No prior running needed but this program assumes youâre active at least three times per week. This is perfect for anyone whoâd like to take up running. Trust the process of a gradual build up to your first 5km!
If you've already completed a 5K or have more running experience, feel free to jump straight to the intermediate level.
5K Intermediate Running Plan
Week 1
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | (1min jog/ 6min walk) x 3. Zone 1-2. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 30-45min. Zone 1-2. |
|---|
| Thursday | (1min jog/ 6min walk) x 3. Zone 1-2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | (2min jog/ 5min walk) x 2. Zone 1-2. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 30-45min. Zone 1-2. |
|---|
Training tip:
Find a training buddy. Itâs so important to keep accountable to your program and also have fun at the same time! Having a training buddy makes sure you stick to your program and the chatting on your runs will make them feel easier.
Week 2
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | (2min jog/ 5min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 30-45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | (2min jog/ 5min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | (3min jog/ 4min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 30-45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: Try to vary the surfaces and locations of your runs (i.e. run on some trails, on grass, bike paths, country roads etc). This not only keeps the running interesting but challenges your body. Try to avoid overly hard surfaces (concrete) as you starting out.
Week 3
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | (3min jog/ 4min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | (4min jog/ 3min walk) x 2. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | (4min jog/ 3min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: By now you should be in a good routine so now is the time to focus on making sure you are hydrating well and fuelling your body with nutritious foods.
Week 4
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | (4min jog/ 3min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | (5min jog/ 2min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | (5min jog/ 2min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: Try to pick up the pace in your âwalkâ segments to a fast walk. Soon weâll be doing longer running blocks, so this helps with the transition.
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Week 5
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | (6min jog/ 2min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | (6min jog/ 1min walk) x 3. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | (8min jog/ 2min walk) x 2. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: With your goal race not far away, find a parkrun youâd like to do. Can be in your local area or somewhere youâd like to go to for your special day. Having meaningful goals (and this means race locations too) helps us on the way to achieving them so itâs up to you!

Week 6
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | (8min jog/ 2min walk) x 2. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | 10min jog. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | 10min jog. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: Congrats on getting to the halfway point of your program! Itâs important to celebrate short term goals along the way. Buy yourself a present or go out to your favourite cafĂ©. You deserve it!
Week 7
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | 12min jog + 4 x 80m strides at 70% max pace (walk back after each). Zone 2 to 3. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | 15min jog. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | 15min jog. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: Push hard with your training in these last few weeks. Often, itâs a time when you feel like itâs all too much BUT if you persist now, the results will come.
Week 8
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | 20min jog. Zone 2-3 |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | 20min jog. Zone 2-3 |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | 25min jog. Zone 2-3 |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: Letâs spice things up and why not try a run this week over some hills. Even if you just jog easy, adding in some hills will help with specific strength training. So important to include in any running program.
Week 9
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | 25min jog. Zone 2-3. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | 30min jog. Zone 2-3. |
|---|
| Thursday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | 30min jog + 4-6 x 80m strides at 70% max pace (slow jog back after each). Zone 2-3. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2. |
|---|
Training tip: How are your shoes feeling? If you pinch the mid sole and it crunches easily, then your shoes may be worn out. Treat yourself to some new shoes! Always try to get your shoes fitted by a professional â this helps with injury prevention, and youâll feel better running too! Never buy new shoes in the week before a race!
Week 10
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | 35min jog. Zone 2-3 |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | 35min jog. Zone 2-3 |
|---|
| Thursday | Walk or cross train 45min. Zone 2-3 |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | Fartlek session: 5min slow jog warm up, stop, quick stretch then: (90sec, 60sec, 30sec efforts) x 2 sets. Take 2min standing rest between sets. Efforts @ 60% max pace (so faster than jogging but not as fast as you can) 5min jog warm down. Zone 3-4. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train |
|---|
Training tip: Practice and patience are key in running. Now we have started some fartlek sessions, try to make sure youâre not going too hard at the start and finishing strongly. This is the same way to approach any race. Holding back at the start is key.
Week 11
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | 35-40min jog. Zone 2-3. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train. Zone 2-3. |
|---|
| Thursday | 40-45min jog. Zone 2-3. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | Interval session: Easy warm up jog 5min, stop, stretch then: 6 x 1min efforts with 90sec very slow jog recovery after each. Efforts @ 70% max pace (so a little quicker than your efforts last week). 5min jog warm down. Zone 3-4. |
|---|
| Sunday | Walk or cross train 45min |
|---|
Training tip: Practice everything for next Saturday! This includes race outfit, shoes, pre-race meal etc. This will help you feel more relaxed for your race which allows you to focus your energy on your running. Donât get sucked into âpanic trainingâ. The work is done, to get your best performance itâs now time to charge up.
Week 12 Taper week
| Day | Workout |
|---|
| Monday | Easy jog 15-20min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Tuesday | Rest |
|---|
| Wednesday | Walk or cross train 30min. Zone 2. |
|---|
| Thursday | Easy jog 10-15min then stop, quick stretch then: 4 x 70m strides @ about 80% max pace. Walk back after each. Zone 3-4. |
|---|
| Friday | Rest |
|---|
| Saturday | Race: Good luck! Zone 4-5. |
|---|
| Sunday | Rest, recovery, celebrate! |
|---|
Training tip: CELEBRATE this achievement!! Take some time to enjoy your huge achievement and when youâre ready to train again, why not pick a different goal?
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