I've been without a training plan for awhile because I haven't been running. When I was able to start running again, Coach & I agreed that I'd just stick to running 4 easy 3x per week. Didn't really need a plan for that. But now that I have some races on my schedule, and after hearing that I was planning to run 7 miles on Friday, he mailed me a scheduled that gets me through October and up to the Bosque Boogie 10K.
He wants me to stick with a 4 mile easy run on Friday as sort of a mini-taper for the 5K. Even though it's a fun run, he didn't think my plan of running 7 on Friday was such a good idea. Something about having fresh legs on Sunday. Okay. Makes sense. Guess I'm in a pseudo taper!
I notice that the plan doesn't have any target paces for tempo runs for about another month. I like this for two reasons. No pressure in the short term; I'll just stick with easy runs which are my favorite. Yet there are some confidence building tempo runs closer to the 10K race. Perfect.
One thing that I do need to talk to him about are all these REST days on the calendar. In the past, he has annotated certain days are REST and other days as Rest/Cross Training. This time I don't see the "Rest/Cross-training days. I assume this is an oversight, and I will typically will cross-train unless I know it's really supposed to be a true REST day.
Do you prefer running with a schedule or winging it? I happen to do much better with a well thought out schedule. And his schedules always make more sense than the ones I try to put together for myself. Guess that's why he's the coach instead of me!
I love having a schedule - just as a guideline. I find that I am constantly changing it and tweaking based on my work and personal schedule, but it's nice to have one and know about how many miles I should be covering each week. :)
ReplyDeleteI usually make a schedule for myself and then end up continously "modifying" it throughout a training cycle. So, I begin in an organized way, but typically end up "winging it." What can I say? I'm certainly no type-A personality! Maybe a type-B? :)
ReplyDeleteSchedule all the way - I'm going to try the next 8 weeks or so after my first race on Saturday with a coach.
ReplyDeleteI have my basic week that I have been sticking with. Since I have been basically pushing distance, its been easy for me to wing it by saying "go farther". Now that I am in my final weeks, and I've maxed out the training distances, I need to be smarter and plan some intensity into my weeks. Couple that with 9 short weeks till the big day, and I have started to lay out my plans on paper. It's getting important :-)
ReplyDeleteI am allllll about the schedule. I hate being between run clinics and we just run 'easy' a few times a week. Makes me crazy.
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer a schedule! Glad you've got something in writing again and it sounds like a good plan!
ReplyDeleteI follow a schedule but I plan it myself. I am my own coach. My schedule is very detailed and always worked out to the day at least 6 to 12 months in advance. I also have a long term plan for at least the next 3 years.
ReplyDeleteI like to draw up a rough draft of a schedule and just try to make all the workouts, I label the A,B,C of imprtance, A being the most important, C being it will be nice to fit in but wont be disappointed if I can not.
ReplyDeleteI need a schedule.
ReplyDeleteI won't do it otherwise.
i've been semi-winging it for this marathon. i just go with a certain mileage for the week and make it work. however, usually i'm a total plan junkie! good luck with your upcoming 5 and 10k, glad you seem to be feeling good!
ReplyDeletegot to have a schedule or I the slacking will begin
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I've used a schedule but always seemed to change it here and there (probably too much change).
ReplyDeleteMy most recent race I followed a RW Smartcoach plan. I stuck to it religiously. I felt that if I stuck to this plan, I wouldn't have any regrets come race day. It worked for me.
I finally learned to trust my training plan.
I generally follow a schedule during tri season or leading up to a big marathon. But for the general off season, like now, I just wing it and do whatever sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read all of the above comments yet but I'd venture a guess that most of us love a schedule. I know I do!
ReplyDeleteI find that when I've been on a schedule for a LONG time (like right now) I crave the freeing feeling of no schedule. But I also know that when I'm NOT on a schedule I miss the schedule. So I'm a little of both I guess :-)
ReplyDeleteI HAVE to have a schedule. Otherwise every day would be a rest day. ;)
ReplyDeletei am so desperately trying to follow a schedule but I suck at it, I just end up running everyday cause I want to :)
ReplyDeletethe benefit of the schedule though is it makes me run harder and then do cross training
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI am all about schedules and having something to modivate me. You are so lucky to have a coach to give you advice on how to train:) Good luck with your races!
Training plan for sure - if you are training for a specific event! Because you know the saying: If you fail to plan, you plan to ... you know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteIt also helps staying focused.
*Sigh* ... I miss training. :-(
It varies. If there is an A race and my life priorities are set up such that I can run more, I will always follow a schedule. Granted, the reason I decide to do an A race is realizing that I have the time, effort to commit to training as best as I can to prepare for a race. In this scenario, I will stick to as close as to my schedule as possible.
ReplyDeleteBy schedule, I mean mostly time spent on running and what type of run. Earlier season I won't worry as much the pace. As the race is closing and as I do more miles repeats, fast runs, I will slowly narrow my pace i need ot train on (say run a mile in 7:15 etc.).
...
If I run for fun (like with a friend for their race), then I don't worry as much. Granted this is more of helping my friend runs better aka I am fitter than him/her.
I notice when I start to wing it, my running is not consistent. Consistency is a huge factor in running well (and fast).
Schedule, for sure! I tend to do better when I have structure. If I just winged it then I'd never do anything. ;)
ReplyDelete