Tips For Running a 5k From the World's Best

Strength, endurance, speed, strategy. You need all of that for racing the 5k. Follow these tips for running a 5k from the world's best.

Racing the 5K

The 5k is a relatively short distance, and for this reason there isn't enough time to ease into the race. What you need to do is to warm up with 20 minutes jogging and a few strides so that you are ready to crack on the pace from the start line.

Your best strategy is to divide the race into three parts. The first part of the race, about three kilometers or so stay relaxed. From here start pushing harder and then with 1 kilometer to go give it your all to the end.

There's no way to run a 5k successfully without being on what I call the edge of uncomfortable. But that's where your training should prepare you. Listen for that voice inside your head that says, I can handle this.

You have to be prepared for it to hurt, if it doesn't hurt in the last part of the race, you're probably not running fast enough.

No matter how tired you are after your race, here's one of the tips for running a 5k you should not ignore. Be sure to get in a cool down run. Even if you take just five minutes to slowly jog and shake the lactic acid from your legs.

You will bounce back quicker and be ready for you run the next day, and of course limit your chance for injury.