My first 10k..advice needed! (absolute beginner)

zooming

Hi all,
I have been jogging (plodding) for about 18 months, starting at the very rock bottom, over that time I have gradually increased my running and feel I could manage a 10k, I am slow, but my main goal was weight loss, I have lost 6 stone and another 10lbs or so to go and the running has helped me enormously. I was thinking about the Dublin womens mini marathon in June, at my current pace I could do this in 75 mins, but I dont want to be last! Im quite happy to plod round and enjoy it. Can anyone tell me is this a good first timers event? Its very scary for a wee fatty to attempt!

menoscemo

zooming wrote: »

Hi all,
I have been jogging (plodding) for about 18 months, starting at the very rock bottom, over that time I have gradually increased my running and feel I could manage a 10k, I am slow, but my main goal was weight loss, I have lost 6 stone and another 10lbs or so to go and the running has helped me enormously. I was thinking about the Dublin womens mini marathon in June, at my current pace I could do this in 75 mins, but I dont want to be last! Im quite happy to plod round and enjoy it. Can anyone tell me is this a good first timers event? Its very scary for a wee fatty to attempt!

If you did the mini marathon in 75 minutes you'd be far from last, in fact you'd be in the top 10% i'd imagine.

huskerdu

The womens mini-marathon is a great event for a first race.

Its a great atmosphere, and in 75 minutes, you will be home before about 30,000 of the 40,000 participants.

You will get a great buzz out of it, which hopefully will motivate you to run even more.

zooming

Aww you guys are great!!!
There are some local 10k races to me but I know alot of the runners will be fast and therefore make me feel crappy!!! So I think I will sign up when forms come out. You guys are amazing!

RoyMcC

Zooming that is great weight loss, well done [URL="javascript:emoticon(':applause:')"][/URL][URL="javascript:emoticon(':applause:')"][/URL]

As the previous posters have said the mini marathon is a perfect starting point and consists of all abilities (and none). You'll enjoy every minute.

Get signed up and send us a report afterwards.

zooming

does anyone know a good plan i could follow to improve my time?

RoyMcC

zooming wrote: »

does anyone know a good plan i could follow to improve my time?

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51122/10-K-Training-Guide-Novice-Program

Wally Runs

Zooming, there are many schedules out there and any one is as good as good as the other at this point in your running. Take the time build up a solid base so that your running is part of your weekly routine and it will feel like less of a battle to get out. If you feel up to it throw in some speed work and increase it over time. You know up the pace for a few minutes every week.

BUT most of all, as it gets tougher remember why you are doing it and that no matter how bad you feel about the prospect of going out for your run, it is nothing compared to kicking yourself that you did not do it!

One last thing enjoy the race, you will never have that 'finishing' your first race feeling again, it is pure gold. You are an athlete now!

hot to trot

Congratulation on awesome achievement so far. Go You !

Where are you based? I have heard so many people disappointed with the Dublin womens mini marathon because it is so congested and they didnt get to run or jog or walk at the pace they wanted to get into their stride. Also having to travel back after it because of work commitments next day.

Castlebar have a womens race the May weekend and it is also a super event and is on the Sunday so that you wont have to worry about travelling back the same night. It is a mix of all abilities and would be worth considering as an alternative.
Good luck which ever race you decide to do. You are already a winner:D

DriverMad

Hi Zoomings,
Well done on all your running to date. I was new to running 2 years ago so still a novice. The best advice I got was not to push too hard. Take ur time. Regarding the 10 k, you won't be last. As is mentioned above, I would recommend local races too. Less packed and more enjoyable.

Enjoy. Don't forget to enjoy it.

upthe19th

Hi Zoomings,

I could not recommend doing a 10k race highly enough.

I'm new to this forum, in fact this is my first post here. Took up running 10 weeks ago in November 2011. Hoping to do Dublin City marathon this year in october.

Ran my first 10k yesterday in Enniscorthy. I train alone unfortunately but the race was brilliant yesterday. Such a help running with others.

Knocked 6 minutes off my best 10k training time (approx 48m 30s), but very hard to resist trying to keep up with faster runners.

Get out there, get involved and run your race, everyone else is running theirs.

The very best of luck with it and enjoy the buzz of it all

zooming

Thanks guys!
Its so great to get encouragement, I am in Armagh, and there are a number of 10k events around here most of the summer, i had wanted to try a bigger event first, to get my bearings and feel the atmosphere. im going to register once its open.

Thanks!!!!

RoyMcC

RoyMcC wrote: »

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51122/10-K-Training-Guide-Novice-Program

I'm following this and finding it fine so far (4 weeks in). Really enjoying it tbh.

Before this I did the C25k and loved it.

Good luck.