Global Sports: The Couch Potato to 5K Training Plan

Monday, December 19, 2011

The Couch Potato to 5K Training Plan

By Steven Casey


If you want the most effective 5K training plan that will get you started on a running program, then welcome to the Couch Potato to 5K Training Plan.

From sitting on the couch to running a 5k race in just 9 weeks, the 5k Training plan has been put together so anyone do it.

Take it from me, there are many people who get off to a great start but simply fail to follow it through.

Just one day at a time.

There is no rush, it's better to take your time to ease into the Couch Potato to 5K training program as this is the most effective way to get started and stay on track.

Anyone can follow this plan

Starting you out slowly the couch potato to 5k training plan starts by alternating you're running and walking over short distances.

What you find is that over the course of the 9 week training program you will gradually build up your level of fitness and so that by the end of the 9 week training plan you are able to run for a full 30 minutes.

It's easy to get impatient, and you may feel tempted to skip ahead in the program, but hold yourself back.

Don't try to do more, even if you feel you can. If, on the other hand, you find the program too strenuous, just stretch it out.

Don't feel pressured to continue faster than you're able. Repeat weeks if needed and move ahead only when you feel you're ready.

The Couch Potato to 5K takes just a few minutes each week

Are you able to spare about 20 or 30 minutes for each session, three times a week?

In fact that just happens to be almost the same amount of effort for exercise that is recommended by a number of studies for optimum fitness.

There is no doubt, this training program will get you off the couch and fit.

The important thing is that you space out your training days throughout the week which will give yourself a better chance to rest and recover between efforts.

There is no need for you to be running too fast, you are better to wait until your bones become stronger and when your body is fitter. When starting out it is better to gradually increas the time or distance you run.

Mix it up, Run for time, or run for distance

The reason this training program works so well is because it is simple, in fact you have two ways to follow this program, you can measure your runs by time or by distance.

Either one works just as well, choose the option that seems easiest for you to keep track of.

If you go with the distance option, and you are not using a track to measure the distances, just estimate. It's not important to have the distances absolutely exact.

One last tip, before you set out on your training, make sure to precede each session with a five minute warm-up walk or jog.




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