I decided after my 10k success in june to try for a 10 mile training plan starting in July with an October goal (for a virtual medal as I cannot make gsr). Obviously the summer holidays were a blip in the training with kids on bikes being my support team (in fact I kind of miss their company). Hubs has knackered his knee and is awaiting surgery so runs otherwise are solo 😭 Anyway I plodded on with increasing distances and varying pace although the my asics plan did keep me at 6.5 miles a lot with the odd 8.5 miler or 9.5miler thrown in which breached my 10% rule. I found 8.5 miles tough with a blister being caused by my trainers so new trainers were purchased. Not great at the end of a training schedule trying to get used to new gait trainers compared to the old. So today was a scheduled 9.5 miles which is so close to 10 miles really isn't it? Fuelling has been a learning curve, who on earth can chew haribos without choking and run when drinking, well not me! I allowed myself three quick walk breaks at 2.5 miles, 5.5 miles and 8.5 miles for fuelling which worked ok. The last 1.5 miles was tough as my legs were tired and I had to go further than I thought to get the distance as the mapometer was 0.65 miles out compared to my garmin, grr! But I got there and covered 10 miles in 1 hr 47 min. However I had three short quick walks to fuel so does it count? My legs have been training hard with constant longer runs so I am looking forward to taking the pressure off. But what next? I am not sure I am ready for 13 miles just yet.....
Bridge to 10 miles, success or not? - Bridge to 10K
Bridge to 10 miles, success or not?
Well done! Walking breaks are good! Don't worry about them, they get you to the end,which is what is all about 🙂
Ten miles is a gnat's off the half marathon and you can do it. Just train for it slowly and gradually
It's getting your body used to doing the longer distances 🙂👍✔️🏃♀️
My body feels happier with 10k now with this training but it does feel weak at 10 miles. I guess more training is needed to feel stronger. I will see how my legs feel tomorrow lol.
Of course it counts! Run/walk is a great method for covering longer distances. I have every intention of doing the GSR as 5 blocks of 3k with 2 minutes between and a final finishing "sprint"....
I haven't really had to add walk breaks in before as it is only this longer distance where I need fuelling. Fortunately I haven't yet hit the brick wall but my legs were like lead at the end lol. It is nice to see that others use this method for longer distances, my method today was the first time.
Well done! Yes it most definitely does count!
From what I have read many many people take walks, it is entirely up to the individual 🏃🏻♀️🏅
I was really struggling on longer runs until someone much more experienced looked at me and asked what I was using for fueling. 'Fueling?' I asked. He looked at me pityingly and said, 'There's your problem then.' As I can neither eat without choking myself nor drink without drowning myself while running, I stop and walk. My ideal for this is every 3km. I worked this out because by 5km I was already getting a bit tired, and he said the knack is to fuel before you are tired. I walk for almost a quarter of a km, sometimes, depending on how long I faff with water and whatever I'm eating. Yes, it slows me down, but I have noticed that my next km is faster, so the rest does me good. Anyway, it works for me - experiment until you have your own best model.
Thank you, that is useful as fuelling is new to me. I was running 10k without fuel or water but longer than that I feel the need. I am trying different foods and this is the first time I tried a strategy of sorts. I will keep trying. I don't fancy gels as I have ibs and don't wish to aggrevate that!!!
I never bothered for 10k. I can't do gels either, I find them very sickly and too sweet. I have a mixture of Clif Shok Bloks which are like squares of jelly but not as sweet or chewy as jelly babies, and a Meridian peanut and coconut bar which is more protein, I guess, although this takes a lot longer to be absorbed, someone said. Some people use dried fruit such as dates or mango, and some make their own flapjack or buy it because oats and sugar are a good combo! The thing is to try things out and see what works for you 
Run some hilly terrain as it helps with your fitness and legs. Run em slow, taking small steps.
Have fun 🙂🏃♀️
I hate hills 🤣 Not too many hills round my way but a couple of steep ones are in nearby streets. I do add them in my route but i guess I will have to try harder!
I don't repeat them 🙂 I know Hill repeats are good for you but I would rather keep going and then run up another one en route
Even undulations are good 👍✔️ 🙂 I hated hills but as you get fitter they get easier. You catch your breath on the way up as you need to. Stop, admire the view, kick on ✔️
Thank you, I like the idea of a quick stop to stretch and admire the view!!!
Stretch! Good idea
You can look back down The Hill you just ran up 😃
I have a Slope here called Mile Hill which bores me to death so I avoid it like the plague 😃 A hill with a view is going to be a better bet 👍
Well done and of course is counts! Taking walk breaks is entirely down to individual choice - many find it works well for them; some prefer not to (I find it affects my rhythm so prefer to just ease off my pace a bit). Also, you will find you are less tired the more long training runs you do but also listen to your body - it does take time to develop those running legs! 🙂
Thank you for your kind advise. It is easy to get despondent when the legs are struggling and nice to be reminded that it does take time to develop. I need to decide what to do now I have managed a 10 mile. Do I keep plodding in this same manner, maintaining this distance or move upwards but that seems scary?
I think unless you are training for a specific event, then you don't need to keep increasing. You could, if you wanted, start to throw in an 8 miler every few weeks to consolidate and keep that endurance there and then increase your training nearer to a specific event. ...I on the other hand am still building back up to 10k after injury. I do really miss the long runs I went on last winter and spring 🙁 but hope to get back to them (and hopefully a local HM in the spring). Sounds like a spring HM might be a good goal for you too? (don't tell me you're not tempted!)🙂
Short, fast runs, e.g. 3k is useful. ,mix it,up. As regards your longer run just increase using the ten per cent rule. I would do that slowly! Enjoy it 🙂
Thanks misswobble I will look to stick with the 8-10 mile longer run and mix up the other one or two runs a week. I may look at the Southampton hm in April if my 10 miles are feeling better in the next couple of months!
Yes it definitely counts if you walk to take on fuel! Congratulations on your 10miles
Thank you! Now I need my legs to feel stronger over that distance and to perfect my fuelling. I have a fuelbelt that I have yet to try. That's got to beat holding a bottle and stuffing dates inside my running tights lol.
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