Inspect: /training-programs/15k-10-mile-training/novice-15k-10-mile/

Source: src/content/training-plans/novice-15k-10-mile.md

Frontmatter

title: Novice
hub: 15k-10-mile-training
summary: This 10-week training program is designed for Novice runners training
  for a 10-Mile or 15K run. It should be most helpful for first-timers, those
  who have done little or no running before. If you are very experienced--a
  runner used to doing at least some speed training--you might be happier with
  one of the other training programs (Intermediate or Advanced) for the 10-Mile.
  Each day Hal will send you an email telling you what to run and offering
  training tips.
atAGlance:
  author: Hal Higdon
  lengthWeeks: 10
  lengthText: 10 Weeks
  typicalWeek: 2 Strength, 3 Run, 2 X-Train, 1 Day Off
  longestWorkout: 8 miles
whatDoIGet:
  - Stay motivated for the race with daily tips from Hal in your inbox
  - Monitor your progress within TrainingPeaks’ online tools, apps, and wearable
    integrations
  - Access charts and graphs to understand training load
  - Tap into TrainingPeaks experience
trainingPeaksUrl: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/training-plans/running/trail/tp-4378/hal-higdon-15k-novice
improveYourTime: >-
  ## How to Improve Your 5-K Times


  IF YOU HAVE RUN A NUMBER OF RACES AT THE 5-K DISTANCE, you probably are not
  going to be content to merely finish your 5-K race. You'd like to finish it
  with grace, in style and maybe improve your time (known as setting a Personal
  Record, or PR). The above training schedule will take you to PR Territory.
  This intermediate Program is one step up from the novice program, but not
  quite as difficult as the advanced program. To set a PR, you need to improve
  your endurance and your speed. You can do this by (1) running more miles, (2)
  running faster, or (3) some combination of both. In order to achieve full
  benefit from this program, you probably need to have been running 3-4 days a
  week for the last year or two and averaging 15-20 miles weekly, It helps if
  you have an understanding of the concepts of speedwork. Here is the type of
  training you need to do, if you want to improve your 5-K time. To motivate
  yourself even more, consider signing up for the interactive version available
  through TrainingPeaks.


  **Run:** When the schedule says "run," that suggests that you run at an easy
  pace. How fast is easy? You need to define your own comfort level. Don't worry
  about how fast you run; just cover the distance suggested--or approximately
  the distance. Ideally, you should be able to run at a pace that allows you to
  converse with a training partner without getting too much out of breath.


  **Fast:** For several of the Saturday runs, I suggest that you run "fast." How
  fast is "fast?" Again, that depends on your comfort level. Go somewhat faster
  than you would on a "run" day. If you are doing this workout right, you
  probably do not want to converse with your training partner, assuming you have
  one. It's okay now to get out of breath.
schedule:
  miles:
    - week: 1
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 2 mi run
        - 30 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 2 mi run
        - 30 min cross
    - week: 2
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 3 mi run
        - 30 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 3 mi run
        - 30 min cross
    - week: 3
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 3 mi run
        - 35 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 4 mi run
        - 30 min cross
    - week: 4
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 2 mi run
        - 35 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 2 mi run
        - 40 min cross
    - week: 5
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 4 mi run
        - 40 min cross
        - 3 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 5 mi run
        - 40 min cross
    - week: 6
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 4 mi run
        - 40 min cross
        - 3 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 6 mi run
        - 50 min cross
    - week: 7
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 3 mi run
        - 45 min cross
        - 3 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 4 mi run
        - 50 min cross
    - week: 8
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 5 mi run
        - 45 min cross
        - 3 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 7 mi run
        - 60 min cross
    - week: 9
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 5 mi run
        - 45 min cross
        - 3 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 8 mi run
        - 60 min cross
    - week: 10
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 3 mi run
        - 30 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - 2 mi run or rest
        - Rest
        - "**15K Race**"
  km:
    - week: 1
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 3.2 km run
        - 30 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 3.2 km run
        - 30 min cross
    - week: 2
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 4.8 km run
        - 30 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 4.8 km run
        - 30 min cross
    - week: 3
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 4.8 km run
        - 35 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 6.4 km run
        - 30 min cross
    - week: 4
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 3.2 km run
        - 35 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 3.2 km run
        - 40 min cross
    - week: 5
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 6.4 km run
        - 40 min cross
        - 4.8 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 8.1 km run
        - 40 min cross
    - week: 6
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 6.4 km run
        - 40 min cross
        - 4.8 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 9.7 km run
        - 50 min cross
    - week: 7
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 4.8 km run
        - 45 min cross
        - 4.8 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 6.4 km run
        - 50 min cross
    - week: 8
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 8.1 km run
        - 45 min cross
        - 4.8 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 11.3 km run
        - 60 min cross
    - week: 9
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 8.1 km run
        - 45 min cross
        - 4.8 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 12.9 km run
        - 60 min cross
    - week: 10
      days:
        - Stretch & strengthen
        - 4.8 km run
        - 30 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - 3.2 km run or rest
        - Rest
        - "**15K Race**"
image:
  src: /_astro/105-runner.CGzV-bIt.png
  width: 835
  height: 495
  format: png
status: published
level: novice
distance: 15k-10mile
legacy:
  wpId: 144
  wpUrl: /training-programs/15k-10-mile-training/novice-15k-10-mile/
  oldSlugs:
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seo:
  description: This 10-week training program is designed for Novice runners
    training for a 10-Mile or 15K run. It should be most helpful for
    first-timers, those who have done little or no running before. If you are
    very experienced--a runner used to doing at least some speed training--you
    might be happier with one of the other training programs (Intermediate or
    Advanced) for the 10-Mile. Each day Hal will send you an email telling you
    what to run and offering training tips.
todos:
  - "seo.title: no _yoast_wpseo_title in export"
  - "seo.description: falling back to summary"

