Training To Walk A 5K

Many people love the thought of taking part in a 5k race, for many reasons, but not everyone is capable of running one. Some are just too unfit, out of shape or old to be able to safely run a 5k, so their aim may simply be training to walk a 5k.

However you approach the task of preparing to take part in a 5k race the same principles apply. You must practice and prepare yourself for the challenge ahead.

Walking 3.1 miles in one go may not sound much of a challenge to some people, but to others it can be a very daunting task. Everybody has a different starting position and we can all get better and improve no matter how fit or unfit we are to begin with.

Here are some important tips to follow if you’re training to walk a 5k race:-

Start out small

Try some very short walks to begin with. If you aren’t used to walking at all then break your training down in to smaller chunks, for example 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes at night.

Don’t Be In A Hurry

Whilst there are some training techniques you can use that will be a big help in your training that involve using various speeds of walking, to begin with keep it simple. Use a comfortable pace that allows you to hold a conversation that you can easily maintain for the duration of your walk.

Build Up Gradually

Obviously you’ll need to have the fitness levels to be able to walk the entire 3.1 miles in one go, so your aim during training is to build up to this distance without stopping. On each walk try to go a little further, but build this up gradually.

If you’re training to walk a 5k, then there are a number of techniques you can use that will help you to improve far quicker than simply walking at the same pace week in week out. For a complete beginners walking training schedule visit couch potato to 5k to find out more.