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Six-week Beginner 5K Schedule

A basic 5K schedule that assumes you don't run at all yet, and is designed to get you round comfortably, probably with a few short walk breaks


Posted: 6 May 2002

WEEK ONE

Mon Rest
Tue Run 1 min, walk 1 min. Do 10 times
Wed Rest
Thu Run 2 mins, walk 4 mins. Do 5 times
Fri Rest
Sat Rest
Sun Run 2 mins, walk 4 mins. Do 5 times

WEEK TWO

Mon Rest
Tue Run 3 mins, walk 3 mins. Do 4 times
Wed Rest
Thu Run 3 mins, walk 3 mins. Do 4 times
Fri Rest
Sat Rest
Sun Run 5 mins, walk 3 mins. Do 3 times

WEEK THREE

Mon Rest
Tue Run 7 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times
Wed Rest
Thu Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times
Fri Rest
Sat Rest
Sun Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

WEEK FOUR

Mon Rest
Tue Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times
Wed Rest
Thu Run 10 mins, walk 2 mins. Do twice then run for 5 mins
Fri Rest
Sat Rest
Sun Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

WEEK FIVE

Mon Rest
Tue Run 9 mins, walk 1 min. Do 3 times
Wed Rest
Thu Run 12 mins, walk 2 mins. Do twice then run for 5 mins
Fri Rest
Sat Rest
Sun Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times

WEEK SIX

Mon Rest
Tue Run 15 mins, walk 1 min. Do twice
Wed Rest
Thu Run 8 mins, walk 2 mins. Do 3 times
Fri Rest
Sat Rest
Sun 5K Race!

On race day: You will probably find that you can run at least 20 minutes before you need a break, but whatever your plan, start slowly, and don’t wait until you are exhausted before taking some one-minute walk breaks.


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Discuss this story

Hi All

A beginner who needs some advise. Just finished an 8 week plan to run 5K. I completed my first full non stop 5k yesterday but am unsure what I should do now.

Should I continue to run more 5k's non stop and reduce my time or look to increase the distance to say an 8K plan. I guess I am looking to achieve a comfortable 10K in the near future.

Any help appreciated

Cheers


Posted: 16/07/2009 13:45

That depends on what you want to achieve... If you want to be a fast short distance runner then stick with the 5k and up the speed but if you want to look at taking part in a 10k (which is the next logical step) then slowly increase the length of one of your runs.

Well done on getting this far btw.


Posted: 16/07/2009 14:01

Cheers Caz

 I am looking to increase the distance - perhaps I should continue running a few more 5k's and then work an 8k plan into that - I guess - it's all new to me.

 I was unsure if I could run the 5K non stop - so 8k is possible with the right plan


Posted: 16/07/2009 14:12

Anything is possible Heritage.  Run the 5k for another couple of weeks and then increase your longest run of the week by 0.5 or 1km, run that for a couple of weeks and then repeat until you are up to 8k or whatever distance you want to get up to.  You will find though that now that you can run 5k non stop the rest will be easy.
Posted: 16/07/2009 14:24

thats sounds like a great plan

Not sure on it being Easy 


Posted: 16/07/2009 14:32

Training for a 10k will reduce your 5k time anyway, my suggestion would be to pick out a decent beginners 10k schedule and have a go at that.
Posted: 16/07/2009 14:35

Cheers Danowat

 That's my goal so I'll have a look - ther have a good 10k schedule on here

Appreciate it


Posted: 16/07/2009 14:47

I'd agree with the others, find a 10k plan and see how you get on with it and if you're impatient to do another race soon, maybe do another 5k while you're building up the distance?

well done on the 5k btw.

mrs w


Posted: 16/07/2009 14:57

thanks Mrs W

Keep you posted


Posted: 17/07/2009 14:17

Yep - well done, just build up slowly..

oh - and don't get caught up in the marathon bug. I'd stay with the shorter distances like 5 and 10k's and try and do them quicker...like any sensible person would

Good luck!!


Posted: 17/07/2009 14:21

I think I'll agree with you there
Posted: 20/07/2009 09:59

Hi Guys Just thought I'd let you know how it is going - have run 3 non stop 5ks on my own - not a race in

33 mins, 32 mins and 31 mins ( rounded off ) Pleased with that  - kept it nice a staedy with as much as a sprint as I could manage at the end.

To be honest I did think each time that I was not going to be quicker but I just wanted to be near the first time.

I am going to start a 10 plan now and will see how that goes

 Cheers


Posted: 24/07/2009 10:39

Hi all,

Have been training with a 5k running program for 5 weeks and am now running 14min, 1 min walk then another 14 min walk. I have never ran before in my life i an 34 father of 3, and looking to hear from others in my position who just need that inspiration to achieve. I aam looking forward to my first 5k race in Oxford in Oct.

Cheers Jam123  


Posted: 22/08/2009 16:11

I ran my first "Official" 5k in 37:36 recently after only 6 weeks of running.

I am aiming to get sub-30mins and am training by simply running 5k 3 times a week.

I will run another "Official" 5k at the start of November to see improvement. If I have made a good improvement I will start adding 1k per 2 weeks to build up to 10k - my next goal.

 I'm also trying to shift the bulk of the remaining 4st excess weight I'm lugging around with me!


Posted: 25/08/2009 12:54

Hi All

I have used the 5k plan and have just moved up to a 10K. Like you had done many different sports but never running. Using a plan is perfect for me as it gives me the incentive to reach each one and then once achieved it feel great.

Some days are harder than others - I have progressed to doing 7k runs not fast but comfortable and sometimes when I drop to a 5k or even a 3k it can feel really hard.

I try not to get to down beat - I'll have a rest - relax and think about my next run.

What does really work for me is changing my route - I use various websites to find new routes and it makes the next run more exciting and chalenging.


Posted: 09/09/2009 15:37

Hi all,

I have just finished this six week beginner 5K schedule. It was great.  I loved the way it was based on times not distance and combined walk and runs times.  I also liked the rest days in-between the run days.  I now want to move onto an 8K or 10K training schedule.  Unfortunately I cannot find one that doesn't include distance.  I trail run so I find accurately estimating distance a bit difficult.  Does anyone know of a 8K or 10K training schedule that is similar to the six-week beginner 5K Schedule?   Cheers - LizzieB. 


Posted: 03/01/2010 23:39

@LizzieB - you could try the One Hour Runner which I did -  http://mindplunge.com/c25k/one-hour-runner.html - which puts you around the 10k mark


Posted: 18/01/2010 16:23

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