Lily’s Run 5K 6-Week Training Program

There are many 5K training programs available on the internet.  We have compiled this training plan focusing on three running days/week. These training runs will take 20-35 minutes.  Ideally, training runs are not executed on consecutive days.  Rest and/or cross-training are encouraged.

If you start your training later than the week of 2/9, you may be able to “jump into” the current week, based upon your physical condition.  If that is too much, then start at Week 1.  A later start to training means you may do some walking on race day, which is totally OK!


Week #1 , FEBRUARY 9th (2/9):

#1:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 1.5 minutes)

Repeat 4x for a total of 1 running mile

#2:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 1/3 mile (or 4 minutes)

  • Walk 1/8 mile (or 1.5 minutes)

Repeat 4x for a total of 1.3 running miles

#3: Weekend Training Run: 

  • Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, jog 1.25 miles (or 13 minutes) w/ no walking.


Week #2, FEBRUARY 16TH (2/16):

#1:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Repeat 3x for a total of 1.5 running miles

#2:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 2/3 mile (or 7 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Repeat 3x for a total of 2 running miles

#3: Weekend Training Run: 

  • Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, jog 1.5 miles (or 15 minutes) with no walking.


Week #3, February 23rd (2/23):

#1:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Total Running Distance:  1.75 miles

#2:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 10 minutes)

Total Running Distance:  2.25 miles

#3: Weekend Training Run: 

  • Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, jog 2 miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.


Week #4, March 1st (3/1):

#1: Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Total Running Distance:  2 miles

#2: Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 1/2 mile (or 10 minutes)

Total Running Distance:  2.25 miles

#3: Weekend Training Run: 

  • Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.


Week #5, March 8th (3/8):

#1:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

Total Running Distance:  2.25 miles

#2:  Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

  • Jog 1.25 mile (or 12 minutes)

  • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

  • Jog 1.25 mile (or 12 minutes)

Total Running Distance:  2.5 miles

#3: Weekend Training Run:

  • Brisk five-minute warmup walk, jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes) w/ no walking.


Week #6, March 15th (3/15):

This is your taper week, your final training run(s) should take place early in the week, and should be similar to either the prior Week #5/Run #2, or Week #5/Weekend Run.  After that, enjoy the week, and by Sunday you’ll be ready to rock the race!