Beginner Training Plan (Run your first 5k)

Duration: 6 Weeks

Start on 13th June for GT5K Cork

Start on 26th September for GT5K Dublin

A summary of each week of the training plan will be posted on the GT5K Facebook Page as a reminder.

Beginner (Run your first 5k):

This schedule is aimed at the beginner who has been running for a little while and now wants to experience a fun run or race over 5km.

Before you start you need to get along to your GP for a health check and to ask if you are okay to go into the programme which has you running 5 days per week. Once you are on the programme you must listen to your body and have another check-up if anything is hurting or if you feel unwell. Having said that, it would be quite unusual not to feel at least some aching in the muscles at the start of the programme, but you need to know whether this is temporary, tired muscles or the start of an injury. You should do supplementary work to keep yourself injury free. This includes stretching, massage and strengthening exercises. Look for tips on the Athletics Ireland website.

Some advice before getting started:

You should also endeavor to do much of your training off road - on grass, gravel or dirt as these surfaces are far more forgiving than tarmac and so you will have less shock going through your joints.

Week 1:

Day Exercise
Monday 5 mins jog
Tuesday 3 mins jog with 3 X 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Wednesday REST
Thursday 3 mins jog with 3 x 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Friday 5 mins jog
Saturday REST
Sunday 5 mins run. If you are running on the road, pick out lamp posts to run quickly between. If you are off road, try to find trees orother landmarks 50 meters away and challenge yourself to run quickly to them.

 

Week 2:

Day Exercise
Monday 7 mins jog
Tuesday 4 mins jog with 3 X 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Wednesday REST
Thursday 4 mins jog with 3 x 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Friday 6 mins jog
Saturday REST
Sunday 5 mins run. If you are running on the road, pick out lamp posts to run quickly between. If you are off road, try to find trees orother landmarks 50 meters away and challenge yourself to run quickly to them.

 

Week 3:

Day Exercise
Monday 7 mins jog
Tuesday 5 mins jog with 3 X 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Wednesday REST
Thursday 5 mins jog with 3 x 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Friday 7 mins jog
Saturday REST
Sunday 6 mins run. If you are running on the road, pick out lamp posts to run quickly between. If you are off road, try to find trees orother landmarks 50 meters away and challenge yourself to run quickly to them.

 

Week 4:

Day Exercise
Monday 8 mins jog
Tuesday 8 mins jog with 3 X 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Wednesday REST
Thursday 8 mins jog with 3 x 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Friday 8 mins jog
Saturday REST
Sunday 10 mins fartlek. If you are running on the road, pick out lamp posts to run quickly between. If you are off road, try to find trees orother landmarks 50 meters away and challenge yourself to run quickly to them.

 

Week 5:

Day Exercise
Monday 10 mins jog
Tuesday 10 mins jog with 3 X 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Wednesday REST
Thursday 10 mins jog with 3 x 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Friday 10 mins jog
Saturday REST
Sunday 10 mins fartlek. If you are running on the road, pick out lamp posts to run quickly between. If you are off road, try to find trees orother landmarks 50 meters away and challenge yourself to run quickly to them.

 

Week 6:

Day Exercise
Monday 10 mins jog
Tuesday 10 mins jog with 3 X 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Wednesday REST
Thursday 10 mins jog with 3 x 20 seconds fast within the run, or 3 X 20 secs fast at the end of the run. Give yourself at least 2 mins jog between each 20 second effort.
Friday 8 mins jog
Saturday REST
Sunday 15 mins fartlek. If you are running on the road, pick out lamp posts to run quickly between. If you are off road, try to find trees orother landmarks 50 meters away and challenge yourself to run quickly to them.

 

Register here:

 

GRANT THORNTON GT5K 2023

For more advice and event information please visit: facebook.com/grantthorntoncorporateteamchallenge/

This year’s #GT5K supports Children In Hospital Ireland. Find out how you can take part.

Grant Thornton GT5K