Couch to 5K Calendar Plan
Couch to 5K Plan
Month 1 of 2
Weeks 1–4 • Aerobic Foundation & Consistency
Runner Name ___________________
Start Date ____ / ____ / 2026
Target 5K Date ____ / ____ / 2026
Golden Rule: Run at a conversational pace. If you cannot speak in full sentences, slow down!
Run Day Active Walk Rest
Mon
Tue • Run 1
Wed
Thu • Run 2
Fri
Sat • Run 3
Sun
WK 1 REST
Rest day & gentle mobility stretches
Ready shoes
DAY 1
5m Walk Warmup 8× (60s Jog / 90s Walk) + 5m Cooldown walk
20m interval total
RECOVERY
20–30m easy brisk walk or light yoga
Hydrate well
DAY 2
5m Walk Warmup 8× (60s Jog / 90s Walk) + 5m Cooldown walk
Keep pace relaxed
REST
Full recovery day. Foam rolling or easy walk.
Sleep 8 hrs
DAY 3
5m Walk Warmup 8× (60s Jog / 90s Walk) + 5m Cooldown walk
Week 1 complete!
REST
Full rest or gentle stroll in the park
Log feelings
WK 2 REST
Rest or 15m mobility & calf stretches
DAY 4
5m Walk Warmup 6× (90s Jog / 2m Walk) + 5m Cooldown walk
21m interval total
ACTIVE
25m brisk walk or easy stationary cycle
Easy breathing
DAY 5
5m Walk Warmup 6× (90s Jog / 2m Walk) + 5m Cooldown walk
Focus on posture
REST
Full rest day. Hydrate & stretch quads/calves.
Rest = growth
DAY 6
5m Walk Warmup 6× (90s Jog / 2m Walk) + 5m Cooldown walk
Week 2 complete!
REST
Rest or leisurely family walk
Reflect & relax
WK 3 REST
Rest day & gentle hamstrings stretch
DAY 7
5m Warmup 2 rounds of: [90s Jog, 90s Walk, 3m Jog, 3m Walk] + 5m Cooldown walk
Stepping up to 3 mins!
CROSS
30m gentle swim, walk, or yoga session
Low impact
DAY 8
5m Warmup 2 rounds of: [90s Jog, 90s Walk, 3m Jog, 3m Walk] + 5m Cooldown walk
Control breathing
REST
Rest day. Hydrate & elevate legs.
Recovery day
DAY 9
5m Warmup 2 rounds of: [90s Jog, 90s Walk, 3m Jog, 3m Walk] + 5m Cooldown walk
Week 3 complete!
REST
Full rest day. Recharge for Week 4.
Prep mindset
WK 4 REST
Rest or 15m light walking & dynamic mobility
DAY 10
5m Warmup 3m Jog, 90s Walk, 5m Jog, 2.5m Walk, 3m Jog, 90s Walk, 5m Jog + 5m Cooldown
16 mins total running
ACTIVE
30m gentle walk or easy outdoor cycling
Active recovery
DAY 11
5m Warmup 3m Jog, 90s Walk, 5m Jog, 2.5m Walk, 3m Jog, 90s Walk, 5m Jog + 5m Cooldown
Trust your rhythm
REST
Full rest day. Good nutrition and sleep.
Rest = strength
DAY 12
5m Warmup 3m Jog, 90s Walk, 5m Jog, 2.5m Walk, 3m Jog, 90s Walk, 5m Jog + 5m Cooldown
Month 1 Complete! 🎉
REST
Rest & celebrate 4 weeks of consistent work!
Halfway mark
Warm-Up & Form Routine
- • Always start: 5 mins brisk walking to elevate heart rate safely.
- • Posture: Keep head up, shoulders relaxed, arms swinging naturally.
- • Footstrike: Land softly under hips; take light, quick steps.
- • Cool-down: 5m walk + static calf, quad, and hamstring stretches.
