Training plans

Sunday, November 18, 2012 · Mike Davis

I met with a new client the other night and we had a great introduction meeting that again reinforced the idea of custom training plans. Ashley (real name) is an above average runner that has run in 8 marathons completing all but one. I will get into the reason I believe she failed to complete the one in a bit, but for now I want to discuss her need for coaching and a personalized running plan.

Over the last 3 years Ashley has run Boston and Bay State marathons multiple times, with some level of success, however as of late she has struggled with injuries as well as improving her personal best time. Are the plateau and injuries connected? Perhaps, this is why my first request when she contacted me was to ask for a copy of a typical month of training, including her pace, mileage and other activities. Usually the answers can be found by examining someone’s training plan or lack thereof. Ashley to this point had been following various web plans that she had actually researched quite thoroughly. While initially successful, they have eventually failed to improve her running and may have contributed to her injuries. After studying her plan I could see some of the possible factors that could lead to the problems she’s encountering. Pretty much like most internet training plans, Ashley’s plan was pretty basic without taking into account factors that affected her success. Ultimately though it was a plan that has led to great frustration and void of any improvement.

I try to be open minded about the way people go about training as I understand that people get comfortable with the way they train and no one likes to hear that their training may not be the best for them. A year or two ago, Ashley would probably have said that she was totally fine with herself/internet training as it had gotten her to Boston quite nicely. Obviously her training was effective as the results were successful, however sustaining that level or even improving her performance became impossible. After some conversation she quickly understood she needed some coaching and a customized running plan that would get her back on track and a chance to improve. As I said it’s not always easy to seek help, but Ashley desires to be both faster and run injury free, so she was ready to move from generic to specific. Specific meant a training plan based on her strengths, weaknesses, schedule and goals.

I have been fortunate to work with multiple runners now that are serious about their commitment to running and need only a plan. For me I don’t have to try to motivate as much but instead give them a running plan, guidance and a lecture on being patient. All of this lends itself to a greater chance for success. I will never be as fast as Ashley, but I understand the dynamics and working with her will be fun. Already she realizes that she has to reign in her desire to go hard most of the time and for me that’s half the battle.