Mediocre Miles: Preparing for My First 10K Race: Training, Shoes, and Strategy
Signing up for my first official 10K wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment thing—it’s part of a bigger picture. I registered for this race as the second leg of the Vermont Triple Crown, a series of agriculture-themed races that showcase Vermont’s local culture through movement and community. It’s a cool concept and one that brings together my love for running and for experiencing new places with purpose. But beyond the event itself, this 10K is a checkpoint on a longer journey: my build-up toward an ultra marathon in 2026.
I’ve always found that signing up for events helps keep me accountable. It gives structure to my training and keeps me focused. For this race, I followed a 5-week plan that built off the base I established for the SAP Run in April, which was 8.5 miles. I’m currently running 4 days over an 8-day training cycle and I’ve really tried to get outside more—especially to tackle hills and get some focused speed work in.
What My Training Looked Like
I kept things varied and intentional. A couple of days each week I’d work on speed intervals—things like 1,000m, 800m, and 400m efforts. These sessions added a strong intensity component and kept me sharp. Another two days I’d run at my MAF heart rate, with one of those being a traditional long run to help slowly increase my total volume. On the non-running days, I doubled down on strength training and mobility work, with a big focus on my feet, calves, and hips—the kind of foundational stuff that’s easy to overlook but critical for staying injury-free.
I honestly felt great during this training cycle. The only real hiccup was dealing with a few rainy days, but otherwise, I felt strong. One of the more interesting tweaks I made was switching out my shoes. I moved from my trusty Altra Torin 7s to the New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel 7s—a lighter, more cushioned shoe that’s worked well for this race block. The change gave me a little more pop on tempo days and helped reduce fatigue over longer runs.
Advice for First-Time 10K Runners
If you’re thinking about doing a 10K or anything under 10 miles, my advice is simple: **don’t neglect speed and hills**. Fast efforts build leg turnover, mental grit, and give you another gear on race day. And hills? They’re gold. Not only do they build strength, but they’re also an easy way to elevate intensity without piling on tons of mileage. They teach you how to stay relaxed under stress—something that comes in handy late in the race.
I’m excited for this weekend’s event and will be following up with a full race report afterward. No matter how it goes, I’m pumped to have put together a solid block of training and to be continuing to stack momentum for the bigger goals ahead.