It was a struggle for me to choose a training plan to prepare me for my first 5k. This is not the first time I have embarked on this adventure. However, I hope this is the first time I will actually run a 5k and achieve my goal. I am a little tentative to use a plan that I have tried before, because obviously, I did not achieve my goals, with the previous training schedules. However, after I considered my current fitness level, my time frame, and my 5k goals, I have decided to go back to a running schedule that I have tried before.
I will be using this training plan. It suits my current fitness level because it starts from the beginning and helps me to build a running base. I have not exercised regularly for a while, so I need to start at the beginning. My timeframe is not too limited. My goal is to run a 5k, sometime during the 2011 calendar year. Therefore, I have plenty of time to train. My goal is to run the entire race and finish the 5k in 38 minutes or less. This is at the pace of a 12 minute mile. I know that is slow, but I am only 5’3”, and I have a very short stride. Also cut me a break -- this is my first 5k!
I have used this plan before, and I followed it through to completion. However, I did not run a 5k, after I finished the training schedule. After I completed the training schedule, I could run a full 30 minutes without stopping. However, because of my short stride, I was not running 3.1 miles. Therefore, I was not running the length of a 5k in 30 minutes. Instead of trying to increase my distance, I got busy with something else, and I quit. Since I now know my problem with this plan, I am going to do a modified version of this plan.
Instead of running each day at the specified run/walk intervals for the suggested amount of time or distance, I am going to run the intervals for a total distance of 3.1 miles, regardless of the amount of time it takes. I know this will make my training schedule more time consuming in the beginning. However, my training times should decrease with time, as I run more and walk less.
Now, you know my plan. What’s yours?
I bumped in to your website and the information, enthusiasm you are trying to share with world is amazing. Please kindly accept my reverences in this regard. I am choosing this same C25K plan and I have not excercised for many years. So, I have ordered a treadmill as I live in extremely cold climatic conditions. I will certainly check back on your blog on this journey. Please wish me good luck.
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