Three months and a half till the big race?
Don’t worry; you have more than enough time to prepare. Grab your running shoes, prepare your moisture-wicking shirt, and off you go!
Besides following a training plan, there are some steps you’d want to take on your road to a 5k. A 5k race is shorter than a marathon and half marathon, but its training is pretty much the same.
If you want to know how to prepare for a 5k run in 14 weeks, here’s a rundown of everything you need to do before and during the race.
How to Prepare for a 5k in 14 Weeks
First, we’ll cover how to prepare 14 weeks before the 5k run, and then we’ll go closer to the race later.
Start Walking First
In the first few weeks, don’t worry about your speed. A 5k is essentially about covering the distance to the finish line, not the speed. And even if you want to reach a specific speed goal, you need to start walking first.
Walking will loosen your muscles and get your body accustomed to the extra effort. That way, you go into running not worrying about overuse injuries.
So, when starting your training plan, it’s essential to be able to walk at least 30 minutes beforehand.
Prepare Your Running Gear
When you have 14 weeks until the race, you have enough time to buy your running gear and try it. The sole most essential piece of your attire is the shoes. It’s vital to consider all the features closely before choosing the shoes for you.
On top of that, it’s recommended to try a couple of shoes with different fits first, so you know which is the best for you.
Try not to go inexpensive when buying the shoes. You can get affordable shorts and shirts, but when it comes to shoes, paying more will get you better quality.
Better quality doesn’t only mean the shoes will be durable, but it’ll also guarantee you don’t get injuries or sore feet because of cheap shoes.
Follow a Training Plan
Now that you’re done with the running gear and you can walk long distances without a hitch, it’s time to prepare your training plan. There are various plans on the internet for beginners and pros alike.
You can formulate your plan according to your fitness level. To give you an idea of what these plans are usually like, a weekly schedule should look something like this:
- Monday: Easy pace run (The distance goes according to you, but it should be around 1–3 miles)
- Tuesday: Rest (In later weeks, you can do cross training)
- Wednesday: Interval training/speed workouts/hill repeats (The intensity should keep increasing week by week)
- Thursday: Rest
- Friday: Same as Wednesday
- Saturday: Rest (In later weeks, change it to easy pace runs)
- Sunday: Long run (Formulate your plan to upgrade from 5 to 10–15 miles in the 14 weeks)
When changing the plan to suit your needs, there are a couple of things you should know first. For starters, Tuesdays and Thursdays should always be either rest days or cross-training days.
The Saturdays should start off as rest days, but you can convert them to easy pace runs or quick walks later on. Start with 30 minutes and upgrade till you reach 45 minutes.
The rest of the days are yours to change as you like. If interval training is your forte, you can switch from running to walking and vice versa. Alternatively, you can do some speed workouts. You’re free to do whatever you want.
How to Prepare a Week Before the Race
Now that you’re close to being done with your training schedule, you need to follow some tips. The last week before the race may make you anxious; here’s how to deal with it.
Don’t Worry About Competition
I know that the idea of being the first one to cross the finish line seems appealing, but a 5k race isn’t the right place for competing. 5k and 10k races aren’t like marathons; runners are less about being competitive and more about running for the sake of it and spreading positive vibes.
If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about my speed. Crossing the finishing line is an achievement by itself, whether you do it first or last.
Familiarize Yourself With the Race Course
You don’t want to go on the race day to a completely unfamiliar course. If you can, go and train in the course a couple of times in the week before. You don’t have to run; you can instead take a walk through it or even drive.
The goal here is to familiarize yourself with the surroundings so you don’t feel anxious on the big day.
If the course is in another town, you can always get its map online and study it. Remember to consider the directions so that you don’t get lost on your way.
Don’t Eat New Food
I know the urge to try a new restaurant may be strong, but you’ll have to wait until after the race. A week before the 5k race isn’t the best time to try something new. You never know if the food will get you a stomach ache.
Even if not, it’s better to stick to the food you already know. Try to fill up on carbs, so you have enough energy for the race, and stay low on fats.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation won’t do you any good on the day of the race. A week before your 5k, make sure to sleep at least 6–7 hours daily. You need to get enough sleep to let your body rest and your muscles recover. Plus, you want your focus to be top-notch on the race day, and not having enough sleep won’t give you that.
What to Do Days Before the Race
A couple of days before the race, you should be preparing everything for the big day. All the effort you’ve been making for 14 weeks is leading to this, so this phase needs you to be in your best form.
