How do I improve my 5k run time?

TRAIN EVERYDAY!! i'm in cross country running for high school. You'll want to vary your workouts too. Like say run 5 miles tomorrow and the next day just sprint three four hundreds with a recovery at a local track. You want to make sure your not doing the same thing over and over again as it will get redundant and won't help you. Also, even though you won't enjoy it, a good hill work out never really hurt anyone. Even if the hill is a slight incline up the street, it really does help. You want to do LSD (long slow distance) days and then cut the next day into a quick workout. Remember, you don't want to overdo it either. If you start to feel exhausted at the end of the week you need to start smaller and build yourself up. I will say, that a goal of a sub 18 minute five k is quite an impressive goal and may not be attained your first year (or even few years!) of running, so don't be upset if you don't get there. Discipline will take you there.

practice, practice, practice. the more you practice the better shape your body will be in thus allowing you better times

I think you just keep running. (my 5K's went 26, 24, 23). Aside from that - get enough food and sleep, run about 2 hours after a meal, do cardio and leg strength workouts.

Run up hills! I do the cycling thing and find I can ride faster and have more indurance from climbing hills.

I think you just keep running. (my 5K's went 26, 24, 23). Aside from that - get enough food and sleep, run about 2 hours after a meal, do cardio and leg strength workouts.

Run up hills! I do the cycling thing and find I can ride faster and have more indurance from climbing hills.

practice, practice, practice. the more you practice the better shape your body will be in thus allowing you better times