My un-training plan

Good morning!!

I’m kind of a running nerd and Mike’s tired of listening to me talk about it, so you get to.  Lucky you!

I consider myself an endurance runner.  Not a very good one, mind you.  But I am not a sprinter and have zero desire to be.  Actually after I run a 5K race, I swear I’m never going to do it again.  Apparently I lie because I find myself at the start line a few weeks later.

Hanging out with Natalie at the start line for Race Judicate 5K.  I crossed that finish line feeling death & sadness and the first thing I told Mike after I thought I was gonna yak, was something like that’s it, I’m hanging up my 5K running shoes.

He laughed.

I didn’t.

**Edited to add this is my current PR.  24:17 which probably explains why I felt so bad.

So, moving on I was researching how to train for my next half marathon and thought it might be something your interested in too.

I guess I should start by telling y’all that while I love the idea of training plans, I can’t find it in me to follow one.  I’ve tried several times and just like doing my hair, I gave up.  Guess that makes me stubborn and rebellious.

Oh well, I do what I want.

Oh hey, this is what death looks like.

After looking at a few training plans, I came up with a general idea for what I think is a realistic “plan” for me.

• Run 3 to 4 days a week.  (2-6 miles each run depending on the distance of my long run)
• Do 1 long run a week.
• Cross train 2 days a week.  Cycling or yoga.
• Do a few 5 or 10K races to build confidence & motivation.
• Stretch, strength train & dates with the foam roller.
• 2 rest days a week.

Now, I’m not recommending you follow this, but I am encouraging you to be realistic about what fits into you schedule, time & what works for your personality.

I do recommend all of the Hal Higdon training plans.  This guy’s like a running rock star and unlike Siri he knows everything about running.

Here is a novice 1 half marathon plan I stole from him:

It’s very simplistic, entry level and straight forward.  Winning!

Check out his site for more training plans than you’ll see on SCB, plus they are free.  I’ve found it a very helpful guideline over the few years I’ve been running.  There are tons of other free training plans out there, so do a Google search and I’m sure you can find a few good ones too.

I used Runners World training plans, but now they charge to use them and I’m cheap.

Remember the only thing I consider myself a pro at is drinking coffee, so take his advice, not mine.  Mmmkay.

What distance are you training for right now?

Do you follow a plan?  If so, which one or do you make your own?