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5k Training Plans

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Intermediate Run 5k Training Plan Week 1

Follow this plan on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with alerts each day to help you complete the program showing routes each day. Learn more about our Intermediate Run 5k Training App.

Week at-a-Glance

Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Week 1
May 27
May 27
Easy Run
40 mins
May 28
Cross-Train
45 mins
May 29
Run
45 mins
May 30
Cross-Train
45 mins
May 31
Run
30 mins
Jun 1
Endurance Run
45 mins
Jun 2
Rest

Daily Breakdown

Monday - Easy Run
40 mins @ 65-70% heart rate max

Warm up walking 5 minutes - then run for 40 minutes at an easy effort level 7. Cool down walking 5 minutes.

Start every workout with 5 minutes of easy paced walking to gradually increase heart rate, breathing and circulation.


Tuesday - Cross-Train
45 mins

Cross-train with non-running, low impact activities for 30-45 minutes.

Optimal cross-training activities include cycling, strength training, yoga, stairclimbing, group exercise classes and more.


Wednesday - Run
45 mins @ 70-75% heart rate max

Warm up walking 5 minutes - then run for 45 minutes at moderate effort (7). Include 4-6 30-60-second pick ups within the run. Pick up your pace to a challenging pace where you can hear your breathing and it feels just outside your comfort zone.

This is NOT at all out gut-wrenching pace, simply one more notch up from where you were running. Keep the pick-up to 30 seconds maximum. Your effort level should be at an i-Rate scale of 8 or heart rate of 80% of maximum. Cool down walking 5 minutes.

Use the i-Scale to gauge your effort level while you run. The i-Rate Scale is an easy way to rate your effort level by your perception or perceived exertion. Rate your level of intensity by how you feel, 1-10. From 1-10, rate where you are while moving. 1 is at rest, 5 is very, very easy walking, 6-7 is a pace you can run comfortably while talking, at level 8 you can hear your breathing, and 9-10 is all out, and a pace that you can only hold for a few minutes.

Use this system to stay in the smart training range listed on the training program (i.e. 6-7)


Thursday - Cross-Train
45 mins

Cross-train with non-running, low impact activities for 30-45 minutes.

Optimal cross-training activities include cycling, strength training, yoga, stairclimbing, group exercise classes and more.

Finish every run workout with 5 minutes of easy paced walking to gradually increase heart rate, breathing and circulation.


Friday - Run
30 mins @ 60-70% heart rate max

Warm up walking 5 minutes - then run for 30 minutes at an easy effort level 6-7. Cool down walking 5 minutes.


Saturday - Endurance Run
45 mins @ 60-70% heart rate max

Warm up walking 5 minutes - then run for 45 minutes at an easy effort level 6-7 on a scale of 1-10.

You should be able to talk while running at this "conversational pace." Cool down walking 5 minutes.

There are four run workouts and two cross-training workout every week. The run sessions alternate every other day to allow your muscles, tendons and joints time to recover from the impact of running.


Sunday - Rest

Rest from activity today and enjoy the day!


Disclaimer

WalkJogRun.net strongly recommends that you consult with your physician before beginning any exercise program. You should understand that when participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself, and agree to release and discharge WalkJogRun.net from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of WalkJogRun.net's training program.