So you’ve just decided you need to get in shape. You know that setting a fitness goal would be a great idea to keep you on track. Running a 5K is an excellent goal for new runners. It’s smart, realistic, and attainable. A 5K (3.1 miles) is the perfect distance for first-timers. You’ll also find that finishing your first race is very rewarding. Most first-time 5K’ers have a blast crossing the finish line and can’t wait for their next race. If you want to join the thousands of happy runners who complete several 5Ks every year, here are a few tips to get you started.
1) The first thing you need to do is find a 5K. Summer and fall are the most popular seasons for road races, but you can find ones all y

ear in some areas.
Active.com is a great resource for finding a race in your area. Once you register, make sure you tell everyone you know that you’re running your fist 5K. It’ll be easier to stick to your goal once you make it public.
2) It’s time to start training. You can find lots of information online, in running magazines and in books about how to properly train for a 5K. Below is an eight-week training schedule to help get you to the finish line. It assumes that you can already run at least 1.5 miles. If you’ve never run before, follow this
step-by-step plan for building a running base. If those programs don’t seem challenging enough for your running level, try this
advanced beginner 5K training schedule.
If you haven’t had a recent physical, visit your doctor to get cleared for running.
Notes about the schedule:
Mondays and Fridays: Mondays and Fridays are rest days. Rest is critical to your recovery and injury prevention efforts, so don’t ignore rest days. Your muscles actually build and repair themselves during your rest days. So if you run every day without taking days off, you won’t see much improvement.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: After you warm up, run at a comfortable pace for the designated mileage. Make sure you cool down and stretch after your run.
Each week, you’ll increase your runs by a quarter mile, which is a lap on most outdoor tracks. If most of your runs are on the road and you’re not sure how far you run, you can figure out the mileage by using sites such as MapMyRun.com. Or, you can always drive your route in your car and measure the mileage using your car odometer.
Wednesdays: Do a cross-training (CT) activity (biking, swimming, elliptical trainer) at easy to moderate effort for 30 to 40 minutes. If you’re feeling very sluggish or sore, take a rest day.
Sundays: This is an active recovery day. Your run should be at an easy, comfortable pace, which helps loosen up your muscles. Or, you can do a run/walk combination.
Note:
You can switch days to accommodate your schedule. So if you’re busy on another day and prefer to workout on a Monday or Friday, it’s fine to swap a rest day for a run day.
5K Training Schedule for Beginners
| Week |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
| 1 |
Rest |
1.5 mi run |
CT or Rest |
1.5 mi run |
Rest |
1.5 mi run |
20-30 min EZ |
| 2 |
Rest |
1.75 mi run |
CT or Rest |
1.5 mi run |
Rest |
1.75 mi run |
20-30 min EZ |
| 3 |
Rest |
2 mi run |
CT or Rest |
1.5 mi run |
Rest |
2 mi run |
20-30 min EZ |
| 4 |
Rest |
2.25 mi run |
CT or Rest |
1.5 mi run |
Rest |
2.25 mi run |
25-35 min EZ |
| 5 |
Rest |
2.5 mi run |
CT or Rest |
2 mi run |
Rest |
2.5 mi run |
25-35 min EZ |
| 6 |
Rest |
2.75 mi run |
CT |
2 mi run |
Rest |
2.75 mi run |
35-40 min EZ |
| 7 |
Rest |
3 mi run |
CT |
2 mi run |
Rest |
3 mi run |
40 min EZ |
| 8 |
Rest |
3 mi run |
CT or Rest |
2 mi run |
Rest |
Rest |
5K Race! |
3) Make sure you stay hydrated, especially on hot days. Here’s some
great information on staying properly hydrated.
4) Last but NOT least, nutrition is key to a successful training period and run. You should eat healthy, wholesome foods and get at least 1 gram of protein for every pound of your body weight. Designer Whey shakes make great in-between meals during training. And don’t forget your Protein 2Go packs to hydrate and nourish your muscles after your run.
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