What should I do after I finish C210K?

kgirlhart

I am a new runner. I started with C25K in October and then I moved on to C210K. I have 2 days left on C210K. I don't really know what my goal should be from here. I am really enjoying my run days and I would like to keep it up. I don't know if I should start half marathon training or not. Running for an hour is kind of a long time and I don't know that I want to increase my time. I live in Texas so it is about to get really hot. Usually in the summer I have to wait until at least 8:30 pm for it to be "cool" enough to walk and then I start losing the light so I may even need to decrease my time or stop running during the summer and start back up when it starts cooling down again. I'm just curious about what some others do after they complete C210K. I know it depends on what my goals are. I don't really know what my goal is. I just know that I would like to keep running. I still run pretty slow and I don't really know if I should be working on distance or speed.

pondee629

" I don't really know what my goal is. I just know that I would like to keep running."

Then... Just keep running. Speed comes after distance. If you need a goal, sign up for a race. From personal knowledge, Half Marathon training is difficult without a goal race. If you think you'd like to do a Half, sign up for one and train for it.

H_Ock12

Just run for the enjoyment of it! You could sign up for a fun 5k or 10k and compete. If you decide to run a half, you can always sign up in the future.

msf74

I did a half.

That helped with getting my 10K time down.

Then I focused on a specialised programme to get my 10k time down even further.

It was awesome.

Then life went a little pear shaped so I am back training for a regular 10k.

It's still awesome albeit in slow motion

spiriteagle99

Why not do some short races now that you have built your endurance a bit? There are a lot of fun 5ks, or you could try a 10k or short trail race. Those continue year around. I have a friend in San Antonio who runs 70+ short races a year. Racing can be surprisingly fun, and it can help motivate you to keep up your regular running. If you want to train to get faster, look for a 5 or 10k training plan that includes once or twice a week speed work (intervals, fartleks, and tempo runs).

Otherwise, just keep running. If you don't want to run long in the heat, do more frequent short runs. Do most of your runs easy, but perhaps one day a week, do some faster running. Strides are an easy way of incorporating a little speed work, but not so much that you're likely to get injured. Maybe look for some trails you can run for a change of pace. I find I don't mind heat as much in the summer, as long as I can run in shade. You do get more used to the heat when you do it every day.

StaciMarie1974

Keep running. Figure out how often you want to run each week, and how far or how much time. You could have some shorter runs, some longer. Find a 10k to compete in. And if you'd like to work up to doing a half marathon, then make one of your runs your 'long' run and add time/distance to that session each week.

TavistockToad

I run because I enjoy racing once or twice a year - races keep me running!

cwolfman13

Just keep running if you enjoy it...maybe sign up for a couple of races or something. You don't always have to be running a program.

kgirlhart

Thanks everyone! The next race that I know of here isn't until labor day weekend. I may just have to look around and find something I will have to travel to. That is one of the disadvantages of living in rural Texas. Maybe the heat won't be so bad. I had to shorten my walks last summer (I didn't start running until October), but that really was because my dog tends to get overheated. I don't take her running with me so maybe it won't be too bad for just me.

BrianSharpe

Congrats on getting to 10K, you'd be surprised by how few adults can run a mile let alone 6.2

If you don't have any specific goals in mind just keep running for the enjoyment of it, I wouldn't worry about speed work etc at this point. If you're not doing so already you may want to incorporate some cross training into your schedule (strength, cycling, swimming etc) for a bit of variety and to improve injury resistance.

If you have some local races you may want to think about entering one for the experience (I ran my first 5K at 52 and it changed my life). There's something magical about crossing the finish line and it's an experience I highly recommend even if you're not overly competitive.

As to summer time running (and it's not as hot here as it is in Texas) my solution is to run at 5AM while it's still nice and cool but I'm also a morning person and recognize that not everyone else is.

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MeanderingMammal

kgirlhart wrote: »

I am a new runner. I started with C25K in October and then I moved on to C210K. I have 2 days left on C210K. I don't really know what my goal should be from here. I am really enjoying my run days and I would like to keep it up. I don't know if I should start half marathon training or not. Running for an hour is kind of a long time and I don't know that I want to increase my time. I live in Texas so it is about to get really hot. Usually in the summer I have to wait until at least 8:30 pm for it to be "cool" enough to walk and then I start losing the light so I may even need to decrease my time or stop running during the summer and start back up when it starts cooling down again. I'm just curious about what some others do after they complete C210K. I know it depends on what my goals are. I don't really know what my goal is. I just know that I would like to keep running. I still run pretty slow and I don't really know if I should be working on distance or speed.

If you don't have a race to train for then just concentrate on getting consistent 10K steady pace sessions 3-4 times per week. That gives you a really solid basis for whatever you decide on.

Fwiw an hour for 10K is not to be sniffed at, that's a credible pace.

Once you're stable on 3-4 sessions per week you can put some thought to a bit of speed improvement by adding perhaps an intervals, cruise intervals or tempo session in.