So you've done a 5K? Congratulations! That's a huge accomplishment and you should be proud. If you're like me and most other runners on the planet, I suspect you're hooked and you've already started plotting your next race.
Maybe it's another 5K, which is great. But if you are looking to move up and go farther, the next logical step is a 10K.
It can be a frightening prospect, but just think about how daunting 3.1 miles sounded when you first started. Here's the thing, after finishing your first 5K race believe it or not, you have acquired some pretty important skills to put in your pocket for every race in your future. Don't believe me? Just think about it.
More: 4 Tips on Running Your Best 10K
The first race is usually the hardest. You have no idea what to expect. You're not even sure how to fasten your bib to your shirt or how that silly-looking timing chip works. Getting to the start is pretty nerve-racking, and waiting for the gun to sound can seem like forever.
You take off and you're not sure if you're going too fast or too slow. You don't know how long it will be before the first water station. You try not to bump into other runners. You fumble with your iPod, and you might even question if you'll be able to finish or run the whole thing without stopping. I'm sure you can relate, right?
But then something happens. You get into a groove. You settle into a pace. Your breathing gets a little easier, more even and you realize you're actually doing it. All of the times you saw other people running and thought, "It'd be cool to be a runner," suddenly come to mind and you realize—for maybe the first time—that you are now one of those people.