I'm on the second day of my new running plan. For the last couple of years of my running life I've been getting professional advice having others write my plans. While it was indispensable at first, as I had neither the time or knowledge of the sport, I now think I can write a reasonable plan based on my experience so far. And with the help of you dear bloggers who have generously given me direct help and/or written the down the details of your own training routines on a regular basis.
I have taken a little bit from all of you and hopefully put it all together in a way that will work for me. We will see.
It's about time I thought more deeply about my running goals and how to achieve them so I'm happy I made this step, no matter what the outcome I will learn from this and get better.
I basically operate on the method of stealing as many ideas as you can from other people, then ignoring most of it and just doing what I like. I am sure that your experience thus far has taught you a lot so you should do well.
ReplyDeleteBTW any more photos?
I was on Pat pgms for a couple of years as it was an all inclusive thing (the group sessions + pgm). When he changed his fee structure I opted for just the group training sessions as I had a pretty fair idea by then what the rest of my training should be. As Pat even said himself, its not rocket science.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is interesting seeing and hearing about what other people are doing, and the results they are getting.
No matter what, I reckon the number one priority still should be enjoyment :-)
Golly I laughed at the cartoon!!! That is SOOO me!!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI just have to agree with what you said
ReplyDelete"I have taken a little bit from all of you and hopefully put it all together in a way that will work for me."
The key thing is what will work for you. I can gather the same info from the same people but by paying more attention to what I like (ie speed or long run) my whole program can differ from you despite us running same km and sessions.
I'm with Tesso about the #1 Priority too!!
I'm sure you'll be able to work out something that suits your obsessive personality Scott ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tesso and Clairie (how can that be?) about keeping it fun. It's no use following a program that gets you a 2:52 instead of a 2:58 if you're not enjoying the running. Who cares? They're both under 3 hours.
Now... if a program helped you to run 2:39, that might be worth suffering for ;)
Since I left high school, I have always set my own programs. For me it is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our sport. I can't imagine being coached by anyone. And although it may not be quite rocket science, there is a lot of science in it and I have also enjoyed studying this aspect over the last four years. Strangely understanding more of the science has not changed my basic training program much at all. I have always been an avid Lydiard follower and it has always worked for me. It is amazing really that his methods years later have been backed up by so much science so well.
ReplyDeleteI don't think fun is the right sentiment for long distance running. If anybody tells you they are having fun in the last 5k of a marathon, then it is time to test for the party drugs. Fun just seems a bit frivolous for what we are doing. It can be hard work with lots of sacrifice leading to enormous senses of achievement, satisfaction and inner strength. At times it can be fun but I think it goes way beyond that.