developing a training program

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leon2

347 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Oct 20, 2005 10:25 AM

developing a training program

I suppose it's not a bad idea to follow one of the training programs that you find in books and on websites. But I think it's better if you write your own.

baggio16

87 posts since
Aug 14, 2002

1. Oct 20, 2005 10:49 AM

in response to: leon2

I agree. But I think it's better to use a book/internet training program for your first year or two to help figure out what works and what doesn't. That way you will have a better training program that you create.

At least that's what I hope happens. I'm training this winter for the first time based on a program that I created for myself, based on the ideas of Pfitzinger.

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CWorthen

94 posts since
Oct 23, 2002

2. Oct 20, 2005 10:54 AM

in response to: leon2

quote:<HR>Originally posted by leon2:
I suppose it's not a bad idea to follow one of the training programs that you find in books and on websites. But I think it's better if you write your own.<HR>

I agree. I have always wrote my own with some help from knowledgable friends, books, the internet, etc. There isn't a book out there that is a perfect fit for me, but I use samples from several.

MaineRunner2001

267 posts since
Mar 15, 2002

3. Oct 20, 2005 1:02 PM

in response to: leon2

I agree - I?ve always created them on my own. The main issue I have had is scheduling too little or too much hard stuff. I discuss my plans with experienced runners; who have given great advice.

Warrior1971

223 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Oct 20, 2005 1:14 PM

in response to: leon2

HA! Good topic. When someone on these boards mentions they're using Daniels or Pfitzinger, or whomever, I don't even know what they're talking about. I've never read a training book and never followed anyone's program (since leaving my college coach).

My question is whether or not I would be better if I followed someone else's schedule - whether out of a book or specifically catered to me. I'd like to think not, but I guess I could never really prove it. Following a program out of a book, I have no interest in; but everyone who has a coach seems to swear by it, so this idea intrigues me. Unfortunately. I feel like I plug enough money into this hobby of mine already without paying someone to (perhaps) help me improve minimally.

I guess I also feel like I have plenty of room for improvement just by remaining healthy and putting season after season of quality training together - even if I am making it up as a go.

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Greg
My User Profile[/URL" target="_blank">

RTCRUNR

396 posts since
May 25, 2002

5. Oct 20, 2005 3:04 PM

in response to: leon2

I agree and disagree. I think most experienced runners know what sort of training works best for them and what they respond best to and therefore can be good at writing their own schedules. However, I think it's good to have at least an advisor to look things over and offer opinions, suggestions, etc. My problem in writing my own schedules is either 1) I'll try to do too much, or 2) I'll get indecisive about what workouts I should be doing and wind up not covering all the bases. I do think it can sometimes be hard to be objective with your own training. The person who acts as my coach/advisor is a very competitive runner himself and still feels that he needs to work with someone else when scheduling his own training just to make sure he's not missing something. Maybe the best of both worlds is to write your own schedules then have someone look them over and provide objective advice about where things might need to be adjusted and why. That's kind of what I have going on right now and I like it very well.

bigapplepie

2,636 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. Oct 20, 2005 3:15 PM

in response to: leon2

I like the ones in my sig line.

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Me[/URL" target="_blank">
My Running Club[/URL" target="_blank">
My Training Programs[/URL" target="_blank">

ljwoodw

550 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

7. Oct 20, 2005 8:37 PM

in response to: leon2

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Warrior1971:
HA! Good topic. When someone on these boards mentions they're using Daniels or Pfitzinger, or whomever, I don't even know what they're talking about. I've never read a training book and never followed anyone's program (since leaving my college coach).

My question is whether or not I would be better if I followed someone else's schedule - whether out of a book or specifically catered to me. I'd like to think not, but I guess I could never really prove it. Following a program out of a book, I have no interest in; but everyone who has a coach seems to swear by it, so this idea intrigues me. Unfortunately. I feel like I plug enough money into this hobby of mine already without paying someone to (perhaps) help me improve minimally.

I guess I also feel like I have plenty of room for improvement just by remaining healthy and putting season after season of quality training together - even if I am making it up as a go.

