Should I start 10k training?

I started running in May 2013 without an app, without a trainer, without a plan. I just listened to my body. Started really slow and ran lots of hill intervalls. I now run 9-11k regularly at a pace of 7-7.5min/km in hilly terrain. I love running through the forest and races don't appeal to me. I'm happy with my progress and for me it's not just for the cal burn, it's also the peace and quiet in nature that I love.

But the input of a trainer can surely help you if you are more ambitious than I am. He can give you ideas of different training possibilites and intervalls. He can also analyze your form while running. That can be very helpful. So it could be worth trying.

Me, I like a structured routine so I started on a C25K plan in July and am now running 5K three times a week (with a time of around 37-39 mins). Bear in mind I've never run before & am 51 yrs old!

I'm now wanting to increase my distance, so am using (again) a structured plan - the Bluefin Bridge to 10K program (designed for 5K 'graduates').

All of this is free online, so doesn't cost me anything, but I just feel more comfortable being 'given' instructions, rather than trying to plan it out myself! Hope that helps!

Should I try to improve this time on my own, or should I take the challenge of training for a 10k.

As a reasonably new runner the way that you're going to make most progress with 5K time is increasing the time on your feet, so increasing your mileage by session and in general. The easiest way to do that is to increase your distance to a consistent 10K.

Personally speaking I prefer running on my own so I preferred to move onto a 10Km improvement plan, and subsequently half marathon plan.

As you're using Runkeeper already have a look at their plans.

Sounds like you could get a lot out of the clinic. I wouldn't worry about being the "newbie". They probably separate people by pace and/or experience so you're with people at the same level.

Moving up to a 10k is just about increasing mileage (time on your feet) at a small enough increase to avoid injury. If you can do 5k, no worries that you can get yourself to 10k and beyond, if you want. You can certainly do this on your own, as well. A trainer and group can give you great knowledge and the social aspect.

My story: Started running in Jan. 2013. Stayed committed to running 3 times a week and ran my first half-marathon by November last year (5k and 10k races in between).

I'm now training for my third half-marathon, have a 10k race coming up in 3 weeks, and keep on running 3 times a week...distance per run varies from 3 miles to above 10 miles, depending on my training. I'm 43.

I am 49, female and for twenty plus years...I used to smoke a pack of cigarettes until a year and half ago. At that point, I could not run more than 100m without running out of air and today I am running 10+k three times a week without stopping or running out of air.

I successfully completed the free apps C25K and C210K and can highly recommend them. I did jump into the C210K app right at week 8 or so to not repeat all the "beginners'" exercises. So far I have completed two 10K races without any hiccups and now I am training for a half marathon.

I liked the structured approach of the two apps and for me it worked very well.

Do not be afraid of races! What helped me was to tell myself that I only wanted to finish them and not to compete with others. I was soooo proud after my first race and I did not care that others ran it much faster!

Today, I did the Grouse Grind here in Vancouver which is an iffy hike up a mountain that is very well known for being a very exhaustive stair climb. I "outran" my 15 year old niece and her friend and finished at just one hour, while the average time is 90 minutes. (They came twenty minutes after me)

So what I am trying to say it, training helps and you will get better. At the beginning I could not see a huge performance jump but now I am fitter than ever in my life. Small steps will lead to huge improvements in the long run, at least they did for me.

Last point, enough sleep and proper nutrition is half a race, in my opinion and to regularly get some rest days in helps prevent injuries.

Best of luck
Stef.

If you're a social kind of person, by all means, go to the 10k clinic. I am more of an introvert, and most of my training is done solo. However, I do like training with the people at Team In Training. It gives me an opportunity to put my running to good use (raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and help others out with their training.

I'd say go for it! If you can do 5k you should definitely be able to train for 10k no problem.

I'm also thinking about stretching out to a 10k. I started the C25k program a couple of months ago and went from being a non-runner at all, to running my first race and running 3 miles 3-4 days a week. Sunday is my 'long day' running. Once you get a base, it seems like adding time is really easy, you get in that zone where you're not getting more tired - you're just cruising. So after running for 45 minutes this morning...it made me realize that doing a 10k is definitely doable. It sounds crazy to me, because 3 months ago 10k might as well have been a half marathon to me.

I want to do another 5k in October and November, but I'm definitely going to keep pushing my mileage up and look to tackle a 10k early next year. In the one race I ran, I realized I ran at a faster pace than i train at...so I definitely want to be sure I'm fully ready....