You have to be kidding me...Garmin plan - I ... - Bridge to 10K

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You have to be kidding me...Garmin plan - I say goodbye

Comaltdel profile image
23 Replies

So i indulged in purchasing a Garmin forerunner45 on Prime Day. I have been using the Training plan with Jeff G trying to trim my 5km time. I'm in week 9 and have been enjoying the drills, upping the pace for bursts and generally mixing it up. However yesterday my schedule said I was to do a Run Walk for 9.66km. No way I replied. This is too much and I don't get it...😳

Instead I took myself for a NRC 30 min run with Coach Bennett and Andy Puddicombe. I really enjoyed it.

I'm disappointed I didn't "complete" the course ( I am a completer/finisher by habit) but I couldn't make the cognitive link as why I needed this super long and ambitious run... Maybe wiser heads than mine could explain the idea - for the meantime I am going to use the watch for the runs but switch to NRC for my motivation and when I want something different.

Anyone recommend a Garmin plan. I'm also looking at Juju's magic 10km for the new year perhaps. Just perhaps😉

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Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel
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23 Replies
Jiveblue profile image
JiveblueGraduate10

Hi Comaltdel (just realised what your name spells as I was struggling to type the right letters!)I tried a couple of Garmin Coach Plans, gave up on the 5k Run/Walk (even tho, like you, I don't like quitting) and laboriously worked through the straight 5k run (as in the meantime I'd developed a tendency to run in short bursts and then have to walk to catch my breath). Garmin says that the plan adapts to your achievement but I didn't notice anything much and found it very tiresome. I particularly disliked that Garmin only gives details of 2-3 runs ahead which I didn't find helpful!

On the other hand, Ju-Ju's 10k or 60 min plans are straightforward, not too restrictive, and still give you a structure to work within. You're right about NRC and the guided runs being good - I've been using them for the last few weeks and really like 90% of Coach Bennett's views. Not tried the ones with Andy Puddicombe but think that's the next step!

Good luck

Happy running!

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Jiveblue

Hi Jiveblue, Thank you for taking the time to reply. It's good to have confirmed that Garmin doesn't adapt. I had felt that...when I assessed a run as "hard' they just kept everything exactly the same. I would try not to sprint but could never keep up with the pace set on the 400m circuits... I am going to give Coach Bennett a try - any particular runs you'd recommend? Felt much happier switching things round yesterday.

Happy Festive running to you

Jiveblue profile image
JiveblueGraduate10 in reply to Comaltdel

Haha... my approach was to say every run was ‘easy’ so that the pace would increase it the distance but it stayed the same regardless!! Interesting to know that ‘hard’ gives the same result!

Re Coach Bennett.... the first one I did was the 1 hour and his calm but encouraging words were welcome and spurred me on. I’ve also done the 10k, 5k, 6k also the Cold run and when thoroughly gloomy I did the I don’t wanna run run! The only one I found a bit tedious was the Grateful one... I might try another coach but I do like his voice and some of his mental/attitude coaching might even be working, as I feel pretty OK saying I’ve done well and am proud of my success in the Speed Challenge today!

Good luck.... and Enjoy!

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Jiveblue

Thanks I've done a little scrolling and will give them a go. You're much further down the distance and time path than me. My max is a nearly 6k once! I intend to spend more time just enjoying the moment and feeling my body do it's thing.

Sparkey5000 profile image
Sparkey500060minGraduate in reply to Comaltdel

I love coach bennet’s voice. I’ve been doing the mindful runs....he poses some questions at regular intervals....don’t always answer them but gives the brain direction and stops my thoughts being drowned out by the “you’ve had enough running, walk now” demon

Blackberrypie profile image
BlackberrypieGraduate10

According to an article I read on the internet the post run rating doesn't affect the planning - it purely goes on how you perform in the run sections. So if you're consistently struggling to make the target pace/ getting "room for improvement" ratings, it should start to set a lower target pace. That said the quickest way I've found to adjust the target pace and distance is to use the confidence rating as a guide to change my target time - that translates immediately into different pace and distance. Since I tweaked that setting I have found the plan (I'm doing Amy's HM plan having completed the Magic Plan in October) fits me better but it's still a bit rough and ready.

Jeff Galloway's plans are known for having longer distances in them with the idea that you run-walk them at a ratio that works for you at that distance, and that building up stamina through longer runs is a good way to improve your speed in slower runs. So there is a logic, but you may find one of the other coaches works better for you. Or indeed the magic plan.

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Blackberrypie

Ah ha thanks Blackberrypie - that's very helpful. I'll stick to freestyle and consolidation runs. I have just done C50 so wanting to up the anti a little.

Delly-dot profile image
Delly-dotGraduate10 in reply to Blackberrypie

Thank you - this helped me too 😊

Beatlesforever profile image
BeatlesforeverGraduate10

I'm afraid I can't comment on why Garmin would suddenly ask you to do a much longer run (maybe it's to work on stamina?) I'm using the Garmin half marathon plan at the moment and it all seems to make sense but it is quite boring. I used the magic plan to build up to 10k and o really enjoyed it so I'd thoroughly recommend it 😃👍

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Beatlesforever

That’s another vote in Magic plans favour.. thanks for reply

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate10

Hi Comaltdel , I've no idea about Garmin or NRC as I've never used any of their plans. I'd say I'm pretty goal-focused, but I loathe routine and being dictated to about what I have to do when. However, I loved Ju-Ju's Magic Plan and can't recommend it highly enough. Happy running!

