Week 2

Week 2: Building Consistency (June 28-July 4, 2025)

In your second week, we’ll focus on building consistency in your training routine. The run/walk intervals will shift slightly to give you more running time, but we’re still keeping the overall workload manageable as your body adapts.

Week 2 Goals

  • Maintain your training schedule with all prescribed workouts
  • Adjust to the new run/walk intervals (2.5 min run/2.5 min walk)
  • Focus on proper running form
  • Begin tracking your perceived effort levels (1-10 scale)

Daily Workout Schedule

Monday: Rest Day

Take a complete rest day to recover from Week 1. Light stretching is fine if you’re feeling stiff, but avoid any running or strenuous activity.

Tuesday: Easy Run/Walk

Total Time: 30 minutes

Step 1: Warm-up (5 minutes)
  • Walk briskly for 2 minutes
  • Perform dynamic stretches for 3 minutes:
    • 10 leg swings (each leg)
    • 10 arm circles forward and backward
    • 10 walking lunges
    • 20 seconds high knees
    • 20 seconds butt kicks
Step 2: Main Workout (20 minutes)
  • Run 2.5 minutes / Walk 2.5 minutes
  • Repeat this cycle 4 times
  • Keep running at a conversational pace
  • Focus on maintaining good form throughout each running segment
Step 3: Cool-down (5 minutes)
  • Walk slowly for 2 minutes
  • Perform static stretches for 3 minutes:
    • Calf stretch (30 seconds each side)
    • Quad stretch (30 seconds each side)
    • Hamstring stretch (30 seconds each side)
    • Hip flexor stretch (30 seconds each side)

Wednesday: Cross-Training

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Option 1: Cycling
  • 35-45 minutes cycling with 5x 1-minute moderate efforts
  • Structure:
    • 5 minutes easy warm-up
    • 5 sets of (1 minute moderate effort + 5 minutes easy recovery)
    • 5 minutes easy cool-down
Option 2: Swimming
  • 35 minutes swimming with 5x 1-minute faster intervals
  • Structure:
    • 5 minutes easy warm-up
    • 5 sets of (1 minute faster effort + 5 minutes easy recovery)
    • 5 minutes easy cool-down
Option 3: Strength Training
  • Same as Week 1 but add 2 reps to each exercise:
    • 3 sets of 12 bodyweight squats
    • 3 sets of 12 lunges (each leg)
    • 3 sets of 35-second planks
    • 3 sets of 12 bridges
    • 3 sets of 12 calf raises
  • Rest 60 seconds between sets

Thursday: Easy Run/Walk

Total Time: 30 minutes

Step 1: Warm-up (5 minutes)

Same as Tuesday

Step 2: Main Workout (20 minutes)
  • Run 2.5 minutes / Walk 2.5 minutes
  • Repeat this cycle 4 times
  • Pay attention to your breathing – try to establish a rhythm
  • Focus on any areas of form that felt challenging on Tuesday
Step 3: Cool-down (5 minutes)

Same as Tuesday

Friday: Rest Day

Complete rest to prepare for your Saturday long run. Focus on hydration and getting adequate sleep tonight.

Saturday: Long Run/Walk

Total Distance: 3 miles

Step 1: Warm-up (5-10 minutes)
  • Walk for 3 minutes
  • Dynamic stretches for 5 minutes
  • 2 minutes easy jogging
Step 2: Main Workout (approximately 40 minutes)
  • Run 2.5 minutes / Walk 2.5 minutes
  • Repeat this cycle until you reach 3 miles
  • Try to maintain a consistent pace across all running segments
  • Take water with you and practice drinking during walking breaks
Step 3: Cool-down (5-10 minutes)
  • Walk 5 minutes
  • Complete full-body stretching routine (5 minutes)

Sunday: Active Recovery

Option 1

25-30 minutes easy walking

Option 2

20-30 minutes yoga focusing on recovery and flexibility

Option 3

Rest completely if feeling particularly fatigued

Tips for Week 2

Running Form Checklist

During your runs this week, do a quick form check every 5 minutes:

  • Are your shoulders relaxed and down (not hunched)?
  • Are your hands relaxed (not clenched in fists)?
  • Is your posture tall with a slight forward lean?
  • Are you landing midfoot rather than on your heels?
  • Are your steps light and quick rather than heavy and plodding?

Breathing Technique

This week, experiment with rhythmic breathing:

  • Try breathing in for 3 steps and out for 2 steps
  • Breathe deeply from your diaphragm (belly breathing)
  • If you find yourself getting winded, slow your pace
  • Use walking breaks to reset your breathing pattern