Fast 5K: 25 Crucial Keys and 4 Training Plans

Fast 5K: 25 Crucial Keys and 4 Training Plans cover
Good Books rating 4.3
Technical
  • ID: 5579
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-29
  • ISBN: 9781948006095
  • Publisher: VeloPress
  • Published: 2024-01-11
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 4

Fast 5K is a comprehensive guide by renowned running coach Pete Magill, designed to help runners achieve their personal best in 5K races. Magill, who has led 19 teams to USA national championships and set multiple records, shares his hard-earned insights and proven strategies. The book covers everything from optimal training mileage and effective workouts to injury prevention and diet tips, all aimed at enhancing your running fitness and race performance. With three 12-week and one 16-week training plans, Fast 5K provides a structured approach to reaching your fastest 5K time ever. /n/n Pete Magill's expertise is backed by his impressive credentials as a world-class runner and coach. His practical advice on training, recovery, and racing tactics is distilled into actionable steps that any runner can follow. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced runner looking to shave minutes off your time, Fast 5K offers the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. This guide is not just about running faster; it's about running smarter and more efficiently, ensuring you're in peak condition on race day.

Reviews
abebooks.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-24
positive 4.50

The book is praised for its concise, easy-to-read format with each chapter focusing on a single point, making it practical and informative. The author's experience as a runner and coach shines through, offering valuable advice on training, injury prevention, and realistic goals. The book is well-received for its practicality and enjoyment, though some found it less formal compared to other running books.

Readers appreciate the book's concise and easy-to-read format, with each chapter focusing on a single key point about running. This approach makes the book practical and informative, allowing readers to concentrate on one aspect at a time without feeling overwhelmed. The author's extensive experience as a runner and coach is evident throughout the book, providing valuable advice on training, injury prevention, and setting realistic goals. The book includes practical tips, such as the '3-Week' improvement method and the importance of reviewing non-running activities for their impact on running performance. While some readers found the book less formal compared to other running literature, it is still highly informative and enjoyable. The book is particularly useful for runners with some experience under their belts, offering detailed workout plans and specific advice tailored to 5K racing. Overall, the book is well-received for its practicality and the wealth of information it provides.


Quick quotes

    The first thing I noticed about FAST 5K was the concise, easy-to-read format. Each chapter is actually a "Key," and focuses on a single point

    e.g, "Slow Down Your Distance Runs," or, "Eat a Runner's Diet." This is really a smart way to write a non-fiction book.

    Very clear and to-the-point, though I expected something a bit more formal. Compared to Jack Daniels' Running Formula and Pete Pfitzinger's Faster Road Racing, this book reads a bit like... an informal running discussion board.

    Peter Magill has experience and is a coach who provides advice on Youtube (not his own channel, but as guests on others).

Good-Books · 2025-10-24
great 4.20

The book is praised for its concise, easy-to-read format with each chapter focusing on a single point, making it practical and informative.

The reviewer highlights the book's concise and easy-to-read format, with each chapter focusing on a single point. This makes the information practical and informative, allowing runners to quickly grasp key concepts and apply them to their training. The book is seen as a valuable resource for runners of all levels, providing world-class advice on how to run their fastest 5K race.


Quick quotes

    The book is praised for its concise, easy-to-read format.

    Each chapter focusing on a single point, making it practical and informative.

    World-class advice on how to run your fastest 5K race.

JillWillRun · 2019-09-30
good 4.00

The book is easy to read with each chapter focusing on a single key point, making it practical and informative.

The reviewer appreciates the book's easy-to-read format, with each chapter being only 3-5 pages long. This makes the information accessible and digestible, allowing runners to focus on one key point at a time. The practical advice and informative content make it a useful tool for anyone looking to improve their 5K performance.


Quick quotes

    This book is a really easy read.

    Each of the “crucial keys” is its own chapter and those chapters are only 3-5ish pages long.

    It's a great resource for runners looking to improve their 5K time.

Bassocantor · 2019-09-20
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its practical advice and easy-to-follow format. It is considered a valuable resource for runners looking to improve their 5K performance.

The reviewer found "Fast 5K" to be a superb and practical book, highlighting Pete Magill's expertise as a running genius. The book's concise format and actionable advice make it a valuable resource for runners of all levels. The reviewer plans to use the book's training plans once they recover from an injury, indicating its practical utility and relevance.


Quick quotes

    Pete Magill is a running genius.

    I found "FAST 5K" to be a superb, practical book.

    I am using it now--or I will be when I recover from my injury.