Body

**HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO TRAIN** to be able to run your first 15K race? Some individuals who possess a reasonably high level of fitness (because they bicycle or swim or participate in other sports) could probably go out and run 9.3 miles on very little training. They might be sore the week after the race, but they still could finish. But if you've made the decision to run a 15K (or 10-mile) race, you might as well do it right. Here is a ten-week training schedule to help get you to the finish line. It assumes that you have no major health problems, are in reasonably good shape, and have done at least some jogging or walking. If running 2 miles for your first workout seems too difficult, you might want to begin by walking, rather than running. Or, if you have more than ten weeks before the 15K race, switch to either my 5K or 10K schedules to build an endurance base before preceding. The difference between 15K (9.3 miles) and 10 miles is minimal. You can use these same 15K programs to train for a 10-mile race. The terms used in the training schedule are somewhat obvious, but let me explain what I mean anyway. Further information and explanations are included in my Virtual Training Programs available through [TrainingPeaks](https://www.trainingpeaks.com/coach/halhigdon#trainingplans), where I send you daily emails telling you what to run and how to train. [This link will take you to the Novice 15K program.](https://www.trainingpeaks.com/training-plans/running/tp-4378/hal-higdon-15-K-novice)

**Stretch & Strength**: Mondays are the days in which I advise you to do some stretching along with some strength training. This is actually a day of rest following your weekend long run. Do some easy stretching of your running muscles. This is good advice for any day, particularly after you finish your run, but spend a bit more time stretching on Mondays. Strength training could consist of push-ups, pull-ups, use of free weights or working out with various machines at a Health Club. Runners generally benefit if they combine light weights with a high number of repetitions, rather than pumping very heavy iron. I also suggest that you do some strength training following your Thursday workouts, however you can schedule strength training on any two days that are convenient for your business and personal schedule.

**Running workouts**: Put one foot in front of the other and run. It sounds pretty simple, and it is. Don't worry about how fast you run; just cover the distance--or approximately the distance suggested. Ideally, you should be able to run at a pace that allows you to converse comfortably while you run. This isn't always easy for beginners, so don't push too hard or too fast. Under this workout plan, you run three days of the week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Saturdays being a longer run.

**Cross-Training**: On the schedule, this is identified simply as "cross." What form of cross-training works best for runners preparing for a 15K race? It could be swimming, or cycling, walking, other forms of aerobic training or some combination that could include strength training if you choose to do it on Wednesdays and Saturdays instead of as indicated on the schedule. And feel free to throw in some jogging as well if you're feeling good. What cross-training you select depends on your personal preference. But don't make the mistake of cross-training too vigorously. Cross-training days should be considered easy days that allow you to recover from the running you do the rest of the week.

