5K peak plans

I start a 12 week block before peak race. So base phase is just now until early April essentially in your case. I have found 12 weeks is the sweet spot to be race ready without overdoing it.

For cross training, I find the elliptical to be quite good at simulating running. The closer your cross training is to running, the better the carry over imo.

Now that I'm washed up, I typically run 6 days a week, with LR on Saturday and Sunday off. Mentally & physically refreshed...not optimal training but we're washed up so who cares. Best of luck.

Thanks! I too only do 6 days a week. LR on Sat(10-13) and rest on Sun. Only doing strides post base run 2 days a week. I think you're right, keeping it in base phase for 12 weeks may be mentally challenging but smarter in the long run to avoid injuries. so you thinking 3 months of speed training, I'm assuming easing into it, should be safe and enough time to be ready for my race?

Sorry, the 12 weeks was just talking about the "in season" phase. Base phase is just any running before the 12 week block. And yeah as for speed training, I usually just get 2 workouts a week in. Go by feel and try to be conservative if anything until you get a race in and see where your fitness is.

A 12 week block seems OK in general, but it depends on a particular person. I recall in my youth I usually peaked in mid May after started running in early March (was XC skiing the whole winter thru end March). So, 9-10 weeks. The second peak was in September. Maybe this was because I was too impatient, though. Now, at nearly 65 I am a little bit wiser and though there are still two peaks, they are rather smooth.

Good luck!