Ok runner boys, let's design me a bit or a workout schedule for my running. Here is the specs to work with:
- 220 pounds, 5'10"(this is a reason will not do a LOT of miles. I dont want to jack up my joints, will do more if I lose more weight)
- my best mile time at the moment is somewhere between 7:45-8 minutes
- my current 5k time is 27 flat
- for the purposes of this assume EVERY saturday I do a 5k race and sunday is a day off of running, so lets say I take care of 4 miles every saturday).
- I am not specifically looking for short term benefits for the next 5k, I just do them cause I enjoy it and it gives a few bucks to some local charity or good cause, so this workout schedule can be with a fairly longterm goal. I plan to do these 5ks for a while and want to keep improving.
- I am willing to go up to 25 miles per week, so knowing my saturday/sunday, this would be 21 miles monday-friday
....................... any thoughts fellas? Just talking about the running part. I have been doing a couple other random things like pushups and a small amount of biking, but not enough to really factor in here, so assume I dont do any of that.
I'll bite. So Saturday's 5K is effectively your hard tempo run. What you could use during the week are a longer run to build endurance and shorter, sharper training (intervals or hills) to improve speed. One consideration:
M: 3-4 miles. Easy run (recovery from the Saturday race)
T: 4-5 total miles. Intervals or hill work. Ideally, rotate week to week, but it depends what's available to you. A track is great for some repeats (400m; 800m; but many varieties exist), but you could do them anywhere, really. Hill work could be repeats on a longer gradual climb or a shorter, steeper slope.
W: Build up to 7-8 miles. Long run (on slightly tired legs). If you're running well, it shouldn't stress your joints too much.
Th: Cross-train with some strength work - either upper body or lower body. The gang knows I favor lunges, squats, and now high knee lifts. Be careful, though, the first time on the lower body routines - you'll feel it in your butt.
F: 3-4 miles. Easy run ...a bit of recovery, and a bit of taper before the Saturday race.