RunningAHEAD - Topic: 5k then 10k a week later?

Halby

posted: 7/16/2008 at 5:41 PM
modified: 7/17/2008 at 11:32 AM

First post, so please bear with me. What's the wisdom on running a 5k a week before a 10k for someone at my fitness level. I've been running somewhat inconsistently for about 14 years. I've been running a consistent 20 MPW since April and recently bumped up to 25 MPW with no ill effects. My short term goal is a sub 50 min 10k. I ran a very conservative 56:37 in May after about 6 weeks of decent running and while recovering from strep throat. My plan is to get a solid 25 MPW base (running 5 times per week with a 8-9 mile long run, and one tempo/interval run) by the end of July and keep at it and run a goal race in Oct. in cool fall weather. With my wife and 2 small kids out of town, I will have the luxury of two free weekends to race the last weeks of August. I was thinking of running a 5k on the first free weekend (my last 5k was 12 years ago so pacing will be an issue) but I'm concerned that I will overdo it and have a horrible 10k the next weekend. Am I asking for trouble running two races with 6 days in between to recover?

modal

posted: 7/16/2008 at 5:57 PM

I don't think it should be a problem. See how you feel.

Vim

Hannibal Granite

posted: 7/16/2008 at 6:32 PM

Shouldn't be a problem

"You NEED to do this" - Shara

Mulks

posted: 7/16/2008 at 6:46 PM

I say go for it!

- Tony

Ennay

A Saucy Wench

posted: 7/16/2008 at 7:07 PM

should be ok, recovery from a 5K doesnt take that long usually

I have become Death, the destroyer of electronic gadgets

"When I got too tired to run anymore I just pretended I wasnt tired and kept running anyway" - dd, age 7

Halby

posted: 7/17/2008 at 8:44 AM

Thanks for the responses. I'll give it a shot.

MikeB-BoR

posted: 7/19/2008 at 12:25 AM
modified: 7/19/2008 at 12:33 AM

I'm in a similiar situation. I had been training for a HM on the 26th and have decided to run a 10.4k race tommorow night because lots of my friends are. I'm figuring since I usually do my longs each weekend anyway and I won't push myself too hard I should be fine for the HM. Or...at least I hope so... Mike

Goals :
•Drop to 180 #s and hold steady around that weight

RunAsics

The Limping Jogger

posted: 7/20/2008 at 9:53 PM

In general, your training in the weeks and months prior to these races will dictate your performance. So, even if you blow a gasket in the 5k, you'll be well recovered for the 10k. Pacing is key for the 10k. Heck, I've run all out in a 5k and PR'ed and then PR'ed in a 10k the following weekend, then ran a good 5k the next weekend. For me, the weather a more a factor than recovery in such cases.

"Only a few more laps to go and then the action will begin, unless this is the action, which it is."

Viich

posted: 7/22/2008 at 7:14 PM

Quote from RunAsics on 7/20/2008 at 9:53 PM:

In general, your training in the weeks and months prior to these races will dictate your performance. So, even if you blow a gasket in the 5k, you'll be well recovered for the 10k. Pacing is key for the 10k. Heck, I've run all out in a 5k and PR'ed and then PR'ed in a 10k the following weekend, then ran a good 5k the next weekend. For me, the weather a more a factor than recovery in such cases.

True, but it's really hard to maintain a peak like that for any longer than that. It hurts, anyway. You just made me remember walking on to university XC less than a year after I started running.

5k then 10k a week later? (Read 522 times)