Training for a 5k or 10k……….. (Part one)…..

I have trained in gyms for many years which has involved resistance training using mainly free weights; additionally I have always completed aspects of cardio such as spinning classes and circuit training but to a lesser extent. Until very recently, my cardio, for the most part has been to act as a warm-up or cool-down function and nothing more.

A few weeks back I was alerted to a series of running events in my local area (5k, 10k and full marathon) and for some unknown reason these instantly appealed to me. So after not too much deliberation I decided to start training for a 10k.

This was a total change of routine for me as I had to cut back on my resistance training and increase my cardio, but it was a new challenge and one which gave me new motivation and a different goal to aim for.

After researching hints and tips on various running sites and speaking to other people I know who are very in to their running, I started training. My overall level of fitness was good but it was still a struggle to run for longer than 15 or 20 minutes and a leisurely pace, but it soon became easier.

I am now in week six of a training plan and have decided that a 5k is a more realistic short term aim, so have entered a local run taking place in April, my intention is to complete this and then enter another 5k in May, before trying my hand at a 10k in July.

So far, it has been a very enjoyable period of training and has definitely tested me both physically and mentally.  I am running three times each week, twice on a treadmill and once outside on fairly flat terrain and have built up to a point where I am running 5k in around 37 minutes; over the next four weeks I want to build up my endurance, stamina and pace to reduce this time down to under 30 minutes ready for my first event.

If you are starting to think about springtime, sunnier warmer days and getting out and about more, then running may be your answer, it’s a great way to get and stay fit, gives you the opportunity to switch off from everyday life for a while, and enjoy some time outdoors, so why not give it a try.

This is part one of my blog and will be updated as I progress, with my new regime, please get in touch and let me know if you are training for similar events and if this has been helpful to you.