For The RepsBlog

Running

Triathlon-Run (Olympic)

Run portion of an Olympic-distance triathlon build, brick-aware. Twelve weeks, four runs a week.

Triathlete starting a run beside her racked bike on a country road
Triathlete starting a run beside her racked bike on a country road. AI-generated image.
Distance
10K
Length
12 weeks
Runs per week
4
Level
Intermediate
Goal
Run it faster

Who it's for

You already run a few times a week. It is built to help you run a faster 10K.

It fits alongside swim and bike training.

How the weeks work

It runs for twelve weeks with four runs in each.

If life gets in the way you can stretch it to 16 weeks, or tighten it to 10 if you are already fit.

The last 10 days are a taper: less running, a little intensity, so you start the race fresh.

  • Threshold runs of 15 to 30 minutes at a comfortably hard pace. You could say a few words, not hold a conversation.
  • Easy runs make up most of the week. Keep them slow enough to talk in full sentences.
  • Blocks at your goal race pace, so it feels familiar when it counts.

Setting your paces

Start with a 5K time trial. Your result sets the paces for the rest of the plan, so run it honestly and on fresh legs.

Making it stick

  • Keep easy days slow. Most plateaus come from running them too fast.
  • Put an easy day or a rest day after every hard session.
  • If you miss a week, pick up where you left off instead of cramming the sessions in.