Inspect: /training-programs/8k-training/novice-8k/

Source: src/content/training-plans/novice-8k.md

Frontmatter

title: Novice
hub: 8k-training
summary: This program is designed for Novice runners, mostly first-timers,
  training for an 8K race. If you are an experienced runner, you might want to
  examine the Intermediate or Advanced 8K programs. When you sign up, you will
  begin receive daily email messages telling you what to run, training tips, and
  access to TrainingPeaks interactive features to track your progress.
atAGlance:
  author: Hal Higdon
  lengthWeeks: 8
  lengthText: 8 Weeks
  typicalWeek: 2 Days Off, 2 Strength, 3 Run, 2 X-Train
  longestWorkout: 4.5 miles
whatDoIGet:
  - Stay motivated for your 8K 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-4366/hal-higdon-8k-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 & strength
        - 2 mi run
        - 30 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 30 min cross
        - 2 mi run
      total: "6"
    - week: 2
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 2 mi run
        - 30 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 30 min cross
        - 2.5 mi run
      total: "6.5"
    - week: 3
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 2.5 mi run
        - 35 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 40 min cross
        - 3 mi run
      total: "7.5"
    - week: 4
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 2.5 mi run
        - 35 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 40 min cross
        - 3.5 mi run
      total: "8"
    - week: 5
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 2.5 mi run
        - 40 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 50 min cross
        - 4 mi run
      total: "8.5"
    - week: 6
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 3 mi run
        - 40 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 50 min cross
        - 4 mi run
      total: "9"
    - week: 7
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 3 mi run
        - 45 min cross
        - 2 mi run + strength
        - Rest
        - 60 min cross
        - 4.5 mi run
      total: "9.5"
    - week: 8
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 3 mi run
        - 30 min cross
        - 2 mi run
        - Rest
        - Rest or 60 min cross
        - Rest
      total: "**8K Race**"
  km:
    - week: 1
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 3.2 km run
        - 30 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 30 min cross
        - 3.2 km run
    - week: 2
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 3.2 km run
        - 30 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 30 min cross
        - 6.4 km run
    - week: 3
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 4 km run
        - 35 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 40 min cross
        - 4.8 km run
    - week: 4
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 4 km run
        - 35 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 40 min cross
        - 5.9 km run
    - week: 5
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 4 km run
        - 40 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 50 min cross
        - 6.4 km run
    - week: 6
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 4.8 km run
        - 40 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 50 min cross
        - 6.4 km run
    - week: 7
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 4.8 km run
        - 45 min cross
        - 3.2 km run + strength
        - Rest
        - 60 min cross
        - 7.3 km run
    - week: 8
      days:
        - Stretch & strength
        - 4.8 km run
        - 30 min cross
        - 3.2 km run
        - Rest
        - Rest or 60 min cross
        - Rest
image:
  src: /_astro/105-runner.CGzV-bIt.png
  width: 835
  height: 495
  format: png
status: published
level: novice
distance: 8k
legacy:
  wpId: 137
  wpUrl: /training-programs/8k-training/novice-8k/
  oldSlugs:
    - 8-k-training-guide-novice-program
seo:
  description: This program is designed for Novice runners, mostly first-timers,
    training for an 8K race. If you are an experienced runner, you might want to
    examine the Intermediate or Advanced 8K programs. When you sign up, you will
    begin receive daily email messages telling you what to run, training tips,
    and access to TrainingPeaks interactive features to track your progress.
todos:
  - 'schedule.miles: week 8: the "Miles" column holds non-numeric "**8K Race**"'
  - 'schedule.km: week 8: 1 extra cell(s) not read: "**8K Race**"'
  - "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 8K? Some individuals who possess a reasonably good level of fitness (because they bicycle or swim or participate in other sports) could probably go out and run 5-6 miles on very little training. They might be sore the week after a race at one of those distances, but they still could finish. But if you've made the decision to run an 8K race, you might as well do it right. Following is an eight-week training schedule to help get you to the finish line of your first 8K. (For those metrically challenged, 8K is a shade less than 5 miles.) To participate in my 8K program, you should have no major health problems, should be in reasonably good shape, and should have done at least some jogging or walking. If running 2 miles for your first workout on Tuesday of the first week seems too difficult, you might want to begin by walking, rather than running. Or, if you have more than eight weeks before your 8K, switch to my 5K schedule to build an endurance base before starting. Interactive versions of all my training programs are available through TrainingPeaks. The terms used in the training schedule are somewhat obvious, but let me explain what I mean anyway.

**Stretch & Strength**: Mondays are the days in which I advise you to do some stretching along with strength training. This is actually a day of rest following your long run on Sundays. 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 convenient for your business and personal schedule. Finally, I generally prefer to strength train in the gym after, rather than before, a running workout. Consider the run a good warm-up for the gym.

**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 do so. 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 Sundays, Sundays 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 8K race? It could be swimming, or cycling, walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or other forms of aerobic training, or even 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 vital 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 easy workouts on Mondays.

**Long Runs**: The longest runs of the 8-week schedule are planned for Sundays, since you probably have more time to do them on the weekends. If Sunday isn't a convenient day for your long runs, feel free to do them on Saturday--or any other day of the week for that matter. What pace should you run? Go slow. There is no advantage to going fast during your long runs, even for experienced runners.

**Walking**: Walking is an excellent exercise that a lot of runners overlook in their training. In the training schedule below, 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 races these days, nobody cares whether you run the full 8K; they're more concerned that you finish. If this means walking every step in practice and in the race, do it!

The following schedule is only a guide. If necessary, you can make minor modifications to suit your work and family schedule. Or sign up for the [interactive version](https://www.trainingpeaks.com/training-plans/running/tp-4366/hal-higdon-8-k-novice) of this Novice 8K Training Program, where I send you daily email messages telling you what to run, along with other tips about your training.

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)

← 8K Training hub

Legacy

WP id

137

Old URL

/training-programs/8k-training/novice-8k/

Old slugs

8-k-training-guide-novice-program

Live page

https://www.halhigdon.com/training-programs/8k-training/novice-8k/

SEO

frontmatter seo.title

—

rendered <title>

Novice ⚠ differs

frontmatter seo.description

This program is designed for Novice runners, mostly first-timers, training for an 8K race. If you are an experienced runner, you might want to examine the Intermediate or Advanced 8K programs. When you sign up, you will begin receive daily email messages telling you what to run, training tips, and access to TrainingPeaks interactive features to track your progress.

rendered meta description

This program is designed for Novice runners, mostly first-timers, training for an 8K race. If you are an experienced runner, you might want to examine the Intermediate or Advanced 8K programs. When you sign up, you will begin receive daily email messages telling you what to run, training tips, and access to TrainingPeaks interactive features to track your progress.

Canonical URL SeoHead will emit

https://higdon-running.com/training-programs/8k-training/novice-8k/

Media

• image: /_astro/105-runner.CGzV-bIt.png (835×495)

Inventory row

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