My friend Carolyn, asked me the other day how Steve and I were training for the 5K. When I decided I was going to enter the race, I googled basic information on how to prepare for a run.

One site suggested the following training:

First step:

8 day program
- 4 days walking for 20 minutes & then
- 4 days walking 30 minutes

Next step: 3x per week

1st week - 2 minute run / 4 minute walk
2nd week - 3 minute run / 3 minute walk
3rd week - 4 minute run / 2 minute walk
4th week - 5 minute run / 1 minute walk

The other source I found suggested this type of training:

- 2 rest days out of 7
- 3 days out of 7 [run the designated mileage below]
- 1 day out of 7 do cardio
- 1 day out of 7 have an active recovery day [easy run, run/walk combo, cardio, etc]

Here is the Designated Mileage Chart:

1st week - 1 mile, 1 mile, 1.5 mile
2nd week - 1.5 mile, 1.5 mile, 1.75 mile
3rd week - 1.5 mile, 1.5 mile, 2 mile
4th week - 2.25 mile, 1.5 mile, 2.25 mile
5th week - 2.5 mile, 2 mile, 2.5 mile
6th week - 2.75 mile, 2 mile, 2.75 mile
7th week - 3 mile, 2 mile, 3 mile
8th week - 3 mile, 2 mile, REST

5k Run Event

We opted to do the second training program, but will have to modify it a bit because we do not have 8 weeks before the event.

Carolyn, based on our conversation the other day,you might want to opt for the first training program (modify it to fit your needs of course) since you said you were thinking about running/walking the 5k.

Hope this is helpful to you and any others out there who are thinking about running a 5k or whatever. You've got to start some time, so why not now? :)

Happy Training!