Welcome to Week #6 of the @runningproject’s 5K Training Program

brought to you by Coach Craig Strimel

Welcome back runners!

We are now beginning the second week of regular training. If you are just jumping in, we completed a four-week prep phase, and last week began the regular 8-week plan.

At this point I am following Hal Higdon's 5K Plan somewhat closely, so a reference is in order.

Before I get into this week's plan below, here are some other great running posts you might want to check out this week for fun and inspiration:

If you haven't seen @trevor.george's awesome contest, check out Steemit Ultra Marathon – Game three – round four and then get ready to jump in if he does a Game 4!

This one by @toofasteddie will definitely get you out on the trails: 1st Trail Running of the year

And remember to get your daily inspiration from @dailyrunnner with her Daily Running Contemplations

This Week’s Plan:

For the next several weeks its just about keeping up the routine and adding small increments. My biggest piece of advice for runners of all levels is to run by feel first, and work at the next challenge (longer distance, faster pace, more intervals, etc) second. If you start out and 10-15 minutes into the run or workout you just are not feeling it, its an early sign of overtraining. This isn't to say there are not times when you want to push through some discomfort, but striking a balance is key. Consistency is what will make the training work, and in order to be consistent your program needs to be sustainable over the entire training period. Taking a day or two off when you just know your need a rest, or trading a harder tempo run for an easy recovery run, is simply being a smart athlete. As secondary but related piece of advice, if you skip a day for any reason, do not backtrack -- just pick up the program with the next run on the calendar and move forward.

Beginner Plan Week #1

Primary focus: Every step is a celebration! As you begin to extend yourself with slightly longer distances (for the newbies), just stay focused in the moment and remember that you are doing this because you can! You can always take another step.

Monday:
Rest, run or walk (any distance)
Plyometric exercises/stretchy bands

Tuesday:
Warmup: walk for 10 minutes
Run: 1.75 miles/2.8 kilometers

Wednesday:
Rest, run or walk
Plyometric exercises/stretchy bands

Thursday:
Warmup: walk for 10 minutes
Run: 1.5 miles/2.5 kilometers

Friday:
Rest

Saturday:
1.75 miles/2.8 kilometers

Sunday:
35 minute walk

Intermediate Plan Week #1

Monday:
Rest

Tuesday:
3 mile or 5 kilometer run

Wednesday:
Tempo Run (Run at a comfortable pace for 10 minutes, pick up the pace for 10 minutes, and then finish with 10 minutes at a comfortable pace. Don't worry about exact paces at this point -- trust your gut and run by feel.)

Thursday:
3 mile or 5 kilometer run

Friday:
Rest

Saturday:
5 mile/8k run at comfortable pace

This Week’s Additional Information:

Below is a copy of the information provided in the Introductory Post Join The Running Project's 5K Training Program! (All levels of Experience Welcome)

This program has been carefully designed by an experienced coach
to provide you with the information, personal guidance, and motivation
to assure your running success. Beginner, novice, and experienced runners
are all welcome to join and follow along.

See below for instructions on how to
join #runningproject and the training program

Training Program Overview

We will provide a basic overview of the 12-week training program here, with weekly plans to follow as separate posts. Record your runs by posting them to your own blog (and linking to the weekly post), or simply by leaving comments on the weekly post. Which option you choose is up to you, but making your own post can obviously lead to bigger rewards for you. If you wish to participate, please see the instructions below for signing up.

To keep things relatively simple, there will be two separate plans, one for beginner/novice runners, and one for intermediate/experienced. If you are starting from scratch, it is advised you follow the beginner plan from day 1. Depending on your current fitness, you can follow along more loosely, doing your current comfortable distances, and then start following the plan in a week or two. Sharing your starting point and progress will help me to give you the most helpful feedback for you. It is not advisable to start with the beginner plan and then switch to the intermediate mid-way through. Definitely consult with Coach Craig here if you need help deciding where to begin. If you begin with the intermediate plan and realize it is too much, then we do advise dropping down to the beginner plan.

Please have both your health and this training plan evaluated by your health care provider before you begin training. Neither RunningProject, Coach Craig, nor any other person or entity connected to this program is liable for any injury or accident you sustain. Any participation in this program is voluntary and you are urged to use your own best judgement regarding your health, safety and well-being. As experienced runners, we know that one of the most important rules of training is to listen to your body and take a break when you need one. Most running injuries are caused by simply doing too much too soon, and although this training plan is designed to prevent that, you must take responsibility for your own health.

Beginner plan overview:

Weeks 1 and 2:

• Three days of walking and jogging/running at comfortable pace for timed intervals
• Optional walk or cross training days

Weeks 3 and 4:

• Three days of walking and jogging/running with run segments for timed intervals
• One walk day

Week 5 through 8:

• Three days of running with gradual increases in time or distance each week
• One walk day with gradual increase in time each week

Week 9 through 11:

• Three days of running with gradual increases in time or distance each week
• One "track" day with gradual introduction to running faster
• One walk day

Week 12:

• Taper and preparation week
• 5K race!

Intermediate Plan Overview

Weeks 1 and 2:

• Three days of easy to moderate 3-mile/5k runs
• One long run

Weeks 3 and 4:

• Three days of easy to moderate 3-mile/5k runs
• One long run
• One "easy" track interval workout

Weeks 5 through 7:

• Three days of 3-mile/5k runs (and adding 1 mile/1.5 km to one run in week 7)
• One track interval workout or tempo run (alternate each week)
• One long run

Week 8:

• Two days of 3-mile/5k runs
• Focused track workout for goal race pace
• Extra rest day
• 5K time trial

Weeks 9 through 11:

• Two days of 3-mile/5k runs
• One 4 to 5-mile/8k run
• One track interval workout or tempo run (alternate each week)

Week 12:

• Taper and preparation week
• Focused track workout
• 5K race!

Let's do this together as a global running community!

About Coach Craig:

I am an avid runner and coach. I have competed in every distance from 55 meters to iron distance triathlon, including a handful of marathons. As a masters athlete I focus on the 5K (masters pr of 19:40), 800 meters (2:12) and 400 meters (55.2), but I also run the Philadelphia Broad Street 10 miler every spring with my wife (1:16). I am not a fast distance runner, but partly because I am a sprinter at heart. I currently coach sprints at my local high school, and help my wife with her cross country team in the fall, as well as the winter track program at her school. I am also the vice president of Greater Philadelphia Track Club, the president of a youth track and field club that my wife and I started last summer, and hold a USA Track & Field level 1 certification. I have done extensive technique training and coaching, and attend two coaching conferences every year to keep up with the latest ideas. This summer I will be completing my USATF level 2 certification, most likely with a concentration in youth track and field.

How To Join and Participate in The Training Program

• Reply to this post stating your wish to follow along
• Follow @runningproject and @cstrimel (Coach Craig)
• Join #runningproject (see link below)
• Consider resteeming this post (the more the merrier!)
• Look for the weekly training post by @runningproject
• Share your workouts/runs, and any questions or info about how things are going as comments to the corresponding weekly training post
• @cstrimel will respond to your posts and guide you through the program

For more information about @runningproject please check The Steem Running Project: New Services Available & 6th Status Report

^{Posted by @cstrimel on behalf of @runningproject}