Inspect: /training-programs/more-training/beginning-runners-guide/

Source: src/content/training-plans/beginning-runners-guide.md

Frontmatter

title: Beginning Runner's Guide - 30/30 Plan
hub: more-training
summary: Many people ask questions about beginning to run on my online forums.
  They want to know how to start running. They want a training program. They
  want information about shoes and equipment. They worry about sore muscles.
  Here’s a simple 30/30 plan to get you going, featuring 30 minutes of exercise
  for the first 30 days.
atAGlance:
  author: Hal Higdon
  lengthWeeks: 5
  lengthText: 5 Weeks
  typicalWeek: 1 Day Off, 6 Run
  longestWorkout: 30 minutes
whatDoIGet:
  - Stay motivated 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/tp-15637/hal-higdon-beginning-runners-guide-the-30-30-plan
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.
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    forums. They want to know how to start running. They want a training
    program. They want information about shoes and equipment. They worry about
    sore muscles. Here’s a simple 30/30 plan to get you going, featuring 30
    minutes of exercise for the first 30 days.
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Body

**Introduction**: Running continues to grow in popularity. More and more people are taking up the sport. More people are running 5K races. More are running marathons. An even larger number simply run for fitness and never go near a starting line, or win a race T-shirt. There are many good reasons. Running is simple and inexpensive. It’s a good way to lose weight. It makes you feel good. Running is good for your health. You’ll look better and have more energy if you learn to run. Many people ask questions about beginning to run on my online forums. They want to know how to start running. They want a training program. They want information about shoes and equipment. They worry about sore muscles. Every runner experiences what might be described as “Start-Up” problems. Many have “Restart” problems. Former runners (who stopped, for one reason or another) want to get back to their old running routines. They too need help. Here’s a simple 30/30 plan to get you going, featuring 30 minutes of exercise for the first 30 days. It is a routine similar to one that the late Chuck Cornett, a coach from Orange Park, Florida, used with beginning runners. 1. Walk out the door and go 15 minutes in one direction, turn around, and return 15 minutes to where you started: 30 minutes total. 2. For the first 10 minutes of your workout, it is obligatory that you walk: No running! 3. For the last 5 minutes of your workout, it is obligatory that you walk: Again, no running! 4. During the middle 15 minutes of the workout, you are free to jog or run--as long as you do so easily and do not push yourself. 5. Here’s how to run during those middle 15 minutes: Jog for 30 seconds, walk until you are recovered, jog 30 seconds again. Jog, walk. Jog, walk. Jog, walk. 6. Once comfortable jogging and walking, adapt a 30/30 pattern: jogging 30 seconds, walking 30 seconds, etc. Follow this 30/30 pattern for 30 days. If you train continuously (every day), you can complete this stage in a month. If you train only every other day, it will take you two months, a 30/60 plan. Do what your body tells you. Everyone is different in their ability to adapt to exercise. When you’re beginning, it is better to do too little than too much. If you continue this 30/30 routine for 30 days, you will finish the month able to cover between one and two miles walking and jogging. You are now ready to progress to the next stage of your training as a beginning runner. For the next step upward in training as a runner, check out my Novice 5K program.

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.

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Many people ask questions about beginning to run on my online forums. They want to know how to start running. They want a training program. They want information about shoes and equipment. They worry about sore muscles. Here’s a simple 30/30 plan to get you going, featuring 30 minutes of exercise for the first 30 days.

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