Local 5K races provide the perfect opportunity for beginning runners to enter the wonderful world of running competitions. Running events are great for improving your running, increase your fitness, lose weight and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. 5K races are also great places for meeting new friends. Your personal coach will design a custom beginning runners 5K training program that will get you to the finish line of your first 5K race. This is a customized program that is designed specifically for you by a real running coach, not a computer program.

Coach Qualifications

Your training program will be designed and written by Running Planet president and founder, Rick Morris. A competitive runner for 35 years, Rick has been a professional running coach for over 20 years. He has trained hundreds of runners of all abilities from beginners to competitive athletes. Rick is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a personal trainer and a weight loss & lifestyle consultant.

Coaching Philosophy

We believe that all runners are individuals with their own specific needs, goals, abilities and experiences. In order to meet the needs of each unique client, all of our training programs are designed, from the ground up, for each and every runner. We will never use computer generated programs or formulas that spit out the same generic workouts for each person.

Our beginning runner 5K training programs incorporate a variety of training runs that may include endurance runs, lactate threshold training or introductory speed training, depending upon your current fitness level, experience and goal. For some clients we will include a strength training program that will be designed around your needs and abilities. Strength training will help you avoid injuries, improve your fitness and help you reach your goals more quickly.

What's Included?

Your training package is a complete educational game plan that includes a program overview, a custom eight week training schedule designed specifically for you, detailed workout descriptions and additional educational materials. All of your training and support materials will be delivered via e-mail in Adobe PDF format. You have the option of purchasing the custom program only or selecting the additional benefit of personal coaching. If you choose the personal coaching option, you will also have full access to your coach, via e-mail, for the duration of your training schedule.

How it Works

After signing up, you will receive a link on your confirmation screen to download your athlete questionnaire. Please fill out the questionnaire, sign and return. The questionaire will provide your coach with the information needed to design a custom program that will be of maximum benefit to you. After receiving your completed, signed questionaire and waiver, your coach will design your program and send all of your training materials to you via e-mail in Adobe PDF format. There are no long term or multi-month contracts that you must sign or commit to. You receive the entire 8 week beginning runner training program with all of the appropriate educational materials and, if you choose the personal coaching option, unlimited access to your coach for the full 8 weeks of your program.

Who is this program for?

This is a 5K training program for beginning runners. You should be able to run at least one mile before beginning this program. All participants in this program must be healthy with no physical or psychological conditions that would prohibit their engaging in strenuous physical activity.

What is the difference between the standard program and the personal coaching option?

The standard coaching program is for runners that are comfortable with training on their own and are able to make their own changes to the program as needed. The personal coaching option includes full coaching support, unlimited e-mail contact with your coach and any adjustments that are needed for the duration of your training program.