The women' s 10k in Glasgow should be a breeze for Jo Pavey – except for one tiny thing.
"I'm pregnant," beams the 39-year-old from Devon.
"I'm so happy – it's going to be lovely to have a little brother or sister for my three-year-old Jacob.
"It will mean some changes to my schedule, of course, but I still plan to walk or jog the Glasgow run – I can't wait."
The Bupa Great Women's 10k, of which the Evening Times is media partner, takes place on May 12, when Jo will be around five months pregnant.
"Running during pregnancy is safe and has benefits for both mum-to-be and baby, but only if you ran before becoming pregnant and reduce the intensity of training," explains Jo.
"You should take medical advice. It is not the right time to start running."
It will be the first time Jo has taken part in the Glasgow women's 10k and she is looking forward to spending some time in the city with Jacob and her husband and coach Gavin.
Gavin's family is from Inverness – and he once trained with a Cambuslang running club – so it will be a chance to teach Jacob about his Scottish roots.
Jo explains: "I've heard so much about the race.
"I can't wait to soak up the atmosphere and join 10,000 other women enjoying themselves.
"It's a great opportunity for me to enjoy myself without the pressure of elite competition."
Jo was the first European runner to cross the line in both the 5000m and 10,000m events at the London 2012 Olympics, her fourth Games.
She also won a silver medal at the European Championships in Helsinki and has now set her sights on Glasgow's Commonwealth Games and the European Championships in 2014 and the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Glasgow 2014 will be an amazing event – the city will do a brilliant job," says Jo.
"Being in London for the Olympics was just incredible.
"It will be very special if I can make the Rio Games. I'll be getting older, but have been very encouraged to continue after running a personal best in the 10k at the Olympics.
"Not many long distance runners make four Olympics, so going for a fifth has that extra dimension.
"I still want to be competitive – I wouldn't be aiming to go just to take part."
Becoming a mum has brought balance to her life, Jo explains.
"Jacob has brought so much joy," she smiles.
"He goes everywhere with us – he'll be cheering me on in Glasgow.
"He came to the Olympics and I felt so happy when I was racing, knowing he was in the crowd somewhere."
Jo took up running at school, after a sharp-eyed PE teacher spotted her potential.
"I loved being active – I did roller-skating and was out playing for hours when I was young, but I'd never considered running," she says.
"My PE teacher recommended me to a local athletics club and I really enjoyed it."
Jo adds: "The beauty of running is that anyone can do it, and it's not expensive – all you need is a decent pair of trainers.
"What I love about the Glasgow women's 10k is that it's a real celebration of women's running and encourages everyone, whatever age or ability, to take part.
"Some women do it for charity, others dress up and walk it, many more are doing it to achieve their own personal goal and that's really amazing.
"I'm looking forward to joining them all."
10K BEGINNERS'
TRAINING PROGRAMME
This easy-to-follow plan should take you from being a complete novice to comfortably completing the 10K in 10 weeks.
WEEK 2
(MARCH 11 TO 17)
Today: Jog for 4 mins, walk for 2 mins, 4 times
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Brisk 15 mins alternate walk/jog
WEEK 3 (MARCH 18 TO 24)
Monday: Jog for 5 mins, walk for 2 mins, 4 times
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Jog for 5 mins, walk for 2 mins, four times
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 7 mins, walk for 2 mins, three times
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Brisk 20 mins walk/jog
WEEK 4 (MARCH 25 T0 31)
Monday: Jog for 7 mins, walk for 2 mins, three times
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Jog for 10 mins, walk for 2 mins, twice
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 15 mins
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Brisk 25 minute walk/jog
WEEK 5 (APRIL 1 TO 7)
Monday: Jog for 15 mins
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 17 mins jog
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 20 mins
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 25-30 mins of alternate walk/jog
WEEK 6 (APRIL 8 TO 14)
Monday: Jog for 20 mins
Tuesday: Jog for 10 mins
Wednesday: Jog for 25 mins
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 20 mins
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 35-40 mins alternate walk/jog
WEEK 7 (APRIL 15 TO 21)
Monday: Jog for 20 mins
Tuesday: Jog for 15 mins
Wednesday: Jog for 30 mins
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 35 mins
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 40-45 mins walk/jog
WEEK 8 (APRIL 22 TO 28)
Monday: Jog for 25 mins
Tuesday: Jog for 20 mins
Wednesday: Jog for 30 mins
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 35 mins
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 40-45 mins alternate jog/walk
WEEK 9 (APRIL 29 TO MAY 5)
Monday: Jog for 20 mins
Tuesday: Jog for 15 mins
Wednesday: Jog for 40 mins
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 30 mins
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 60 mins of jog/walk
WEEK 10 (MAY 6 TO 12)
Monday: Jog for 10 mins
Tuesday: Jog for 20 mins
Wednesday: Jog for 25 mins
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jog for 10 mins
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: RACE DAY
HOW TO ENTER
Online entry is now available for the Bupa Great Women's 10k at www.greatrun.org/womens10k
It costs £25 including a T-shirt, medal, finisher's pack and accurate chip timing.
