10k Running Guide: Race strategies, part 2

[BrunetteLiana76]

For a run (like a 10K) don't ever start fast. Start kind of slow, but when you get about 3 miles pick up some and stay at a comfortable pace.

[phyrad]

If you want to run and not jog you must NEVER choose a comfortable pace. While there might be minor variations in speed for distances like 10 km you will always start out at something like the desired average pace. If that feels comfortable you are not running as fast as you could. Obviously you don't want to overpace (this is presumably what you meant), but I wouldn't say that any part of a short to medium lenght endurance race feels comfortable. This is different for (ultra)marathons.

[openuniverse2003]

@phyrad Superb advice. Absolutely superb. The only was to get better is to push against your limits. This holds true no matter how old you are.