One of the best pieces of advice I ever got early when I started running went along like this.
Person X: So what what race are you training for?
Me: I’m hoping to do a half marathon!
Person X: Have you run a half marathon before?
Me: Yes I’ve done one, I’m hoping to better my time in the next one.
Person X: How fast can you run a 5k race?
I’m wondering at this point – hmm why does it matter how fast I can run a 5k if I’m training for a half?
Me: I think in about 25-30mins..
Person X: well, you should train to run a fast 5k & you’ll be able to run a fast half marathon.
And then he went onto explain why this is.
To run a fast half marathon, you have to be able to run a fast 10k, to run a fast 10k you need to run a fast 5k and in order to run a fast 5k you have to run a fast 1k!
The 5k distance is a good measure for testing your cardiovascular strength. I’ve been incorporating at least one 5k race into my training schedule week in week out to help get my legs speed up.
Since starting to run the regular 5k races my speed endurance has increased considerably. So if you are just starting out sign up for a local 5k race. There are lots of 5k runs throughout the year & for some events you only need to show up ( http://www.parkrun.co.nz ) there is no cost involved. 5k events run by some of the local athletics clubs charge about $5-$10 which usually includes a free drink post race & the chance to meet some other runners. I am regularly at the Wellington Scottish water front 5k in Wellington (Tuesday at 5:30) & Lower Hutt Parkrun (Saturday at 8:00am).
Hope to see you at one of 5k races & happy running!
74 running 
Good advice and a great motivating tool!
I am trying to acquire a love for running. Have completed various 5ks and now 3 half marathons but practically dragging myself to the finish line…I hear stories about people who just do it and love it. I do it and still suck at it
Good luck in your running endeavors. PK
Well, I’m one of those people who do it and love it, but it took training and time to get from “drag myself out there” to “can’t wait to run”. PK, do you have a coach or training plan for your half marathons? You could be going out too fast, which takes away all the fun at the end. But congrats on finishing them!
Hi PK, like Jeff said – sometimes if you feel like its a mission to get going go for shorter options. I built up over a two year period of just solid running. Check out my post titled “How much do you run” – https://74running.com/2013/01/15/how-much-do-you-run/ where i talk about how i built up slowly.
Happy running!
74Runner, thanks for checking out and following my blog! Good luck on your races. And yes, running 5Ks are definitely good for you. My first race was a 5K (2008) and it got me hooked. Never would have gotten to a marathon (and beyond) without those first short ones.
Hi Jeff, thanks very much. I’ve been slowly building up to completing a marathon. This year I’m training to finish my first in June. Ive chosen a local event as it’s the easiest and also on familiar surroundings.
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