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply to Cmoi

Ditto. I've been doing my own thing and advancing at my own pace. Slower even than the Magic Plan, but based on the same general principles.

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to nowster

Magic plan sounds very good. I shall perhaps try it for size in Jan. Thx

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Cmoi

I’m probably expecting too much. One seems to progress at such a rapid rate on C25k. I’m back to reality abs enjoying purely for the pleasure

Lifluf profile image
LiflufGraduate10 in reply to Comaltdel

That's the difference Comaltdel. C25k has to build you up to a level where you can run. Now you're a runner there's no rush to progress and, if you push too hard, you are more likely to get injured. So now you can improve your speed and distance at a rate that is comfortable for you and that you can enjoy. Happy running!

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Lifluf

It’s all learning Lifluf. I’m back in reality land. Paula I am not and never expect to be! 😉

Magellan profile image
MagellanGraduate10

Hiya. I’m doing a Jeff Galloway plan with Garmin to prep for a Half Marathon. It’s a 19-week plan and here I am on week 12 and I’ve just been given a 17 mile run. Two weeks ago it gave me 14 miles and before that 11.5. I know that some HM plans build up gradually to 13 with the first time running that far being the day of the race itself. I don’t think that would have worked for me, the first time I did 13 miles the last two were extremely hard, and yesterday’s run went okay throughout a HM distance before becoming hard; but each time I increase the distance I’m finding I can get through the previous distance more easily and the previous-but-one distance while barely feeling tired. I don’t know how many more longer runs are to come, but it does seem to make sense to me that to be able to run the distance well I’m going to need to be able to run longer distances, albeit not so well.

For many weeks after I’d finished c25k I just ran 30 mins or 5k over and over trying to get PBs, and at first I improved each time but before long I hit a limit, nothing was improving. Then I gave up on 5k and started on longer runs in nice countryside focussing on enjoying the views and on being able to run 10k. To my surprise, after a few weeks of this, I suddenly started getting 5k PBs again, while doing my 7k or 10k run. Then I did a 5k and knocked over 4mins off my previous time for a single 5k.

You should do what makes you happy, and if a 9k run isn’t that, then don’t do it. But running a distance of x+y is a tried and tested way to improve your times over a distance of x, so if you’re really keen to trim those 5k times you might find longer runs can help.

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Magellan

Wise words. Many thanks Magellan. I am taking note. Forget times and just enjoy. Thanks for your helpful reply

Juliet202 profile image
Juliet202Graduate10 in reply to Magellan

Gulp !! I’m on the same plan, week 6, and I can see my next long run in week 7 is just 6.5 miles (‘just ‘ 😂). Not sure I fancy a 17 mile run in 5 weeks time ! I was hoping to gradually increase to HM over the period, Run-Walk-run or not ! I guess this is where the ‘personalised’ comes in - I started the plan not having run further than a 10k. I can’t imagine I’ll be presented with 17miles ! One good thing though - my second ‘magic half mile’ was 23 seconds quicker than my first 2 weeks ago ! Admittedly the first time I did it half the run was uphill .... this time I planned it better !

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Juliet202

I don’t think I’d ever do a HM so hats off to you Juliet202🧢🧢

Juliet202 profile image
Juliet202Graduate10

I agree the plan can be boring - but for me it’s better to have something than nothing ! I also mix up with coach Bennett from time to time. I’m doing the Jeff half marathon plan over 21 weeks. I cheated on my first longer run-walk (which appear to be every 2 weeks) by running the whole thing ! As I’m still early on in the plan it was ‘only’ 5 miles and I was frustrated with not progressing beyond my 10k achievement. I ended up doing 8miles non stop. My next ‘long’ run is 6.5 miles. Not sure if I’ll ‘cheat’ again otherwise I might never get to HM. I think the idea of run walk is that it does seem to improve your times but is less stress on the body.

I also did a Garmin 10k plan - can’t remember with who ! It was similarly boring and i cheated on that too, preferring Ju Ju’s plan instead. I can recommend !

Ps I never bother with pace but even so it’s improved !!

Buster52 profile image
Buster52

I am on the same plan, trying to reduce my 5K time, but have paused it as apart from the drills, I find it terribly boring.The setup on the watch is good, but it does mean you keep looking at your watch rather than running and also the longer runs, although meant to be walk run, don't have any defined structure, so it is all up to you, which means I am mixing different times, running till I hurt and then walking for periods that are not structured. Not enjoying this at the moment, may look at NRC. :-(

Comaltdel profile image
Comaltdel in reply to Buster52

I feel relieved that I've ditched Jeff's plan. Not that I didn't learn things but I think I just need to run and do what feels good. Not aim for anything like time improvements - in spite of my competitive nature! Thanks for replying Buster52 and good luck with your plan.

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