who need to build up the distance should follow the Beginner Plan. Regular runners who've never raced a 5K can try the Intermediate PlanBEGINNER PLAN by Jeff Galloway Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 WALK/XT 20 min or day

and can only read one article, make it this one: 10 Ways To 5K Success (non-subscriber preview) One distance – some very different approaches. We’ve got 5K wisdom for racers with aims from run-walk to record time.BEGINNERS 5K is a perfectly manageable

training load with a series of explosive exercises including sprints of 20-100m, jumping, bounding and rapidly repeated leg presses with low weights. In a subsequent 5K time trial, the explosive training group improved by five per cent on average, whereas

in a handful of three- to four-hour-long runs set in. Fair enough. But how about a simple 5K instead?It’s the perfect distance: 3.1 miles require relatively little build-up, the training doesn’t take over your life, and the race is over fairly quickly

need to train during stamina-building longer repetitions (800-1600 metres) and shorter, faster repetitions (200-400 metres). These speed sessions – normally two per week – form the principal parts in our 5K and 10K schedules.

The 5K is a perfect distance for the beginner looking to run their first race. But, given that it’s halfway between middle and long distance, it’s also a notoriously difficult distance for the experienced runner to master. Whichever camp you fall

Mon 3MTue 4M, then 6 x 100m at 1-mile pace Wed 3M or RestThu 2 x 1000m at 5-mile pace, then 2 x 800m at new 5K pace, then 2 x 400m at 1-mile pace (1:18/1:37/1:55)Fri Rest Sat 10-11M, then 6 x 50m (fast but relaxed)Sun RestWEEK SIX Mon 4MTue 1 x 1600m

easy, incorporating 6 x 20-40 seconds faster-paced running Wed Rest Thu 20-25 mins easy Fri Rest Sat 15 mins easy or rest Sun 5K Race!

GETTY IMAGESWhether you're running your first 5K for charity, fitness or to support friends (or all three), read on for everything you need to know to finish in style.Training helpQ. I've never run before, how should I start? A. The best way

include 600- to 800-metre repetitions at slightly faster than current 5K pace; 1200- to 1600-metre intervals at 5K pace; three-minute hill climbs at 5K intensity and 3 to 4 mile runs 30 seconds per mile slower than 5K pace.