23:59

Picketty

See you at Brighton - It will be only my second run in 25 years. There are 54million+ other people in this country who will be behind you!

Go for it!

Cheers

Mungus

11/10/2002 at 08:22

I'm fairly new to running and have only recently decided to enter a 10k. I know I can do the distance, I'm concentrating on working on pace at the moment. In the next 4 weeks, I'd concentrate on getting outside and gradually increasing the distance you do, but keeping it nice and steady, walking if required. You don't want to push yourself at this stage and risk injury or a blow to your confidence.
As for getting out when it's cold and dark, I always make a deal with myself e.g. long hot bath, chocolate, large glass of wine, as something to look forward to when I get back in. Once you get out the door, it's not so bad, you'll warm up quick enough. Plus no-one can see you in the dark!
Remember to enjoy yourself.

Wurzel

11/10/2002 at 08:27

Picketty,the consensus seems to be that you should go for it, but get some road miles done in the interim. Treat the first 10K as a long slow run and don't worry about your time, then you can spend the next few years doing PBs!
On a serious note, make sure that you have comfortable and tried and tested kit for your first race. The weather could be fairly chilly by then.

Picketty

11/10/2002 at 09:42

Thanks for all your advice everyone, I've now entered the Brighton 10K so hopefully I will see some of you there. I think the idea of a glass of wine and a hot bath after a run on a dark winters evening sounds very good - I'll be using that to keep myself motivated - especially if all this running means I can eat more chocolate too. I'm going out for a road run on Saturday so I'll keep you posted!

Will Power

11/10/2002 at 09:56

Picketty

I think you have made the right decision. I am a beginner too and can do 5 miles on the road quite easliy now (trying six this weekend). For me the biggest challenge was getting the '30 mins non stop' thing. It took me months to build that foundation but I now find adding to it (in small increments) fairly easy . Sounds to me like you have built the foundation and you can now progress too. I am entering the Brighton 10k (first time) and by all accounts its a good starter.

another bit of advice: keep checking into this board I find the advice and support here wonderful!!

Dragon Breath

11/10/2002 at 11:05

Picketty,

Good luck to you, it sounds to me like you are more than ready for the 10k. Mungus saying "no one can see you in the dark" is probably not a good idea, I assume she meant "no one can see you sweating in the dark but it's probably a good idea to have something reflective on so that you don't get taken out by passing cars".