We’ve been known to say that everything is better with friends. And this spring, we challenged our community of Ambassadors to take on a 5k together. Our friends at PUMA empowered the group with tools to go after the season’s earliest 5k races with the tools they needed to be successful: footwear (duh), expert strength coaching, and training plans for runners of all levels.

We believe that sharing is caring, so you can grab the training plans the experts at PUMA Running  created now.

• The 5K training plan for Beginners
• The 5K training plan for Intermediate runners
• The 5K training plan for Advanced runners

First thing’s first: our PUMA Running shoes

aSweatLife Ambassadors ran in either the PUMA Deviate NITRO 2 or the PUMA ForeverRUN NITRO and for a lot of the community, this was a wake up call that running shoes are packed with technology that can make runs better, faster, and more comfortable. If you’re curious as to how a shoe can do all of that, we talked to Todd Falker, RUNNING Product Lead at PUMA who gave us a download on what makes these shoes so special. 

We heard again and again how having a dedicated running shoe was a wake up call (especially for a strength addict, like Katrina Kuss). She said, “As someone who is not a particularly avid runner, I never felt that I needed specific running shoes. It took running in my new Puma running shoes to change my mind. I won’t run in anything else now.” 

We also heard from Diana Camarillo who was pleasantly surprised that a running shoe could feel this good. “Best running shoes I’ve ever had! Made me realize that I often don’t wear supportive enough shoes for my running needs.” 

It didn’t hurt that they were ridiculously good looking, too.  “I loved them. I received many compliments on the style and they felt very comfortable for my speed runs!” Gideon Akande said – and Gideon is currently in the middle of a year of movement every day, so comfort matters.

Speaking of comfort, Bridget McClatchey sang her PUMA Deviate Nitro 2’s praises, sharing that “They were literally like running on air- so soft and cushiony!” 

As important as the runs: Strength Workouts

If you follow along with aSweatLife, you may have noticed that we’re obsessed with strength. We love to challenge ourselves, and keep our muscles and bones strong for the long-haul that is life. Within our running plans from PUMA, we included dedicated strength days. But to really stick the landing on strength, we partnered with Chicago-based performance coach Erica Robinson who trained a group weekly at the state-of-the-art Transform Fitness Club.

We loved meeting up each week, using the recovery gear from our partners at Restore Hyper Wellness and preparing for a focused workout, built for athletes.

“Coach Erica was great, beside the workout she always coached us with a positive mindset.” Alex Carteno said.

We also learned new skills each week that leveled up our running, including dedicated warm-ups built to make us stronger and keep us injury-free.

“The strength workouts were fun! I used to just leave my apartment and start my runs without a warmup, but now I do some of the workouts we learned. It has made me a stronger runner.” Carmen Lopez recalled.

And more than anything, these workouts were a reminder that no matter the sport, strength training will keep you moving better for longer. 

“The strength workouts with coach Erica were the perfect complement to the running plan. I always left feeling stronger and sore (in a good way!) the next day which reminded me to continue stretching and doing cross training to become stronger and faster.” Sarah Pernai shared.

And last, but certainly not least: the Running program

Our partner at PUMA Running, Luke Maher (who is also an accomplished runner and coach) created three plans for aSweatLife ambassadors to get out on the track and trails: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. 

It was the perfect start to the running season: “I loved the program and it really helped me get back into running,” Cara Brennan said.

One of our favorite parts of the program? We saw new runners emerge.

“I really enjoyed it, especially since I had not trained for a running event in 11 years! This gradual approach got me running again and I am still running three times per week,” Jane Bruns shared.

“I have never run and really stuck to it before and since starting the running program I have not stopped yet,” Diana Camarillo exclaimed.

And the accountability was there if runners wanted it and needed it.

“It was great to be given different levels of effort, it was motivating to keep achieving the next goal,” Margot Dayton said.

“It was super helpful and helped hold me accountable,” Neethi Nayak added.

We’re still basking in the glow of Goal for it Running. Want to experience programs like this in real time? Apply to be an aSweatLife Ambassador.