Runner’s Dilemma #33 — Can a 45-Minute 10K Be Reached Without Being Born for It?
Runner's Log | Runner's Dilemma #33 Can a 45-Minute 10K Be Reached Without Being Born for It? The day my sub-4 marathon attempt fell apart. I had drinks with the people I ran with. I was crushed, but I told them I’d try again. Then a thought came to me. ‘This time, why not raise my speed first instead of going long?’ So at the table, I said this. “I’m going to work on my 10K speed first. My goal is to get under 50 minutes.” Then a club member who had volunteered at the race spoke up. “What? My daughter runs under 50.” “Then 48?” “Come on, that’s weak. You should be under 45.” “Alright. 45!” “And by when? You need a penalty, too.” “If I don’t hit 45 minutes in the 10K by the end of December, the first and second rounds are on me!” Somehow, my goal had gone from 50 minutes to 45. It feels like it was decided way too lightly… but it’s true. Haha. But when I got home and thought about it, I started to wonder. Can a 45-minute 10K be reached through effort alone? Or do you have to ...
