RUN YOUR FIRST 5K

5 easy steps to prepare for your first 5K

No matter what level of runner you are, 5K is a great distance to choose for an event, as it offers a variety of challenges. If you’re still at a relatively early stage of your running life, entering a 5K event is a fantastic way to benchmark your progress. It’s a distance over which you can mix up some running and walking, without it taking forever to get to the finish line. Likewise, it’s a manageable challenge if you’re looking to test your ability to run without resting, or only taking limited walking breaks along the route. If you’re a more experienced runner, you can really push yourself, but don’t expect to throw caution to the wind completely as it’s vital to pace yourself appropriately from start to finish – it may not be a marathon, but it’s also definitely not an all out sprint! Whatever approach you take, one crucial message is consistent – be prepared. Here’s five easy steps to help you to prepare.

1. Pick an event;

The good thing about 5K races is that there are plenty to choose from, so take your time and select one that really appeals to you. You can choose flat, undulating or hilly profiles depending on the level of challenge that you’re up for, or simply based on how you like your scenery to look as you make your way around. Opt for a date that allows you to prepare yourself physically, remembering also that the race date will be all-important for motivation levels. 

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2. Plan your training carefully

The ideal training schedule is one that is steadily progressive and feels like a challenge, without becoming overwhelming. There should be a balance between quality training and plenty of rest and recovery, and your training sessions should have variety so that you look forward to them rather than dreading yet another session of the same old thing.

3. Set your race objectives

The sooner you become clear on what you’d like to achieve with your first 5K, the earlier you can begin preparing for and visualising your chosen result. If you’re looking to race without walking, your training should be geared towards minimising walk breaks as quickly as you can. If you’re going for a particular time then you need to organise your schedule to include a little more interval or hill training to help you quickly develop faster basic speed.

4. Prepare your support team

Decide if you’d like to run your first 5K on your own or if you’d prefer to have company. The same goes for your training. Sometimes it’s good to run alone: to focus on the activity, how you’re moving, and what you’re feeling. At other times it’s nice to have company to distract you or to push you out of your comfort zone. You need to decide on the balance that suits you best so that your training partners or team can be there for you when you need them, or know when to leave you to your own devices when you don’t.

5. Enjoy yourself

While it’s great to have specific objectives for events, it’s also really important to enjoy your training and yourraces, so don’t worry too much if you need to adjust your carefully drawn up plans along the way. It’s much better to have a flexible approach than to obsess about the perfect outcome at the cost of living a happy, balanced routine.


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