<HR>

Agree 100%

The only coaching I have access to is that of the my club's coach, and obviously with so many runners in the club, the most he can feasibly do is give us a workout a week (it's also hard to get his attention, but that's another story). No way could I afford a personal coach.

Admittedly, my personal training plan is to read lots of coolrunning and letsrun and sift through it all to find some good advice...

Once I plateau (won't happen for the foreseeable future), I might try something else.

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tigger077

691 posts since
Nov 19, 1999

8. Dec 20, 2007 9:21 PM

in response to: leon2

I have generally used one or another of the recommended training programs available but usually had to modify them to suit my lifestyle and pace. I think modifying for pace is important for slower (9 minute per mile or higher) runners. Better to think in terms of time on your feet rather than miles.

I really appreciated the chapter on this subject by Rubio in kemibe's book.

http://This message has been edited by tigger (edited Oct-20-2005).

spacer

27 posts since
Jun 8, 2003

9. Oct 20, 2005 10:34 PM

in response to: leon2

i think published programs are a good place to start. and then you tailor them to your need/circumstances/preferences etc.
it does prevent you from doing the same workouts every week if you don't have a coach.

Jim24315

1,976 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Oct 20, 2005 11:54 PM

in response to: leon2

I think a lot depends on the individual, what their level of commitment is, and what their aspirations are. Even for the person who knows a great deal about training following a schedule has some advanatages, especially if it includes the guidance of a coach. As I'm sure you realize, there are many runner/coaches who have coaches of their own--they coach other runners but have somebody else to coach themselves.

One advantage of following a schedule that somebody has made for you is that it can make you more disciplined than if you did whatever you felt like. Another advantage is that there is a natural pulling for each other to succeed. If the runner has a good race the coach has a feeling of satisfaction which is sometimes as great as that of the runner. It's always more fun to have someone to share your victories with. And of course there are always new things to be learned for even the most seasoned runner.

Although I've run off my own schedule the great majority of the time, I've been getting some outside advice recently that I've found to be invaluable. Not only is it helping me with my own running, but I feel that it is adding valuable knowledge if I should someday want to coach other runners.

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Utterly

8 posts since
Aug 31, 2005

11. Oct 21, 2005 4:57 AM

in response to: leon2

I like Jack Daniels' training program. He only specifies a couple of key workouts every week. Other workouts are up to the runner to decide.

He's also flexible with LT training, you can select 20mins or up to 60mins by adjusting the pace. For example, if I have a 5k race - I will do 18-20min tempo run. If it's a 10k, I will do 35-40min tempo. If it's HM or longer, I'll then do 60min tempo.

4426

87 posts since
May 14, 2004

12. Oct 21, 2005 8:43 AM

in response to: leon2

I think it depends on the person you are. I for one have run my own schedules all my life. I have done ok. I found the Pfitz 70 mile schedule this year and am using it.
In the past if I used an idea of someones it would say run 50-70 minutes. For me this meant 50 min. I found I would always cheat my mileage or take more days off.
On the new program I feel obligated to follow it mile for mile. I do change the days around based on my schedule but so far have only been off one mile.
My training is the best it has ever been because of this. I realize the miles are not much for some of you but for me it is quite a bit. Last marathon I hoped to peak at 70-80 and only made 60s once. I have already been over 60 several times so far on this program. I am much stronger than I have ever been in several years.
I think I am a knowledgeable runner but find following a program really works for me. After this marathon I will seek out another schedule that will work for me to compete at 10k.
Just my 2 cents worth.

amadpetko

71 posts since
Oct 27, 2004

13. Oct 22, 2005 9:30 PM

in response to: leon2

Last spring I was using some of my own workouts, since my track club doesn't have a full time coach (just the XC coach who works with us when he can). I own many training books, and I use them for training paces and workout ideas, but I do not use them to specifically design my training program. Last season I mixed two old high school workouts I did, but I changed the paces to fit where in the season I was and to make it specific to the races I was training for.

One of the most important things I have learned is that after each workout you need to reformulate your training plan for your goal race(s). Most of the time not many changes need to be made, but after a bad workout or a phenomenal one, it is a good time to reevaluate things. You can't do this when blindly following a set training plan.

Oct 20, 2005 10:25 AM

developing a training program

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