You’ve been running. It feels good,
maybe a little hard, but it has prompted you to flirt with the idea of entering
a 5K.
Good choice. The 5K (3.1 miles) is every runner’s distance. It’s
fun and doable, and if you’ve been walking, running, or run-walking 2 to 3 days
a week for at least two months, you’re ready. Sure, building your mileage will
feel tough, and there’ll be days when you don’t feel like running, but the
reward is real—and we don’t mean the t-shirt. The training itself gives back:
you’ll feel fitter, stronger, and amazed that a distance or pace that used to
be hard actually feels comfortable.
Your first step is to sign up for a race at least five weeks
away. That’ll give you enough time to follow our training program, created by
Andrew Kastor, coach of the High Sierra Striders in Mammoth Lakes, California.
His plan builds from an easy run/walk to 2.5 miles of steady running—giving you
the distance you’ll need to hit the big 3.1 on race day. Each week, you simply
increase the amount you run.
THE PROGRAMYOUR GOAL: Finish your first 5kYOU’RE READY IF: You’ve been running, walking or
run-walking 2 to 3 days a week for at least two months. There are four
day of running, with a rest or cross training day in between. “The
every-other-day schedule minimizes the risk of injury, and provides a mental
break,” says Kastor. Alternate running days also ensures rest days fall on
weekdays and weekends, so that the plan can fit into your work and family life.
TIME VS. MILES: It’s easier to time your runs than
clock the mileage, so weekday workouts are all done by the clock. Sunday’s run
is in miles so that you can begin to gain a sense of your pace per mile. “Mile
workouts are also confidence builders,” says Kastor. “Knowing how far you’ve
run offers assurance that you can cover the distance on race day.”
WORKOUT KEY
WORKOUT KEY
WARM UP/COOL DOWN: Each run begins
with 5 minutes of brisk walking, and ends with 5 minutes of easy walking.
You’ll be tempted to skip these, but don’t. Warming up and cooling down safely
transition the body into and out of exercise, explains Kastor, but the walking
segments also increase your total workout time, which helps build the endurance
you’ll need on race day.
INTENSITY/PACE: All runs should be done at an easy effort: a
conversational pace, 60-65% of max heart rate, or a 5 on a rate of perceived
excursion scale (of 1 to 10). Faster, harder running increases injury risk,
says Kastor. Use your first race to build endurance, then if you want, you can
start playing with speed.
RUN/WALK: During the first two weeks, the workouts alternate
running with a minute of walking. So “2 x 5 minutes running, 1 minute walk”
means you’ll run for five minutes, walk for one, then repeat. “3 x 5” means you
do that three times. Don’t consider the walking breaks wimping out. Nearly 80
percent of runners get injured; walking breaks are a strategic tool to build
distance safely. Plus, they make adapting to running easier and more enjoyable.
EASY RUN: These workouts are steady runs done at a comfortable
pace. If you’re struggling to finish the workout, slow down.
LONG RUN: Long runs build the base of distance running:
endurance. They are a road-racers most important workout. If you don’t live
near a walking path that has miles marked, measure the distance in your car,
head to the track (4 laps equals a mile), or use U.S. Track and Field’s mapping
tool (usatf.org/routes) . Time your first mile workout. You can then estimate
the time it will take you to finish the other long runs, or of course, you can
map those out too.
REST/CROSS TRAIN: Rest days are full days off (no workout).
Cross training is an option; you can do yoga, swim, bike, hit the gym, any
workout you enjoy. The added exercise will boost your running—just keep it easy
the day before your long run so that you don’t start this key workout fatigued.
DAYS OF THE WEEK: Plans change sometimes. If you need to
rearrange training days, go for it. Just shift the days forward or back, or do
your best to preserve the every-other-day plan.
FOR MORE WORKOUT VIDEOS, CLICK HERE !
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