OP here - thanks for all the advice. Just got my email that I was picked in the lottery for Cherry Blossom! Holy crap, now I actually have to do this

And another Higdon person - used his program last year to train for a 1/2. I'd been running for more than 20 years, but always shorter distances. I had no problem working my way up to 13 in 12 weeks. The Cherry Blossom is crowded, but I didn't mind it.

Another huge Hal Higdon fan.

You'll be fine. I'd recommend a race other than Cherry Blossom, though. it's gotten way too overcrowded and is no longer a great experience, IMO.

Anonymous wrote:I used the Hal Higdon 15K plan to train for the Army Ten Miler. Had never run one before and started out with less mileage under my belt than you - worked great and I finished feeling strong; about same pace as you're running (9:30 miles). http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51126/15K-10-mile-Training-Guide

Good luck! It's a great feeling when you cross that finish line!

+1
I used his program for a marathon. Started at the end of June with a base of 6 miles and worked it right up to race on Halloween. You're in great shape, both with your base running and with the calendar, to do well at the Cherry Blossom.

I second the rec for Hal Higdon's training plans. I can't run more than three days a week because otherwise my back spasms like crazy, but with the running and the crosstraining I always felt prepared for the races.

I used the Hal Higdon 15K plan to train for the Army Ten Miler. Had never run one before and started out with less mileage under my belt than you - worked great and I finished feeling strong; about same pace as you're running (9:30 miles). http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51126/15K-10-mile-Training-Guide

Good luck! It's a great feeling when you cross that finish line!

If you're already running 15 miles a week and you've done a 10K, you're a great candidate for a 10-miler. I wish all my friends who wanted to run 10 were as prepared as you!

I just did a 10-miler training plan for a friend. Each week, increase your current long run by 0.5-1 miles, depending on when you start training. Ideally you'll increase your total mileage or your long run mileage by 10% or less each week. And you want your long run to be no more than about 1/2 of your total mileage. (So do 2 midweek runs that are shorter, but ideally you probably want to get up to about 20 miles a week total.) sometimes after a really long run, I like to drop the long run back a bit the next week.

So for example, your long runs for a 12 week training plan could be 5 miles, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 8, 11, 8, 12 (longest run), 8 (taper), 6 (taper). But you can play it by ear depending on what other commitments you have during your training season.

Your longest run mileage can depend on your goal. If you just want to finish the race, get up to 8 or 9 miles in training. (with your longest run 2-3 weeks before the race.) The race day momentum can get you to 10. If you want your 10 miles to feel a little more effortless, get up to 10 miles in training. And if you want to really work on on a great time, get up to 12 miles in training for a 10-mile race. make sure you taper for a week or two before the race, with shorter long runs, like 7-8 miles and 5-6 miles. Then take it a little easy the week after the race, as your legs should be tired.

Also, if you don't get into Cherry Blossom (it's a lottery), sign up for the GW Parkway 10-miler. It's a great race. Army 10-miler fills up instantly, so be prepared to sign up at the time it opens on the day it opens.

Defintely. You could do it now, I think. I have done both of these several times and took me about 9 months but that was starting as a non- runner. If you have a base of 2 miles, that is where it starts.

I found a guide on-line (specifically for 10 miles) but have never found it again as I wanted to give to friends. My old copy says you run 4x a week and cross train 2x and one day of rest. I ran 5 days, walked 1x, and one day of rest. It is mostly 2, 2, 4. And then 3,3, 5. Then maybe 5, 3, 5 with a 4 th long run at 7 or 8 miles. The furthest I ran before the race was 8.5 as that was my longest loop near my house.

It is more about consistency. You do need a few 7+ Miles runs but you don't need the entire 10 before the race. The first mile you are swamped with the group and the last mile you will be psyched to finish. So, if you can run 8, you've got it!

Hope this helps. This worked for me but I am not an athlete and came to running late so could have done it wrong. Runners Magazine is an easy read for motivation and tips.

I think you should be fine, and with that base you should have plenty of time to get from 6 to 10 miles by spring. There are lots of great training programs - if you don't find a good one for a 10 miler, look for a half marathon program and then just cut out the last few weeks / modify it to make a 10 mile goal.

I think with 2 years of 15 miles/week and a successful 10K, that the challenge of a 10 miler for you is definitely more mental than physical at this point.

good luck with your training!

Anyone have words of wisdom for someone who's relatively new to running (been doing it seriously for 2 years) wanting to work their way up to a 10 miler? I run about 15 miles a week and have successfully completed a 10K. I've been doing great with improving my times for short races (PR is currently hovering around 28 mins for a 5K) but for longer races my goal is just to finish without stopping. Friends are bugging me to consider Cherry Blossom or Army next year. How should I train? Is this something I can realistically work my way up to between now and the spring/summer race schedule?