Stick to Your Routine
Don’t try anything new a couple of days before the race. Not clothes, food, exerciseس, and certainly not shoes. Stick to everything you’ve been doing in the past 14 weeks, especially the clothes.
Remember that the racecourse isn’t a runway walk. Wear whatever makes you comfortable, even if it doesn’t look flattering, and always prioritize your comfort.
Rest Your Feet
Aside from your training schedule, try not to stay on your feet for long. A couple of days before the race, you want your muscles to rest so you don’t go into the race with a sore pair of feet.
Leave the shopping trips, errands, and cleaning chores till after the race,
Prepare Your Bib
If this is your first race, you probably don’t know what a race bib is. When registering for a 5k race, you receive a bib with an assigned number. The bib is a piece of paper enclosed in a plastic cover; you wear it on to showcase your number.
Aside from the number, the bib should also have your personal info, like name, email address, or phone number. It’s better to prepare it before the race because you’ll probably forget it if you leave it till the last minute. You can even fasten it to your running shirt to make sure.
What to Do on The Big Day
The big day is here! You’re done with your training schedule, your clothes are ready, and your energy is on the rise! Here’s what you should do.
Don’t Drink Too Much Water
On the day of the race, you’ll want to lay low on the water. Drinking lots of water will only give you a strong urge to pee; it won’t do much to hydrate you. You’ve already been hydrating well for the past few weeks, so there’s no need to worry.
You should stop drinking altogether at least 30 minutes before the race.
If your race is at night, drink throughout the day at your usual rate. Meanwhile, if it’s in the morning, drink normally when you wake up, then lay low on it.
Arrive at the Race Course Early
It’s needless to say that you should be there on time on race day. It’s better to arrive as early as you can.
Believe me; you don’t want to be the runner who arrived late!
It’s not uncommon for a 5k run to start in waves, so make sure to check that before you go. You’ll want to be on the course at least 30 minutes before the race starts, and it’s better to take your assigned place as early as possible.
Dress Right
Runners usually estimate the outside temperature wrong and dress too warm for the weather. Before going out, check the day’s forecast, and wear clothes suitable for a 20-degree warmer day.
The last thing you want is to wear clothes heavier than the weather. Remember that you’ll be sweating a lot, so whenever in doubt, wear fewer layers.
What to Expect From Your 5k Preparation Phase
Before going into your 5k training plan, there are some things you should know. Knowing what to expect is always better because you’ll be able to deal better with any setbacks.
Expect a Lot of Walking
Search for any training plan for a 5k race, and you’ll find that it starts with walking. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro runner, training for a race should be gradual. So, expect to do a lot of walking at the start of your training phase.
If you’re a beginner, that’s good news for you. Running three or four miles might seem like a far-fetched dream for you, but your training plan will get you there gradually.
Expect Soreness, Not Pain
With the extra effort you’re making while training, you can expect some muscle soreness. It may be mild if you make sure to warm up and cool down, but it’ll still be there. The soreness, the burning in your muscles—they’re an essential part of your training phase.
However, pain isn’t. You shouldn’t be feeling pain if you’re doing everything right. If you are, it’s likely your body’s way of telling you that you need to take a step back and rest.
When you feel stabbing in your muscles or the pain is preventing you from going about your day normally, it’s time to consult a doctor.
Expect Low Motivation
Motivation isn’t linear; it’s not a straight line that’ll keep going up as you get closer to the race. Expect some hard days with low motivation. Some days, you’ll want to stay in bed and ditch your workout. Some other days, you’ll be craving a greasy burger, and you’ll want to ditch your healthy diet.
It’s okay to go through these days, as long as you don’t succumb to the temptations.
You can trick your mind into convincing yourself to train. Just go out and say that you’ll walk for five minutes and go home. You’ll find yourself continuing after five minutes. And even if you don’t, at least you didn’t stay in bed all day.
Expect Negative Thoughts
You can’t run 10 miles without panting; how will you cross the finish line?
You can’t finish a 5k race; you’re too slow for that.
Have these thoughts already crossed your mind? Don’t worry; that’s completely normal. That little voice will keep sending negative thoughts through your mind. It’s important to learn how to deal with it.
Remember that all runners who cross 5k and 10k finish lines were once in the same stage as you. Nobody is born a runner; you eventually get there by training and developing a strong mindset.
Final Thoughts On How To Prepare For A 5K In 14 Weeks
If I were you, I wouldn’t worry much. You have plenty of time to prepare, test your limits, and practice. Remember to eat and sleep well, and don’t fret much about the negative thoughts. All of that will be gone on the big day!