Where do we go from here?

Goal: 10K PR
Motivation: Get as close as possible to a Peachtree 'A' Wave qual time
Goal Race: Big Peach Sizzler (Labor Day)

I've tossed around a lot of idea on where to go from here. I've been quite proud to be in 'B' wave at Peachtree the past few years, but kind of love the idea of pushing myself. I thought about going for an 'A' wave qual time, but thought hitting 45:47 when my PR was over two minutes slower (47:53) was a bit ambitious. 

I considered just trying to PR a 5K, but struggled to find a goal race. This morning, one of my running mamas suggested the Big Peach Sizzler, a well-known Labor Day 10K with a relatively flat/fast course. I kind of like the idea of a shorter race, because, especially after mile training, I know where my strengths lie: short distances, NOT endurance. But, I had a pretty good Peachtree, love keeping long runs and long mileage, and have also never trained for a 10K. This could be fun.

Finding a training plan has been a struggle. I wanted something that:

• started around 30-35mpw
• had 5-6 days of running
• had no more than 2 workouts each week, unless the third was tempo-only
• had long runs beyond 10mi to keep up stamina for fall half marathon training
• maxed out mileage no higher than 45mpw
• used track, tempo, and long runs
• lasted 8 weeks
• bonus points for having a 5K goal race on week 6

This plan doesn't seem to exist. I found a lot of 12 week options, a lot of plans with excessive amounts of 400m repeats, and a ton of plans with weekly mileage below 25. So I opted to hit up my mile coach, Nick Willis, from milermethod.com, for his 10K Basecamp plan. The plan is marketed as a fill-in between mile plans, for people who want to do 5K/10K races. Figured it was worth a go. 

I don't actually think I can hit the 45:47 time, despite what recent race predictor calculators say. Based off my 6:31 mile time, I've had several calculators tell me I'm capable of low 45 10K times... but they don't factor in that I'm a much better short-distance athlete. I think I can hit 46 if everything aligns... maybe. Much below that would require everything to be aligned and then some. My biggest hurdle is, always, getting over my own mental bugaboos... and holding onto a pace when it gets tough. Sounds like there are some tempo runs in my future...