You're not here because a 5K is your finish line. You're here because you're building toward something bigger, and you're smart enough to know that showing up not ready to a marathon is how people get hurt, burn out, or spend the last six miles wondering why they signed up.
The 5K and 10K program at Wild Dog Athletics is for runners who are at the beginning of something. Maybe you're new to structured training. Maybe you're returning after a break and need to rebuild before adding mileage. Maybe you've been running casually for a while and you're ready to see what happens when you actually train with a plan.
Whatever brought you here, this is where real momentum starts.
Most runners skip this part. They jump straight into a marathon training plan, add miles too fast, and spend weeks dealing with shin splints or plain burnout before they ever get to the long runs.
The 5K and 10K program is about building the foundation correctly. Consistent mileage at an effort you can handle. Strength work that keeps you injury-free as the miles go up. A weekly structure that will help you make real progress and reach your goals.
By the time you're ready to step up to a half marathon or full marathon, you won't be starting from scratch. It will feel like something you're ready for, instead of something you can barely keep up with. You'll already be used to running consistently every week, have the strength and endurance to add miles, and know how to manage your schedule with training.
That's what makes the difference later.
A fully custom 5K or 10K training plan built around your current fitness and your goal race, with walk-to-run progressions if you're just starting out, integrated strength training, weekly adjustments based on how training is going, and daily access to Abby throughout the week. Your plan is in a shared training app and updates every Monday.
This coaching is a strong fit if you're new to running or returning after a long break and want a plan that builds gradually, is manageable with your schedule, and keeps running doable and fun. It's also right for you if you've been running casually, without structure, and you're ready to see what consistent, intentional training actually feels like.
And it's especially right for you if you already have a marathon or ultra on your radar and you want to build toward it the right way, rather than jumping in without knowing what you're doing.
Your program is built around your schedule, your experience level, and your goal race.
You have direct access to Abby throughout the week. When a run feels harder than it should, when your knee starts complaining, when you're not sure whether to push through or take a rest day, you'll get a real answer from your coach.
Every week includes strength work designed to keep you healthy as your miles go up.Runners who skip this part are the ones who end up sidelined. Strong runners are durable runners.
Your plan updates every week based on how training went. Busy week at work? We shift things. Feeling stronger than expected? We build on it. Nothing stays static because your life doesn't either.
We start with a free consult to talk through where you are now, what you're training for, and what getting there actually looks like. You can ask anything about training, fueling, strength, or mindset.
Your custom training plan is built and loaded into your app before your first workout. Every run has a purpose and comes with clear and specific guidance on pacing, effort, and mindset.
Each week your plan updates based on how training is going. Abby is available by text for questions, feedback, and adjustments throughout.
Choose a plan that fits your goals and your lifestyle. Every tier includes 1:1 coaching, a personalized training plan, and app access.
Every 4 Weeks
Weekly check-in via text on Mondays & access to Coach Abby via text throughout the week for additional questions, feedback, & adjustments.
Every 4 Weeks
Weekly check-in via text on Mondays & access to Coach Abby via text throughout the week for additional questions, feedback, & adjustments.
I'm Abby, 14x ultramarathoner and online running and strength coach at Wild Dog Athletics.
Every runner I coach started somewhere. Some started with a 5K they weren't sure they could finish. Some came back to running after years away and had to rebuild from scratch. Some were already running casually and wanted to find out what happened when they actually followed a plan.
What I know from coaching all of them is that the foundation matters more than almost anything else. The runners who build it carefully are the ones who stay healthy, stay consistent, and eventually get to the starting line of something that once felt impossible.
If that's where you're headed, this is where we start.
Ready to step up? See Marathon & Half Marathon coaching.
