If you are unable to run a sub 30 minute 5k while training exceptionally hard, it is probably time to get yourself into a running group with some people who can teach you how to train and run correctly. Incidentally, for the most part, you should not be training exceptionally hard. 80% of your training should be easy. Great-Gap1030.
Long run (2x per month) -- 60+ minutes. Time trial or race (1x per month) -- 5k @ race pace. All of these helped me, but the threshold runs and time trials helped me the most because of the mental training they provided. A 20 minute effort is perfect training for a sub-20 goal because you can set mental milestones at each minute of that effortIf this is your first go, don’t worry about what advanced runners can do. Meteor Run estimates that the average female 5K runner crosses the finish line at around 34:32 (around an 11-minute mile running pace) and the average male will finish around 29:09 (around a 9:30-minute mile running pace).
bbLWP.