I've not been any big fan of running in the past, unless someone was chasing me :lol: but I went for a run a couple of days ago and really enjoyed myself.

I've been working on the elliptical for over a month now and felt like I had probably built up my stamina, but of course, hitting the road is always a different story and I didn't really know how my knees and shins would hold up.

Anyway, I had a set point in mind that I wanted to jog to without stopping, which I did. Then I walked for about 1 minute before jogging back home. To my surprise, I was faster on the way home. I had no idea how far I had gone so I went out in the car later to check with the odometer. I turned out to be 2.5 miles right on the nose. It worked out to about an average of 10 minutes per mile. Now granted, this is no great distance, or time, but I felt like I did it with relative ease and it was certainly much improved over what I would have been able to do just a few short months ago. I was especially glad that I did not get any shin splints or lower back pain as I had in the past when I went out for a random (unconditioned) jog.

I think tomorrow I'm going to go for 3 miles with no stopping and will try to keep the same pace. If I do this OK, I might sign up for a local 5k fun run just for grins. If I still like it, I may set my goals a little higher.

My question is, how much time would it take, basically starting from scratch, to prepare for say a 10K? There is a local one in late March but I'm wondering if that might be too much too soon. I don't mind pushing myself toward a goal, but I want to make sure it is a realistic one.

Thats awesome Sean. I enjoy running myself. I am by far no expert but I have read online that you should increase around 10% per month or so. This worked a little slow for me so what I did was just add 1/4 mile every week or 2 and get used to it. If it was no problem then I would add some more. You will hit that point where that last 1/2 mile or so is really getting tiring, then you will know to stay at that level for a while before increasing again.

This site helped figure distances

mapmyrun.com

Hi there cool stuff sean. Ideally you don't increase more than 10% per week and maybe every fourth week stay at same level to recuperate a bit. Just keep a steady pace at the moment not too much speed so you build a good base and stay injury free. Check out this 10km training plan if you like :)

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-259-1117-0,00.htm

When I started running I couldn't go any more than a couple blocks without stopping. The first month or so I increased my distance 10x or maybe more (can't remember). I guess just like weight lifting I had some "newbie gains". After that I just listened to my body. If I felt ok I'd go a bit further than last. I didn't follow any plan. I would think you could be ready for a 10k by March but that's just guessing. If the race has a 5k option and they'll let you change a week or so before the race maybe you could sign up for the 10k with full intentions of doing it but make the final decision the week before.

My question is, how much time would it take, basically starting from scratch, to prepare for say a 10K? There is a local one in late March but I'm wondering if that might be too much too soon. I don't mind pushing myself toward a goal, but I want to make sure it is a realistic one.

Here is a great link. (http://www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm)

Here is a great link. (http://www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm)

I'll second that. I followed his novice half marathon plan last year thanks to a link provided by Coachese. I plan to try his full marathon plan starting this spring. I would've posted that link myself but I didn't think he had one for 10k.

Here is a great link. (http://www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm)

I'll third that!:lol:
I also followed his half marathon program in the fall. I found it easier to go from 5k distance to 10k distance than I did going from no running to 5k. I remember it was brutal starting out and I still remember the first time I finished 2 miles I thought I was going to die. Once I was able to consistantly do 3 miles consistantly it was pretty easy to add miles every couple of weeks. And I by no means a running type. (6 feet tall and 245-250 pounds)

-bmac

I'll third that!:lol:
I also followed his half marathon program in the fall. I found it easier to go from 5k distance to 10k distance than I did going from no running to 5k. I remember it was brutal starting out and I still remember the first time I finished 2 miles I thought I was going to die. Once I was able to consistantly do 3 miles consistantly it was pretty easy to add miles every couple of weeks. And I by no means a running type. (6 feet tall and 245-250 pounds)

-bmac

OH man just getting up to 2 miles killed me too.. ahh the memories of last summer!
Now 1 mile is a breeze.... Getting past 3 miles will take a little bit for me. Oh well..training for me is in full effect baby. 4 miles here I come!

I'll add my $.02...

1) Don't try to do too much too soon. As Jedi said, a 10% increase from week to week is good. Anything more and you are risking an injury which will set you back faster than the slower build-up would take.

2) It's better to run slower than faster while training. Save your speed for no more than one run per week. You don't always need to "beat yesterday." Slow and steady doesn't win the race... but it finishes it.

3) If at all possible, avoid the treadmill. It is nothing like running in the real world, either from a physical aspect or a mental one. Get outside and enjoy the world around you. It's what keeps us going.

10k prep time is entirely based on your current fitness and ability to withstand the pounding of running. 25 min for 2.5 miles out of the gates is not bad. IF you can continue to put in a lot of miles without problems (most people will have to build up slowly), then in theory you could start putting in a long run every week and intervals and all that and turn out a really great 10k time in as little as 6 weeks.

If you're like most people, you could likely build up in 6 weeks but not with a super fast time, but it depends on you more than anything.