How to Design the Ultimate Training Plan to Crush Your PR
Despite being short from a distance runner’s standpoint, the 5k and 10k are difficult race distances to master.
The 5k requires a runner to run close to their maximum effort for 3 miles – redlining only 1.5 miles in. It’s over before you know it, but toe the line unprepared and you’ll be suffering the second half of the race.
The 10k on the other hand is a blend of speed and endurance that necessitates running only a few ticks slower than 5k pace, yet for double the distance. Be off by only a fraction and the last two miles will be torture.
As such, it’s imperative that you have training plan designed to address the specific demands of each event. That means training your body for the exact physiological challenges, teaching your body and mind how to push through the tough parts of a race, and perfecting a pacing strategy that allows you to run on the edge of your abilities.
The smarter you train, the better your odds of achieving your goal. This guide will provide you with concrete guidance and workouts that’ll have you crushing your PRs in no time.
Training philosophy to help you train for the 5k or 10k
To master the 5k and 10k distance, you need to find the perfect blend between speed and endurance so you can maintain a torrid pace for the entire race.
You also need to have the aerobic endurance to hold your pace for as long as possible.
In this section, we’ll direct you to all the resources to help you develop the foundation or backbone of your 5k or 10k training plan. Read these articles to get a better understanding of the training concepts before moving to specific workouts.
Find a training program that works for you is an essential component to achieving your goals. Not only do you need to find a plan
WORKOUTS TO HELP YOU TRAIN FOR THE 5K OR 10K
The key to running your best at the 5k or 10k is performing a series of progressive specific workouts in the last 6 weeks of your training plan.
Not sure what I mean by specific workouts or drawing a blank as to what that progression might look like? Have no fear. That’s what we’re here for.
In this section, we’ll discuss the important workout types (and the specific workouts) you need to add to your training plan to crush your next 5k or 10k.
When designing running workouts, a coach can manipulate three elements of the training plan to elicit certain physiological adaptations. These three elements are: The time
PREPARING FOR RACE DAY
Racing the 5k and 10k events are a difficult challenge because you’ll be racing near your limit for almost the entire race.
Start too fast and you’ll quickly find yourself gasping for air and producing too much lactic acid for your body to clear. Start too slow and you’ll be too far behind in the final miles to record your best time.
Here are some helpful resources to help you in the days leading up to the race and the perfect 5k or 10k strategy (and a calculator to show you your exact splits) to help you execute the perfect race plan.
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If so, join our FREE 5k and 10k Training Masterclass on the physiological demands of the HM and how to specifically target these essential physiological factors in training.
Here are just some of the topics we will cover…
The physiological demands of the 5k and 10k – While we might consider 5k and 10k races as “speed” races, I’ll show you why the aerobic component is just as important as the speed workouts and why it’s critical you keep this in mind during training
How speed endurance is the key to 5k and 10k PRs – We’ll discuss the importance of speed endurance, what it means and how to specifically target it in training.
5k and 10k workouts – A 6 week progressive plan for both the 5k and 10k with exact workout prescriptions.