5K running time - How to improve??

One thing I have heard that you can do to train for time is use an interval program like the C25K, but instead of alternating runs/walks, use it to alternate slow run/fast run. This will be my plan once I am able to hit 5K (just ran 2.5 miles Friday, so I'm getting there). Good luck!

Interval training really is the best way to improve speed but doing hill workouts are pretty amazing too. Just make sure you work up to your intervals because newer runners tend to over do it and hurt themselves. And of course keep doing your regular training runs and increase your per mile times. Confidence in yourself and your ability to finish a race are great for dropping time. Congrats on your welcome to the racing world!!

Sounds like you are doing awesome!! Make sure you are doing speedwork at least once a week during your training, and I dont know how many miles you currently run but if you increase your mileage it will help with speed in a 5k.
Just keep up the good work, your time is going down very nice and steady!!
Good Luck on your next race!!

Hello there,
I'm a keen runner and only started a couple of years ago! Here's few things I think about about when training...

Try to mix it up a bit, different activites such as cycling and swimming to get the rest of your body moving in different ways to increase your strengh.

Mark out your runs, 1km of gently jogging and then the next 0.5/1km running at a faster pace.. And repeat you can build up the 1km or do it in minutes. Map My Run is a brilliant tool to mark out runs outside.

Sundays, go out for a longer run than 5k but at your own leisurely speed - just you, the road and your music!

Take a friend, I jog quicker when I'm chatting

Warm up and cool down properly - warm up whilst jogging with heel flicks, kicking your bum, knees high, shoulder rolls to get the joints warms and stretch quads, hamstrings and calfs.

Rest!!

Hope that helps xx

I recommend interval training. Start by getting warmed up...

Then...
Run the first mile at a faster pace than your rae pace. Jog for 1/4 mile to recover. Again run a second mile at a faster than race pace. Then jog 1/4 mile. Repeat this process until your body says it's done for the workout. I'm not sure if you are running 4-5 miles or more a day? You are tricking your body because it really doesn't need a long recovery time. Eventually you will try to run each mile as fast as you can (not sprinting though). If you run 6 days a week, then 3 days of interval and 3 days regular running. What you will see happen is that your regular training times will at first lower in time, but do continue to increase the distance too.

Hope this helps come race day!

You sound like your doing great, the good news is that the more you run the faster you will get, just keep running! Especially try for slightly longer run each time on a weekend.