4 km Training Guide (Intermediate – 8 Weeks)

Download your training guide here

Don’t forget to stretch! It’s important to start each training session with some stretches and gentle movement to prepare your body for your workout. After your session, cool down with more stretches to help with recovery.

If you’re getting comfortable running 4 km and want to up your intensity, this is the training guide for you. Over 8 weeks, you’ll improve your speed, strength and endurance, so you start hitting new personal bests.

Training days explained

Run: This refers to running at a pace that you are comfortable with. The key is that you cover the distance.

Fast run: There is no specific definition for this speed – it just needs to be faster than the comfortable pace you regularly run at. Get into the habit of timing your regular runs and your fast runs to ensure you are stepping up the speed a little.

Long run: Each weekend in this guide includes a long run. Run these at a comfortable pace – don’t think about how fast you’re going, just enjoy getting your legs moving. This is also a good opportunity to try out new courses or even go off road with some trail running. If you feel fatigued, take a drink break or slow down to a walk.

Interval training: This is how you improve your speed. Interval training involves bursts of running at an increased pace, followed by a recovery period running at a slower pace. For examole, run 400 m hard and fast, and recover by jogging or walking 400 m, then repeat. Before interval training it’s important to warm up by jogging a kilometre or two, stretching, and doing a few sprints of 100 m. Cool down afterwards with a short jog.

Tempo run: This training technique involves continuous runs with an easy beginning, a build up in the middle, then ease back and cruise to the finish. A typical tempo run begins with 5-10 minutes easy running, continues with 10-15 minutes faster running, and finishes with 5-10 minutes cooling down.

Rest: Rest days are an important part of your training. They give you an opportunity for your body to recover and your muscles to build in strength. Don’t be tempted to skip your recovery days – giving your body a rest will lead to better results in the long run.

Test: Week four includes a 4 km test, which is a timed 4 km run to track your improvement. If you don’t feel ready for this, head out for a solid 5 km run.

Stretch + strengthen: Stretching is key to a strong, supple body and should be done daily. Strength training, particularly for your core muscles, is an important focus of this training guide. Try bodyweight-based activities like push-ups, chin-ups or dips, or light weights with high reps at your local gym.

Download the full guide here