OFF YOUR ASS TO RUNNING FAST: NOT YOUR TYPICAL COUCH TO 5K TRAINING PLAN

I feel kind of bad for the guy who originally coined the phrase 'Couch to 5K.' I'm sure it's a running coach somewhere that is not raking the big bucks because he coined the most popular phrase used in every 5K marketing plan in every running store, training facility and online coaching site in the world. I am pretty sure this guy isn't getting royalties every time someone uses the phrase 'couch to 5K' or else he's filthy rich and I probably owe him a few bucks. 

I have a couch to 5K training plan but I don't like to call it that. It's my 'Off your ass to running fast' 5K training plan, because it's not your typical couch to 5K.

12 Week 5K training plan. Save to Pinterest for later.

WHY IT'S DIFFERENT!

Couch to 5K plans typically rely on time, not mileage and make the assumption that once you can run 31 minutes, you can run 3.1 miles. However, if you run slower than a 10 minute mile (which new runners often do) then even after completing the training, you may not have built up to a 5K. I solve this issue by incorporating both time and mileage. We have a daily total mileage goal which is achieved by repeating run/walk intervals for time. You'll see what I mean in a minute. 

Each week you will run two or three times a week. Starting with two runs and progressing as you build your mileage base.

During the workout you will alternate between the running and walking intervals for the specified distance. For example for the first week you will run for one minute, then walk for two minutes, then run again for one minute. Keep repeating the run/walk intervals until you reach the specified distance of one mile. If you are in the middle of an interval once you reach your mileage goal, then the choice is yours on how to continue depending on how you feel.

You could either stop the current interval once you hit the mileage goal (for example you may be 45 seconds into a two minute interval when you hit the two mile mark) or you could choose to complete the final interval and go over your mileage goal. I leave this up to you to play by ear, depending on how you feel during the run.

I also incorporate strength training into my training plan, because the healthiest, strongest, fastest runners do at least some runner-specific strength training. I want to help you get across the finish line in record time without any injuries. You don't need to join a gym or spend a lot of money on weights. Most of the exercises can be done with only your bodyweight. 

COACH LEA'S SUCCESS TIPS:

Always warm up before every run. Try this dynamic warm up and/or these five minute hip exercises before you hit the road. Don't skip it. If you don't have time to warm up, then I'd prefer you cut your run 10 minutes short. Yes, it's that important.

Start out running slow. Go slower than you think you need to. A big mistake new runners make is that they start out to fast and are gassed out before they ever had a chance. Go slower than you think you need. When it feels hard, slow down even more. We can work on speed later, this program is intended to build your endurance. Once you graduate, we can work on a speed program, but for now, don't worry about it. 

Take at least two full rest days a week and listen to your body. Take more rest if needed. Rest and recovery is as important as the training, it is all part of the plan. Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Better sleep quality equals better recovery and better performance. It's important.

You can take a leisurely walk, foam roll, or stretch on your rest days. Walking on off days is a great way to build endurance and train "time of your feet."

Do two full body strength training session a week on non-running days. Try this workout, this workout or this workout or explore the site for more ideas.

Starting with week six replace one run a week with hill repeats. You can learn more about running hills in this blog post. Hills will help you build strength and make those flat runs feel oh so easy! Take a rest day after hill day. 

Nutrition is important for performance. Check out this post on nutrition for runners. If you are training for a 5K, it's a good idea to start fueling like a runner. 

Taper during week 12. This means rest more than usual! Your only hard workout should be your goal 5K race of 3.1 miles.

TOOLS

Always run in running-specific shoes. Running in your old gym shoes can lead to injuries. Pro Tips on how to buy the best running shoes for you. 

You'll need a way to measure both time intervals and miles.

Download the printable PDF 12 week 5k training plan and tracker. Save to Pinterest for later.

I have given you all the tools you need to complete this on your own. Do you want some additional accountability and help during your training? With online run coaching, I can help you through the whole process.

Want even more personalized service? I can write you a unique training plan built to your own needs, goals, and abilities. All personalized training plans are dynamic, which means they change and adapt as you do. Learn more about personalized running coaching to run your first and fastest race distance. 

Questions? I'd love to help.

Like this post? Consider sharing with your friends and followers. 

Coach Lea

GET AFTER IT: 30 WORKOUT IDEAS FROM 2017 TO TRY IN THE NEW YEAR

Welcome to the final Workout Wednesday for 2017! How was your year? Did you achieve your health and fitness goals for 2017? Are you progressing forward in 2018? How can I help? 

