Prepping for a 5K
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: September 27, 2010
Runner Ruth Sawkins estimates she's been in hundreds of races. "Today I still use it for stress relief and I've been involved in running for 10 years."
But if you're a beginner - you can cause physical problems if you try too much too soon. Freeman Physical Therapist Kendra Boswell says you should expect to spend 8-10 weeks training for a 5k. "Depending on the amount of experience they've had previously running, going to depend on their past injury history and also just whether or not they've been physically active."
Most programs focus on alternating running and walking at first. Runners can pick up the pace as they go. But Boswell adds you need to pay attention to aches and pains. If symptoms persist, Freeman offers a free athletic assessment of the problem. "They just come in - the athletic trainer will look them over. Then they'll give them a recommendation on what they think they should do - whether they think they should go to a physician for additional care."
