Sticking to a training schedule? (10k)

rayofsunshine99

For those of you who have run 10k's (or even HM's or Marathons) do you stick to running schedules or do you kind of keep up what you're doing, and just add more running?

Basically, all of the schedules I see, have running most days of the week.  I typically do a mix of other things too (Spin and Boot Camp, for instance) and don't want to swap them for running.  I still get a major cardio workout from both of them (and boot camp incorporates strength too) so I am wondering if this will be fine, or if I should stick to strictly running, aside from the Cross training days designated on the 10k training schedule?

Thoughts? 

KeweenawLove

I think it really depends on how much running your body can handle. If I try to run 5 or 6 days a week, I start getting burned out, my legs are tired all the time, and all my workouts suffer. Instead, I only run 4 days a week and make those workouts count. I'm trying for a marathon right now and my weeks usually been 1) long run, 2) track workout or hills, 3) tempo, 4) easy distance run, 5) swim, 6) swin 7) off (not in that order) or something similar. Hopefully that answers your question.

shorty20

I think you're fine to continue bootcamp and your other activities.  What plans have you looked at?  I've trained for almost all of my races by running 3 days a week, so there is plenty of time leftover for other forms of cross training.  I normally use the Smart Coach plans off of runnersworld.com FWIW.

MrsE120807

Hal Higdon's 10k plan only has you run 3 days per week. You could do spin on your crosstrain days and bootcamp on your strength training days. ETA: I followed this for my first 10K last March and felt strong when I finished. I'm following it again now (I've only gotten back up to 4 miles since knee surgery) and feel great so far.

JW28

I didn't have any sort of formal training plan, but I recently raced a 10k (and PRed it) after running 3-4 days per week with CrossFit on MWF. I was doing 2-4 miles on Tues/Thurs and 4-5 on the weekend (with a single 6 mile run 2 weeks before). So if you're anything like me, you can absolutely keep doing Spin and Boot Camp, and run on the other days. Just make sure you get in one longer run per week to make sure you can handle the mileage.

gt7301b

For a 10K you can absolutely do those things.  If you decide to run longer than 10K it gets hard to improve your speed and focus on the other workouts.  My next race is a half and I know that I could be faster if I focused more on running, but I enjoy doing a variety of workouts more than I enjoy running. 

rayofsunshine99

Awesome, that's what I was hoping.  Thanks everyone!! 

hikerbeth

When I trained for a 10K, I did 2 evening runs and then one longer weekend run per week.  I also teach group fitness so I was doing other cardio and strength classes every day of the week.

Worked out well for me.

kirkette

I am horrible at sticking to training schedules.