Race targets for a newbie

Ouchette

Hi all,

I've just agreed to running a 5k race with the guys at work, and then my boss roped me into a 10k too because she wanted a 'proper' challenge :eek:. I've never run a race before and I'm still new to running! Neither race is until late spring/early summer, so I've got loads of time. But as I've just finished couch to 5k and already accidentally ran 9.5k when I went and got lost one night :o I need a goal beyond just getting around the course or I'll get bored and give up.

What might be a decent time to aim for? Like maybe about 25 minutes for the 5k and 55 minutes fir the 10k? I've got no idea how fast my speed is likely to improve.

I'm 30 and female. At the moment, it takes me about 32 minutes to run/jog 5k at a comfortable pace. I'm about to move onto the bridge to 10k programme so I'll be running for up to an hour 3 times a week, as well as walking about 5k a day and doing 2 hours a week of martial arts. After bridge to 10k... I dunno. same again but with faster bits or something.

Would love to be able to say I ran these races not just jogged them :cool:

robinph

Get in some sneaky racing practice before hand to get the upper-hand on those you'll be racing against. You may not be interested in the cross country races which are on now, but the BHAA have a 5km on the paths around Marlay Park in December, and a quick perusal of the events sub-forum should throw up some other races you could have a bash at.

Ouchette

robinph wrote: »

Get in some sneaky racing practice before hand to get the upper-hand on those you'll be racing against. You may not be interested in the cross country races which are on now, but the BHAA have a 5km on the paths around Marlay Park in December, and a quick perusal of the events sub-forum should throw up some other races you could have a bash at.

Cheers. Getting in some sneaky practice is very much the plan. I might have a liiiiittle tiny competitive streak. All good if it keeps me motivated through the winter I reckon!

The races are going to be charity fun runs the guys at work will be helping to promote, so any cross country stuff would have to be in addition to them. Also, I've moved to London now, so the nearest cross country event I know of now is called the Hell Run...think I'll leave that for now tbh!

robinph

Even London must have some muddy fields somewhere nearby:

http://www.dulwichrunners.org.uk/fixtures.html

Just the fist club I clicked on from this list:

http://www.020.co.uk/r/running/london.shtml

Joining a club is a good idea, but I didn't see the point a couple of years ago until Woddle came along with his daft ideas. Their websites can be handy for finding out about local races though, even if you don't want to actually join the club.

xebec

Ouchette, check out ParkRun.org.uk for some local, (usually) weekly, free 5k races around London and further afield. These are supposed to be great races and will help keep the motivation up when you need it most!

Ouchette

Thanks, but what I was really asking is how fast can I realistically expect to run after 6 months training. Finding a race isn't a problem.

xebec

Ouchette wrote: »

Thanks, but what I was really asking is how fast can I realistically expect to run after 6 months training. Finding a race isn't a problem.

Ah ok. To be honest, how long is a piece of string? How fast you run on race day depends on lots of things. With you being able to run 5k in 32 minutes I would expect you to go under 30 minutes in a race - but you'd have to push yourself. Then again it may be possible that you'll get closer to 25 minutes. The only real answer you're going to get to that question is by putting in the 6 months training and doing the race. Everyone progresses at different rates and there can be lots of other things that affect the result...

Mr Slow

Check out Hal Higdon's website, he has plans to suit every level, running to a programme will really help with focus too

Ouchette

xebec wrote: »

Ah ok. To be honest, how long is a piece of string? How fast you run on race day depends on lots of things. With you being able to run 5k in 32 minutes I would expect you to go under 30 minutes in a race - but you'd have to push yourself. Then again it may be possible that you'll get closer to 25 minutes.

Hehe, I was afraid that would be the answer. The thing is, an arbitrary target is fine- I just need a target- any target! So for now I'll split it and take 27 minutes as my goal.

I'll check out the Hal Higdon link too, so thanks for that mrslow.