To finish off the year, I thought I'd share 30 workout ideas from 2017. Scroll through, check them out, see if there is something you want to try in 2018 and let me know how it goes. Y

As a reminder, my fitness dice giveaway ends soon, so get your entries in if you want a chance to win. I hope you'll continue to follow along in 2018 for new workouts for the new year!

30 WORKOUT IDEAS FROM 2017 TO TRY IN THE NEW YEAR!

Like this post? Please consider sharing with your friends and followers. 

Tweet

Happy New Year, friends! Wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2018!

COACH LEA

ROLL THE DICE WORKOUT & A FITNESS DICE GIVEAWAY

Welcome to an exciting edition of workout Wednesday! Each week I share a new running or strength training for runners workout, but his week I am sharing a unique workout idea and am giving away these fun fitness dice that I found at the store Five Below. 

These are 12-sided foam dice with bodyweight exercises on each side. Set the timer for 20 minutes and start rolling. See how many exercises you can get in during that timeframe while maintaining proper form.

I am a big believer in workout programming, structure and progression, but there is nothing wrong with having a little fun with fitness once in awhile. While I wouldn't usually assign exercises at random, it's a fun way to shake things up. Exercise doesn't have to be boring.

If you don't have these dice at home you can enter to win one or create a workout use my dice chart below with regular dice. 

Roll the Dice Workout. Save to Pinterest for later.

Not everyone has these special fitness dice or access to buy them, so I transferred the exercises to the below chart so you can play with regular dice. 

Roll the Dice workout. Save to Pinterest for Later

Always progress or regress the exercises as necessary for your fitness level. For example, if jump squats or jump lunges are too advanced (or hard on your joints), then replace with regular squats and lunges. If 15 burpees are too many (that's a lot of burpees!) then do 10 or 5 instead. Exercise is not all-or-nothing. Do what you can. Always adjust to your own fitness level. It's not a good idea to blindly follow workouts on the internet (or on fitness dice). Know your limits. Push yourself but use common sense. Deal? Deal. 

Download a printable version of this workout or save to Pinterest for later.

Do you want to win a foam fitness dice? It's easy. It only takes one entry to win. Follow me on social media or share this post for additional entries. You must claim your entries in the raffle form below. Good luck. Winner must reside in the United States. Winner will be randomly drawn from all entries. All winning entries will be verified as completed. Inaccurate or unverified entries will be disqualified. If a winning entry can't be verified it will be disqualified and a  new winner will be drawn. Winner will be notified by email. Winner has three business days to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn. Prize will be shipped from Fort Worth, TX within one week of contest end. Lea Genders Fitness paid for prize and will cover shipping costs. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COACH LEA

GOT 15 MINUTES? TRY THIS 3X3 RUNNING HIIT WORKOUT

Welcome to the latest edition of workout Wednesday, when each week I share a new running or strength training for runners workout. The theme lately has been quick and efficient workouts. I know we are all busy this time of year so I've been focusing on workouts that you can get in and get back to life. 

This 3x3 running HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout is only 15 minutes but it is sure to keep you on track with your running goals when you're busy.

This workout is appropriate for runners that have a strong running base (runs several times a week on a consistent basis for four to six weeks). I recommend that most runners limit high intensity workouts to one or two times per week with recovery runs or rest days between hard workouts. We get stronger and faster during the rest after the workout, not during the workout itself. If you don't allow proper recovery, you won't see the full benefits of your hard work. 

Always warm up before beginning a running workout. I suggest a dynamic warm up like this one, then three to five minutes of an easy jog. 

In this workout you will run 3x3 hard effort intervals (about 8 out of ten on a scale from 1-10 or 80-90% of max heart-rate) with two minute jog recovery between reps. Be careful to pace yourself during the hard effort intervals, three minutes can feel like an eternity when you are pushing yourself, choose a pace that you can maintain for three minutes. It may take some experimenting to find the right pace for you. 

3x3 Running HIIT workout. Save to Pinterest for later

There's a reason I don't assign specific paces for workouts posted on my blog. If you pace yourself by effort, you will always run the correct pace for your abilities. One runner may find that a nine minute mile pace is a hard effort, while that may be an easy recovery pace to another runner. Never try to hit arbitrary paces assigned on the internet. Work at your own fitness level and abilities to avoid injuries, burnout and to progress properly. 

