This week’s coaching call with Team Strength Running member Chris Robinson will help put all the pieces together for running a fast 5k. This episode originally aired in 2021 but remains useful and relevant for any runner hoping to take their racing to the next level.

Chris is a cross-country coach at Eureka College who has raced a variety of distances from 5ks to ultras. His sub-20 5k PR came several years ago in the midst of primarily aerobic half-marathon training. Since then his training has varied in consistency, as he has often put the needs of his collegiate runners ahead of his own.

To challenge himself, Chris planned to race a 5k every month of the year as motivation to get back to consistent training and earn a new PR at the distance. We discuss his running background and training history, then delve into what he can do moving forward to train for a PR without getting burned out or injured from monthly racing.

Our conversation covers:

How Chris has struggled in the past with training structure
Why increasing volume should be his initial priority
How to implement speed maintenance work and strength training
Strategies to keep his easy runs truly easy
Why capacity building also improves your ability to sharpen your fitness
Creating a plan to gradually make workouts more challenging and race-specific

If you’re looking to improve in the 5k or just learn how to improve your training structure, you’ll enjoy my conversation with Chris!

Links & Resources from the Show:

Learn more about Team Strength Running
Read more about training as a masters runner
Structure your training to sharpen for a 5k

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Thank you to our Performance Training Journal!

We’re also brought to you by our very own Performance Training Journal, which is now available on Amazon. Since I started running in 1998, I’ve kept a hardcopy training journal. Holding a tangible log, writing in it daily, and reflecting on the ups and downs of running is a surefire way to improve.

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310. How to Engineer a Massive 5k Personal Best (Coaching Call repost with Chris Robinson)

The Strength Running Podcast

310. How to Engineer a Massive 5k Personal Best (Coaching Call repost with Chris Robinson)