So remember that time I was going to run a 10K and then totally chickened out?  Then there was that other time when I accidentally registered for a 5-miler instead of a 5K, but got through it without dying?  Well, my friends, two nights ago I clicked a pretty little PAY NOW button and officially registered for my first-ever 10K road race.

Holy. Crap.

The race: The 9th Annual Malden Rotary Road Race 10K

Where: Malden, Massachusetts

When: Saturday, March 24th… a mere 5 and a half weeks away.

But at a $10 student race fee, I couldn’t turn it down.  Plus, the prospect of some sweet race swag had me giving them those ten dollars even faster.

I can’t say no to free stuff, especially when it has to do with running (or dance.)  The awesome bright green gloves I got from that 5-miler say “Shamrock Running Club” on them and I won’t lie – I love wearing them.  I feel like a runner or something.

I may or may not wear these everyday.

So where does that leave me training-wise?  Well, I’ve got the 5-miler and a few 5Ks under my belt so I already know I can complete the extra 1.2 miles without dying.  Will I enjoy it?  Probably not at the time, but I’ll do it.  Since I kept putting off registering, I now find myself with only 5 weeks to formally train along with a full course schedule, TA-ing and 12 hours a week of dance (oh, did I mention that even after dropping Wednesday night at DanceWorks, I somehow managed to add an additional 4 hours of dance a week?  I didn’t mention that?  More about that in a different post….), it leaves little wiggle room for hours of running.

So I found a plan that fits just right.

I can totally handle this.... right?

So obviously this plan does not come complete with almost 12 hours of extra cross training per week but as is the life of a dancer/wannabe runner.  I’ll be running various mileage 3-4 times a week, totaling from 14-17 miles per week.  This is by farther most miles/week I’ve ever done and I’m super excited to start!  I’m not going for speed, just endurance and a strong finish (aka don’t collapse at the finish line.)

But let’s be real here… I need some advice.

I want to know…. what advice do you have for me as I train for my first 10k?  What works best for you when you train?  What should I wear (keep in mind, the race is at the end of March).  Share your 10K stories!  Any and all advice is appreciated!