I plan to run a few 5Ks this year.

My first is next weekend.

I have full confidence in my ability to run a 5K. I don’t necessarily need to train for it as a distance.

Since it is a manageable distance for me, though, I’d like to run it at a faster pace.

That’s where training comes in.

It’s too late to do anything differently for the 5K next weekend - it’s a St. Patrick’s/Irish-themed 5K, and it will be a good run for me.

But I don’t have any real goals for the race other than to set myself a bar that I hope to pass with the other 5Ks I run this year.

The next 5K - the B.A.A. 5K, which is the first of the Distance Medley races - will be in 6 weeks.

And I thought it would be a good idea to try this Peloton 5K program as training for that race.

At some point today I’ll be doing the first run, and I think there are a few benefits to this:

I told you about my new work schedule. I’ve been working out in the afternoons because of that and that’s not my usual workout time. Having the structure of this program will take some of the guesswork out of what I’m doing each day. Instead of “What should I do?” most days will have a run that I should do. And I figure the in-between days can include some leg workouts and core or arm workouts.
My runs lately have been fine, but I’m not on as regular a routine as I’ve been. So this will help with that.
I think it will also help with the fact that I’ve been a little out of breath on a lot of my runs. As I said, a 5K will be a faster pace for me, so that will be expected, but I’m not in the greatest shape right now stamina-wise. Hopefully this program helps with that. I think part of that is just still residue from the early January illness I had, but I also think it’s that overall I’m not conditioned. It will be fun on a 15-mile run in July to think back to now when 4 miles is a little too much for me some days.
Most of this program, I think, is designed for the treadmill. I think that’s pretty good for March and early April, which can be a grab bag of weather. If there’s a really nice day I can probably take the run outdoors, but it might be good to just stick with the tread and not deal with wet or mud or possible other conditions if we’re hit with another round of snow.
I have never actually trained for a 5K in this fashion before. It will be good for me to do.

I’m not sure, to be honest, if this program is geared towards a beginner or someone who’s run 5Ks before. Usually Peloton runs can cater to both. I bet I can adjust it as needed.

What I am sure of is that it’ll help me get ready for a 5K in a new way. If it goes well, maybe I’ll use their 10K program for the B.A.A. 10K in June.