Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

[Martynt74]

Yes, I agree that 2000 miles is a serious amount. One of the guys in the club stupidly set 2024 miles as his goal last year and had to run over 8 miles a day in December to finish. He said he felt wrecked, and I agree it's a silly target for most runners. I think that is why we've decided to include other distance activities to help make up the distance.

Worth also setting a time goal. I listen to a cycling podcast who setup something called Project 400. With the goal to do 400hrs of activity in the year. Mileage goals can be really tough, especially for slower runners and someone slow could run "more" than someone fast and end up with less miles. Having it as a time goal kind of evens it out.


@Dup Agreed, getting out the door is always the biggest thing indeed. Once you're out after not wanting to, sometimes end up being the best experiences. I don't think recovery runs being too slow would ever be a problem though. As you suggested, the main thing is probably just to make sure you're getting 1-2 sessions of "fast" stuff in every week. Whether that's a tempo run or intervals. I'd still be keeping the slow runs as slow as you can though.
I think that's where a structured training plan is the best. It just really forces you to do the sessions your brain doesn't want to do.

I was last signed up with this. It's not a lot of money a month and uses AI in the main part to create the plan so it stays pretty dynamic based on Garmin health stats, and so it isn't quite as tailored as fully personalised coaching, but it's also a lot cheaper and closer in price to what you'd pay for a fixed training plan. You can get feedback from Karel Sabbe which feels awesome for motivation. Having emails with someone who's set some of the fastest trail records in the world was excellent!

Ultra Trail Coaching

Reach your next goal with your personal training plan and advice from experienced professionals. Start running today.

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[Dup]

Worth also setting a time goal. I listen to a cycling podcast who setup something called Project 400. With the goal to do 400hrs of activity in the year. Mileage goals can be really tough, especially for slower runners and someone slow could run "more" than someone fast and end up with less miles. Having it as a time goal kind of evens it out.


@Dup Agreed, getting out the door is always the biggest thing indeed. Once you're out after not wanting to, sometimes end up being the best experiences. I don't think recovery runs being too slow would ever be a problem though. As you suggested, the main thing is probably just to make sure you're getting 1-2 sessions of "fast" stuff in every week. Whether that's a tempo run or intervals. I'd still be keeping the slow runs as slow as you can though.
I think that's where a structured training plan is the best. It just really forces you to do the sessions your brain doesn't want to do.

I was last signed up with this. It's not a lot of money a month and uses AI in the main part to create the plan so it stays pretty dynamic based on Garmin health stats, and so it isn't quite as tailored as fully personalised coaching, but it's also a lot cheaper and closer in price to what you'd pay for a fixed training plan. You can get feedback from Karel Sabbe which feels awesome for motivation. Having emails with someone who's set some of the fastest trail records in the world was excellent!

Ultra Trail Coaching

Reach your next goal with your personal training plan and advice from experienced professionals. Start running today.

www.ultratrailcoaching.com

Interesting site. If feel like saving some ££ I may look into that.

All my training is done to time but I still aim for a weekly mileage within those hours. This is what a typical week looks like, tailored for me:

Thinking about it, you have a point, I think my recoveries are fine given I still usually do ~700+ft of elevation no matter where I go, but I do need to push more on my long runs. I think I treat them too much like a recovery and don't cover enough ground as a result. I do get caught up in planning a loop and hate having to find more trail to cover the remaining time left if it's too short. I think I have become complacent on that front, I know my usual routes so maybe it's time to get in the car and find new routes to keep it fresh.

 

[Martynt74]

I'd still have thought those long runs should be nice and slow though. The fact the description by the coach is for easy/forever pace backs that up too.

My understanding was mainly to use the 80/20 rule where 80% is super easy (including those long runs), with 20% being structured and intense with specific speed/intensity sessions. Over time what feels "easy" organically then becomes faster, but they should still feel super easy rather than forcing the easy stuff to become faster.