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.