**Rest**: The most important day in any running program is rest. Rest days are as important as training days. They give your muscles time to recover so you can run again. Actually, your muscles will build in strength as you rest. Without recovery days, you will not improve. In this program, Friday is always scheduled as a day of rest to compliment the also easy workouts on Mondays.

**Long Runs**: The longest runs of the 10-week schedule are planned for Saturdays, since you probably have more time to do them on the weekends. If Saturday isn't a convenient day for your long runs, feel free to do them on Sunday--or any other day of the week for that matter. Don't run these long runs too hard. Keep them at a "conversational" pace; meaning, at a pace slow enough that you can converse with a running companion without getting too much out of breath.

**Walking**: Walking is an excellent exercise that a lot of runners overlook in their training. I don't specify walking workouts, but feel free to walk during your running workouts any time you feel tired or need a break. In the 15K or 10-miler you choose, nobody cares whether you run every step of the way; they're more concerned that you finish. If this means walking every step in practice and in the race, do it!

**Stepback Weeks**: You will notice that the weekly mileage does not progress upwards in a straight line. In Week 4 and Week 7, you run somewhat less than the weeks before. This is the "stepback" approach that I first began using in my marathon training programs: giving runners a brief break every third week so that they could gather strength before pushing up to the next level. It works for marathoners; it works for 15K runners too.

The 15K training schedule is only a guide. Feel free to make minor modifications to suit your work and family schedule.

Improve Your Time (visible only in the inspector)

## How to Improve Your 5-K Times

IF YOU HAVE RUN A NUMBER OF RACES AT THE 5-K DISTANCE, you probably are not going to be content to merely finish your 5-K race. You'd like to finish it with grace, in style and maybe improve your time (known as setting a Personal Record, or PR). The above training schedule will take you to PR Territory. This intermediate Program is one step up from the novice program, but not quite as difficult as the advanced program. To set a PR, you need to improve your endurance and your speed. You can do this by (1) running more miles, (2) running faster, or (3) some combination of both. In order to achieve full benefit from this program, you probably need to have been running 3-4 days a week for the last year or two and averaging 15-20 miles weekly, It helps if you have an understanding of the concepts of speedwork. Here is the type of training you need to do, if you want to improve your 5-K time. To motivate yourself even more, consider signing up for the interactive version available through TrainingPeaks.

**Run:** When the schedule says "run," that suggests that you run at an easy pace. How fast is easy? You need to define your own comfort level. Don't worry about how fast you run; just cover the distance suggested--or approximately the distance. Ideally, you should be able to run at a pace that allows you to converse with a training partner without getting too much out of breath.

**Fast:** For several of the Saturday runs, I suggest that you run "fast." How fast is "fast?" Again, that depends on your comfort level. Go somewhat faster than you would on a "run" day. If you are doing this workout right, you probably do not want to converse with your training partner, assuming you have one. It's okay now to get out of breath.

Schedule (raw)

← 15K & 10 Mile Training hub

Legacy

WP id

144

Old URL

/training-programs/15k-10-mile-training/novice-15k-10-mile/

Old slugs

15-k-training-guide-novice-program

Live page

https://www.halhigdon.com/training-programs/15k-10-mile-training/novice-15k-10-mile/

SEO

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Novice ⚠ differs

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This 10-week training program is designed for Novice runners training for a 10-Mile or 15K run. It should be most helpful for first-timers, those who have done little or no running before. If you are very experienced--a runner used to doing at least some speed training--you might be happier with one of the other training programs (Intermediate or Advanced) for the 10-Mile. Each day Hal will send you an email telling you what to run and offering training tips.

rendered meta description

This 10-week training program is designed for Novice runners training for a 10-Mile or 15K run. It should be most helpful for first-timers, those who have done little or no running before. If you are very experienced--a runner used to doing at least some speed training--you might be happier with one of the other training programs (Intermediate or Advanced) for the 10-Mile. Each day Hal will send you an email telling you what to run and offering training tips.

Canonical URL SeoHead will emit

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Media

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