5k and 10k Training

How to Design the Ultimate Training Plan to Crush Your PR

Despite being short from a distance runner’s standpoint, the 5k and 10k are difficult race distances to master.

The 5k requires a runner to run close to their maximum effort for 3 miles – redlining only 1.5 miles in. It’s over before you know it, but toe the line unprepared and you’ll be suffering the second half of the race.

The 10k on the other hand is a blend of speed and endurance that necessitates running only a few ticks slower than 5k pace, yet for double the distance. Be off by only a fraction and the last two miles will be torture.

As such, it’s imperative that you have training plan designed to address the specific demands of each event. That means training your body for the exact physiological challenges, teaching your body and mind how to push through the tough parts of a race, and perfecting a pacing strategy that allows you to run on the edge of your abilities.

The smarter you train, the better your odds of achieving your goal. This guide will provide you with concrete guidance and workouts that’ll have you crushing your PRs in no time.

How Can We Help You?

Training philosophy to help you train for the 5k or 10k

To master the 5k and 10k distance, you need to find the perfect blend between speed and endurance so you can maintain a torrid pace for the entire race. 

You also need to have the aerobic endurance to hold your pace for as long as possible.

In this section, we’ll direct you to all the resources to help you develop the foundation or backbone of your 5k or 10k training plan. Read these articles to get a better understanding of the training concepts before moving to specific workouts.

WORKOUTS TO HELP YOU TRAIN FOR THE 5K OR 10K

The key to running your best at the 5k or 10k is performing a series of progressive specific workouts in the last 6 weeks of your training plan.

Not sure what I mean by specific workouts or drawing a blank as to what that progression might look like? Have no fear. That’s what we’re here for.

In this section, we’ll discuss the important workout types (and the specific workouts) you need to add to your training plan to crush your next 5k or 10k.

What is Lactate Threshold

Lactate threshold is a term than is commonly used in training vernacular, but has most runners more confused than a high school kid in calculus

10k Specific Training Plan

The 10k is a difficult race distance to master. If you’re a beginner, running twice as far as the more commonly run 5k is quite

PREPARING FOR RACE DAY

Racing the 5k and 10k events are a difficult challenge because you’ll be racing near your limit for almost the entire race.

Start too fast and you’ll quickly find yourself gasping for air and producing too much lactic acid for your body to clear. Start too slow and you’ll be too far behind in the final miles to record your best time.

Here are some helpful resources to help you in the days leading up to the race and  the perfect 5k or 10k strategy (and a calculator to show you your exact splits) to help you execute the perfect race plan.

Race Plan for a 5k run

5k Race Plan *Note: Remember to enter time as h:mm:ss. So, a 23 minute 5k time would look like: 0:23:00 Warm-up for a 5k You

Race plan for a 10k race

10k Race Plan *Note: Remember to enter time as h:mm:ss. So, a 42 minute 10k time would look like: 0:42:00 Warm-up for a 10k You

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If so, join our FREE 5k and 10k Training Masterclass on the physiological demands of the HM and how to specifically target these essential physiological factors in training.

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