Month 1 Milestone Tracker
12 of 12 Runs Target
Runs Completed:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Biggest Month 1 Win:
How I feel:
Stronger Less winded Ready for Month 2
Couch to 5K Plan
Month 2 of 2
Weeks 5–9 • Continuous Stamina & 5K Graduation
Goal 5K Event / Route ___________________
Graduation Target 3.1 Miles (30+ Min)
Milestone Month: Week 5 Day 3 is your turning point (20m non-stop). Trust your training!
Continuous Run Milestone
Mon
Tue • Run 1
Wed
Thu • Run 2
Fri
Sat • Run 3
Sun
WK 5 REST
Rest & light leg stretching
DAY 13
5m Walk Warmup 3× (5m Jog / 3m Walk) + 5m Cooldown
15m run total
ACTIVE
25m brisk walk or light spin
Stay loose
DAY 14
5m Walk Warmup 8m Jog, 5m Walk, 8m Jog + 5m Cooldown
16m run total
REST
Full rest. Hydrate for Day 15!
Early bedtime
DAY 15
5m Walk Warmup 20 MIN NON-STOP JOG! No walking • 5m cool
Big Milestone! ⭐
REST
Celebrate your 20-min continuous run!
Proud moment
WK 6 REST
Rest or gentle 20m stroll
DAY 16
5m Warmup 5m Jog, 3m Walk, 8m Jog, 3m Walk, 5m Jog + 5m Cooldown
18m run total
ACTIVE
30m walk or easy stationary bike
Low heart rate
DAY 17
5m Warmup 10m Jog, 3m Walk, 10m Jog + 5m Cooldown
20m run total
REST
Full rest day. Stretch hips & calves.
Recovery day
DAY 18
5m Walk Warmup 22 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG No walking • 5m cool
Week 6 complete!
REST
Rest or leisure walk with friends
Recharge
WK 7 REST
Rest day & mobility work
DAY 19
5m Walk Warmup 25 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG + 5m Cooldown walk
Steady rhythm
ACTIVE
30m easy walk or swimming
Aerobic base
DAY 20
5m Walk Warmup 25 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG + 5m Cooldown walk
Relax shoulders
REST
Full rest day. Good nutrition.
Recovery day
DAY 21
5m Walk Warmup 25 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG + 5m Cooldown walk
Week 7 complete!
REST
Rest & prep for Week 8
Almost there
WK 8 REST
Rest or gentle 15m walk
DAY 22
5m Walk Warmup 28 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG + 5m Cooldown walk
Nearly 30 mins!
ACTIVE
25m gentle recovery walk
Easy flush
DAY 23
5m Walk Warmup 28 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG + 5m Cooldown walk
Solid stamina
REST
Full rest day. Good hydration.
Rest well
DAY 24
5m Walk Warmup 28 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG + 5m Cooldown walk
Week 8 complete!
REST
Rest. Final race week begins tomorrow!
Race week!
WK 9 REST
Rest, stretch, lay out race outfit
DAY 25
5m Walk Warmup 30 MIN CONTINUOUS JOG + 5m Cooldown walk
Confidence run!
RECOVERY
20m very easy walk or light mobility
Tapering
DAY 26
5m Warmup 20 MIN SHAKEOUT JOG Easy & relaxed stride
Legs fresh & ready
REST
Pre-race rest! Hydrate & early sleep.
Hydrate & rest
DAY 27 • 5K GRADUATION RUN!
5m Warmup Walk RUN 3.1 MILES (5K) CONTINUOUS! Maintain rhythmic breathing and finish strong!
OFFICIAL 5K FINISHER! 🏅 3.1 MILES
5K Race Day Strategy
-
- Pre-Run Fuel: Banana or toast with peanut butter 90–120 mins before.
-
- Pacing: Run Mile 1 slightly slower than you think you need to.
-
- Nothing New: Wear familiar shoes, socks, and clothes from training.
-
- Breathe: Inhale for 3 steps, exhale for 2 steps to stay calm.
5K Finisher Graduation Log
Certificate of Completion
Finish Time ____:____ min
Date Completed ____ / ____ / 2026
Course / Event ________________
Runner Signature:
Next Step: Keep Running!