This four week 5k training schedule is perfect if you're a beginner with a race scheduled a month away. It's specifically designed for beginner run/walkers who want to build up to continuously running a 5K (3.1 miles). If you're a more experienced runner, you should use a four week intermediate 5K schedule or a four week advanced 5K schedule.

For best results and, more importantly, to prevent injury, this plan is best to use if you've been active in the past month.

Ideally, to start this training program, you should have either completed the four weeks to one mile program, been active a couple of days a week, or can already comfortably run a half mile.

Plan Overview

With this plan you'll make slight increases in your running distance while making small decreases in your walking distance each week. After four weeks, you'll be able to run the 5K distance without a walking break. Of course, if you want to take a walking break during your 5K, that's OK too.

You don't have to do your runs on specific days; however, you should try not to run two days in a row. Either take a complete rest day or do cross-training on the days in between runs. Cross-training can be cycling, yoga, swimming, or any other activity (other than running) that you enjoy. Strength training two to three times a week is also very beneficial for runners.

If you find that this training program is progressing too quickly for you, you can stay on a week and repeat the workouts before moving on to the next week.

Race Day Tips

As you prepare for your 5K, here are some tips to make sure you're race-ready. These will help answer questions you may have about what to do before the race.

• Don't stuff yourself. You don't have to carbohydrate load for a 5K race. Overeating may lead to gastrointestinal distress or other issues. Just eat normal-size portions of a regular, healthy dinner the night before. Try to stick to foods that you've eaten—nothing new.
• Follow your routine. The golden rule of racing is: Nothing new on race day. Make sure that you're wearing clothes and gear that you've already tested during training runs. You don't want to be surprised by uncomfortable clothes or painful chafing issues on race day. If you've never raced before, learn how to put your race bib on before the race.
• Do a little warm-up. In a shorter race like a 5K, it's a good idea to do a warm-up, so you slowly raise your heart rate and get your muscles warmed up. About 15 minutes before the race start, do a slow jog for about five minutes or do some warm-up exercises, then walk briskly to the starting line.

A Word From Verywell

Training for a 5K is a very achievable goal for beginner runners, but that doesn't mean that you won't run into challenges along the way. Do your best to stay motivated to keep going with your training. And when you're not feeling motivated, rely on your discipline and habits to train anyway.

If you're nervous about your race, you're not alone. There are plenty of commonly asked questions about 5K racing that you can have answered beforehand. And once you successfully run your race, perhaps you'll be ready for your next challenge. Try a beginner 10K or beginner half marathon.

Source: https://www.verywell.com/train-for-a-5k-in-one-month-2910851