If you would like personalized running coaching, we can work together to reach your running goals. I can help you determine the exact appropriate pace based on your fitness level, experience, abilities and goals. 

download a printable PDF of the 3x3 running HIIT workout or save to Pinterest for later.

Like this post? It helps me when you share with your friends and followers. 

Tweet

COACH LEA

O FITNESS TREE HOLIDAY CHALLENGE: STAY ACTIVE

I know it's hard. Really, I do. This time of year is just so busy. You have good intentions of hitting the gym for an hour or lacing up those running shoes but life just gets in the way. I get it. I want to remind you that exercise doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing activity. If you don't have time for an hour workout, can you find 10 minutes? How about two?

You shouldn't feel guilty for being busy or for holiday travel or anything else life throws your way. Your only job is to genuinely do the best you can with what you have. Sometimes the best you can do is five minutes of Yoga and sometimes it's a full CrossFit workout. There is no right or wrong way to move your body. Do what you can.

The most important thing is that you keep exercise top of mind. Do a little when you can and do more when you can. If you can get in the habit of doing some movement, anything, every day you get your mind in the right place for longer and more intense workouts when you're ready. Make movement a daily habit. Start small, build later. 

A five minute workout is always better than an hour workout you didn't do. Do your new year resolutions involve exercise like the majority of people? Then start making exercise a daily habit in December.

That's why I put together this O Fitness Tree workout that gives you quick exercises you can do every day in the days leading up to Christmas. Sure, if you can fit in a full workout on one of these days, that's great. But just in case the stars don't align, I've given you a blueprint to follow. Consider it a challenge to complete at least the exercises of the day. Do more if you have time. Change up the exercises if one of these doesn't work for you. Most days will take you five minutes or less to complete. I assigned a couple of cardio days because walking and running can be a stress reliever and we could all use a little bit of that this time of year,

12 Days, that's it. Can you move for 12 days straight? Accept the challenge in these days leading up to Christmas.

O FITNESS TREE HOLIDAY CHALLENGE: STAY ACTIVE

DAY ONE

Get outside and run or walk one mile. Do it on your own or use this as an opportunity to inspire someone to move with you. Maybe you can recruit a family member, a neighbor, a coworker or even a dog to go with you. 

DAY TWO

Perform 15 squats and 15 pushups. Do them all at once or break them up throughout the day. Maybe do 3 sets of 5 reps of each exercise. If you can not do pushups on the ground try incline pushups against a sturdy table top, bench or counter top.

DAY THREE

Perform a one minute elbow plank and 30 seconds of a side plank on each side. Break it up into sets of 15 second planks or 10 seconds planks if you need.

DAY FOUR

side lunge

15 lunges on each leg and 15 side lunges on each leg.

DAY FIVE

mountain climbers

20 mountain climbers and 20 push ups. Break them up into sets (try 2 sets of 10) or complete them all at once. 

DAY SIX

Start the timer on your watch and briskly walk or run for 20 minutes. See how far you can go in this time. Race a friend or just enjoy the time outdoors. Your call. 

DAY SEVEN

One minute wall sit (break it up as needed), 1 minute high knees. Get that heart-rate up! 

DAY EIGHT

Perform a one minute elbow plank and one minute each of a side plank on each side. Break it up into sets of 15 second planks or 10 seconds planks as needed.

DAY NINE

Perform 20 squats and 20 push ups. It's five more reps than last time. We are progressing. 

DAY TEN

20 lunges on each leg and 20 side lunges on each leg.

DAY ELEVEN

30 mountain climbers and 20 pushups, break them up as needed.

DAY TWELVE

Go walk or run for 30 minutes. See how far you can go in this time. Inspire someone to join you.

The most important thing to consider when completing any challenge is how it will change your life once the challenge is complete. If you do these exercises for 12 days then go back to sitting on the couch for a Game of Thrones marathon (guilty as charged!) then you didn't get much out of it.

However if you use these 12 days to build the habit of exercise that will serve you for the rest of the year and into 2018 then the challenge was a success. Don't just move for 12 days, train your brain into the habit of daily movement. Keep it going. Five minutes or 50 minutes, move every day. 

download a free printable PDF of the O Fitness tree workout tracker

Like this post? It helps me when you share with your friends and followers. 

Tweet

Coach Lea