first 10k

page19 · October 22nd, 2007, 12:43 PM

I'm doing my first 10k in about a week
I've ran that distance several times before, but never with other people / the setting might be a bit different for me

Any advice on how to do my best, things to do to get ready in the week or days following up, mentally or physically?

if not ,just wish me goodluck!

**justaguy87337** · October 22nd, 2007, 01:03 PM

good luck page, I never have run that far in a race. I will be running in a 1/2 marathon this June, and have no idea how to help. Plenty of sleep, water, and carbs the night before is about as good as advice as I can give.

page19 · October 23rd, 2007, 01:12 PM

Anybody else have any insight?

If you have a run you want to perform your best on, what would the running schedule be for the week before? How much time off before the day? 0, 1, 2 days?

**pliny_2001** · October 23rd, 2007, 03:39 PM

I don't have any scientific info, though there are a ton of run calculators online. For a 5k, I don't take too many steps beforehand - I won't schedule in a heavy leg workout the night before (I may do heavy upper body, though), and I won't spin or do a fast run the day before. If it's been a crappy day and I want to get my gym on, I might spend a half hour on the elliptical the night before. Or if I'm tired I'll just take that night off and do nothing.

Never done a 10k, though my running friends tell me it's time to suck it up - I want to break 20:00 on a 5k before I start increasing distances, though.

Good luck - what kind of time are you aiming for?

page19 · October 23rd, 2007, 05:06 PM

To be honest I've never timed myself on a run that long before, so I really don't even know what time I'm aiming for. Usually if I'm running a longer distance, I'll keep track of my progression / overall distance, but not time--it makes it easier to reach my goal, instead of seeing that I'd run x-minutes and deciding to give in early.

But, to double my avg 5k time, I guess I'm aiming for about 42-46 minutes. If it's higher, that's fine, I'm more in this for the experience and fun, I'm not ready to get out and run for first place here. <---honest

No reason not to do all the I can to to my best though!

**pliny_2001** · October 23rd, 2007, 08:02 PM

When I'm running a distance, I always try to beat my previous time on it - I guess that my style's pretty competitive (even though my times aren't, lol). I won't quit when I hit a particular time, only when I finish the length. I just use the time as a motivation to pick it up.

And I desperately want to get more than those age-group ribbons. I want metal (without breaking down and running Clydesdale) - just not built like a runner, though, so it's a pretty tough slog.

page19 · October 26th, 2007, 06:16 AM

Hah, looks like I'm working tomorrow instead. Damnit all. I'll just go for a nice long-ass run on sunday all by myself.

OBE · November 1st, 2007, 03:30 PM

When I ran my first 10K (San Diego Turkey Trot '96) instead of
pushing myself for a 'best time' I ran about a 1/2-1 mile at
a comfortable pace then looked for the nicest butt that was
running at about the same pace, got behind her and enjoyed
the view for the rest of the race.
I don't run to race, I run for the enjoyment and exercise . . .
oh yeah and the view!

**gunshowbabe** · November 1st, 2007, 03:37 PM

I've never ran a race that length before but if you can do it already you should have no problem. To me races seem shorter with a big crowd... it's almost as if they push along the way... next thing you know it's already over. I wouldn't worry about it : )

Good luck too!

**angelfaces** · November 1st, 2007, 09:09 PM

I don't know much about the physical practical side of things here regarding specific diet workouts etc, but emotionally mentally I know that determination can also fuel u like nothing else, by that I mean seriously rockhard strong determination to just push yourself and run like you've never run b4!