This is an 6 Week 10k Base Building Training Program. This program is for beginners, those runners who have never run a 10k or are looking to train for one for the first time. The program will start you from scratch and slowly build over the next 6 weeks. By the end of the program, you should be able to complete a successful 10k.
It is a 2 month progression starting from a few easy weeks and building into full volume training.
1. TEMPO EFFORT. FASTER than an easy run, not faster than race pace. Should be able to hold a short convo with someone, if you needed to. These paces can be adjusted based on how hilly a course is, weather, and the fitness level you're at when you tackle the tempo run. However, you have to always come back to dialing in on the correct effort-- which is marathon pace on that given workout day.
2. THRESHOLD EFFORT. This is based off of roughly 10 mile- half marathon effort. These paces can be adjusted based on how hilly a course is, weather, sickness, and the fitness level you're at when you tackle the threshold workout. However, you have to always come back to dialing in on the correct effort-- which is 10 mile race pace on that given workout day.
3. Any other given training effort (10k, 5k, 3k, mile, 800, etc) is the effort on that specific training day. So, for example, if I say 6x30 seconds at mile effort and that is done on a slow cross country course, the PACE will be slower than if you did those same reps on a track. It's crucial that you are always dialing into the right effort under the circumstances you're facing that day.
4. RECOVERY RUN. Obviously this is a HUGE range because recovery is so different for everyone. However, I always tell my athletes, the slower the better. It's okay to jog, it's okay to run slow. This is where you grow and absorb the hard training sessions.
5. EASY RUN. These days can be a tad faster than a recovery run. However, you shouldn't even come close to dipping into the tempo zone and should never be faster than tempo pace.
6. STRIDES. Strides can be done on a track/road/trail wherever you are for your easy day. These should be effort based as well--unless on a track and then you can run around the appropriate pace assigned.
7. LONG RUN. They should be done faster than an "easy run" but not in the "tempo zone." Adjusting to terrain and feel.
8. HILLS. Not the same pace as you would run on a track. Adjust according to the grade and terrain of the hill. Using the effort as judgement.
Good luck!
Hammer & Axe Training was born out of a vision shared by a handful of elite distance runners. We found in our training that we ran our best when we committed to training our speed and strength equally. A focus on strength made us durable, strong, and prepared for the adversity that racing brings. A focus on speed made us confident, efficient, and ready to move when the right moment arrived. We wanted to bring this feeling of speed and strength to as many runners as possible.