From PR Aspirations to Form Revelation: My Journey Through 10K Training

I learned many different lessons during my latest block of 10K training. The biggest lesson I learned is related to running form. I am a “taller” runner these days. My hips are up and forward. I am equipped to take on my next marathon with this in mind.

This past week, I have learned a lot about pacing and have been reminded that GPS is not always 100% reliable.

In my second 10K time trial attempt, the GPS failed me. I kept speeding up in mile 2 to keep pace, and it felt too fast. Since I knew roughly where I was on my course, I estimated that 1/10 of a mile was missing on my watch. After my run, I discovered GPS was only available for about one mile, and the remaining eight-tenths (0.7 mile, according to the watch) did not have GPS sync.

I cut my third attempt for a 10K PB short. GPS was on point, but my HR wasn't. Chasing a PB from November 2021 might be too big of a leap. PR'ing my 5K (from December 2021) and race predictor calculators are confounding the issue. The reality is that my 10K pace runs in this training block have been all over the place and not sustainable for 6.2 miles. My most recent (March 2023) 10K PR was during the Oakland Half marathon (55:26). I will take one more attempt (this time at a sub 55) and call this block done. I've gone from attempting sub 52, to sub 53, to sub 53:48, to sub 55. I've lost interest and rather be marathon training right now. Marathon training gave me my most recent PR in the 10K. I prefer the volume over the speed at this time.

While the 10K time trial issues have been frustrating, I am happy with the 5K PR I achieved during this training block. I also have an 8K time trial in the books, which is a nice reference point. My biggest takeaway is the improvement in my running form. It’s worth the frustration from the 10K time trial.

Do you have any training breakthroughs to share? Please let me know in the comments below.


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