10K Workouts for Beginning and Advanced Runners

10K-Specific Workouts for Advanced Runners

This is a six-week progression for experienced runners who are stuck at a 10K plateau and need to structure their training for maximum results. Before starting this program, you should be able to perform 5 miles of hard intervals in training.

Week 1:

  • 2- to 3-mile warm-up
  • 16 x 400 meters at 10K goal race pace with 30 seconds rest
  • 1- to 2-mile cooldown

Week 2:

  • 2- to 3-mile warm-up
  • 10 x 800 meters at 10K pace with 45 seconds rest
  • 1- to 2-mile cooldown

Week 3:

  • 2- to 3-mile warm-up
  • 3 miles at 10K pace with 60 seconds rest
  • 5 x 1000 meters at 5K goal race pace with 60 seconds rest
  • 1- to 2-mile cooldown

Week 4:

  • 2- to 3-mile warm-up
  • 8 x 1000 meters at 10K pace with 30 seconds rest—hammer interval #7 as fast as you can
  • 1- to 2-mile cooldown

Week 5:

  • 2- to 3-mile warm-up
  • 3 x 2 miles at 10K pace with 90 seconds rest
  • 1- to 2-mile cooldown

Week 6:

  • 2- to 3-mile warm-up
  • 5 x 1 mile at 10K race pace—hammer #4 as fast as you can—with 45 seconds rest
  • 1 x 800 meters as fast as you can
  • 1- to 2-mile cooldown

Week 7: Race week

  • 2- to 3-mile warm-up
  • 2 x 1 mile at 3K-5K pace with 5 minutes rest
  • 2 x 400 meters at mile pace with 3 minutes rest
  • 2-mile cooldown

More: Race-Week Workouts for Success

You should perform one tempo or threshold workout in addition to these 10K-specific workouts each week. Your long run should be 12 to 16 miles, depending on your total weekly mileage.

The next time you're building your 10K training plan, think about the specific demands of the race distance, count back six weeks, and schedule this series of progressive, race-specific workouts.

More: How to Kill Your 10K PR

Active logo Sign up for your next 10K race.
PREV
  • 3
  • of
  • 3

About the Author

jeff gaudette

Jeff Gaudette

Jeff Gaudette is a 2:22 marathoner and owner of RunnersConnect, a team of expert coaches dedicated to helping you run faster with the latest running and nutrition research as well as training insights from elite runners. He recently released a free eBook, 16 Weeks to a Faster Marathon. Download it now.
Jeff Gaudette is a 2:22 marathoner and owner of RunnersConnect, a team of expert coaches dedicated to helping you run faster with the latest running and nutrition research as well as training insights from elite runners. He recently released a free eBook, 16 Weeks to a Faster Marathon. Download it now.

Discuss This Article