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View the original article at: http://www.origin.shape.com/fitness/sports/running/get_in_the_race

Get in the Race

Race


Even if you've never considered yourself capable of participating in a race, you'll be ready to go by the end of this program. Created exclusively for Shape by competitive marathon runner and sports therapist Phil Wharton, co-author of The Whartons' Cardio-Fitness Book (Three Rivers Press, 2001), The Whartons' Strength Book (Times Books, 1999) and The Whartons' Stretch Book (Times Books, 1996), the 12-week program packs two workouts into one.

Three weekly walk/run plans will build your cardio endurance to ensure a race-ready body. The bonus? You'll boost confidence by setting small goals and progressively achieving them.

With this easy-to-follow program, you'll burn significant calories, see an incredible boost in your energy, reduce your risk for disease and, best of all, feel great about yourself.

The Cardio Workout
Frequency You'll be walking/running 3 days a week—either outdoors or on a treadmill (for hill/stair reps, try a stair climber). You'll also be doing a stretch/strength workout 2 days a week, and have 1 rest day, so strive to stagger those in between your cardio days.
Pacing If you're just starting out, walk briskly until you're ready to run. If running feels uncomfortable, slow your gait or power-walk. If your goal is to walk a 10k, just substitute walking during all running sequences.
Warm-up Before walking/running, perform 3-4 reps of glute and quadriceps stretches, which will increase your circulation. Follow this with 5 minutes of easy walking.
Cool-down Perform 3-4 reps of glute and quadriceps stretches, adding additional stretches if you have time.
 

Your 12-Week Cardio Calendar

Week 1
Day 1 10 min. easy run
Day 2 12 min. of intervals, alternating 1 min. easy run with 1 min. moderate run
Day 3 12 min. easy run

Week 2
Day 1 12 min. easy run
Day 2 12 min. of intervals, alternating 1 min. easy run with 1 min. moderate run
Day 3 15 min. easy run

Week 3
Day 1 15 min. easy run
Day 2 15 min. of intervals, alternating 1 min. easy run with 1 min. moderate run
Day 3 17 min. easy run

Week 4
Day 1 15 min. of hill/stair reps, alternating 1 min. moderate run up with 1 min. easy run down
Day 2 17 min. easy run
Day 3 20 min. easy run

Week 5
Day 1 17 min. of hill/stair reps, alternating 1 min. moderate run up with 1 min. easy run down
Day 2 20 min. easy run
Day 3 25 min. of intervals, alternating 5 min. easy run with 5 min. moderate run

Week 6
Day 1 25 min. easy run
Day 2 25 min. of intervals, alternating 30 seconds easy run with 30 seconds moderate run
Day 3 Run a 5k race! (3.1 miles)

Week 7
Day 1 24 min. moderate run
Day 2 25 min. of intervals, alternating 1 min. easy run/1 min. moderate run/1 min. fast run
Day 3 35 min. of intervals, alternating 5 min. easy run with 5 min. moderate run

Week 8
Day 1 40 min. of intervals, alternating 1 min. moderate run with 1 min. easy run
Day 2 35 min. of hill/stair reps, alternating 2 min. moderate run up with 2 min. easy run down
Day 3 40 min. of city-block/telephone-pole intervals: alternate running 1 block (or 1 pole to pole) easy with running 2 blocks (or 2 poles) fast

Week 9
Day 1 45 min. moderate run
Day 2 35 min. of hill/stair reps, alternating 2 min. moderate run up with 2 min. easy run down
Day 3 45 min. of long intervals, alternating 10 min. moderate run with 5 min. easy run

Week 10
Day 1 50 min. of city-block/telephone-pole intervals: alternate running 1 block (or pole) easy with 3 blocks (or poles) fast
Day 2 45 min. of hill/stair reps, alternating 5 min. moderate run up with 5 min. easy run down
Day 3 50 min. moderate run

Week 11
Day 1 40 min. of long intervals, alternating 5 min. easy run/20 min. moderate run/5 min. easy run/10 min. moderate run
Day 2 50 min. of hill/stair reps, alternating 5 min. moderate run up with 5 min. easy run down
Day 3 50 min. of short intervals, alternating 30 seconds easy run with 30 seconds fast run

Week 12
Day 1 55 min. moderate run
Day 2 25 min. of short intervals, alternating 30 seconds easy run with 30 seconds moderate run
Day 3 Run a 10k race! (6.2 miles)

Make It a Marathon (26.2 miles)
Do the time You'll need 6 months of progressive training with 6 weeks of mini-goal cycles, building distance. Progress from our 10k program by adding 5 minutes to one run a week. By week 24, you should be doing one 2-hour run every 2 weeks. Don't do more long runs, or you may not get to the starting line healthy.
Push the stretching Strive to stretch before and after you walk/run, and go for the deepest stretch your body will allow. This will help prevent training injuries and increase performance.
Train on soft stuff Surfaces like grass, wood chips or asphalt (rather than cement) minimize wear and tear on joints.
Listen to your body Get lots of rest. Don't be afraid to slow your gait when you get tired. If you feel you're not recovering from your training, back off for a week or two until you're feeling strong again.
Enjoy the process Focus on race day, but don't forget to relish the daily training.
Fuel up Eat even more healthfully and drink even more. Sports drinks are ideal for events lasting 60 minutes or longer, providing carbohydrates, electrolytes and fluid. Aim for 4-6 ounces every 15-20 minutes, throughout the race.