Is there anything better than a fresh new plan on the fridge?!

[MissUnderstanding]

Today is an exciting day. After a LOT of browsing and debate. I sent my *new* and shiny training plan to the printer. It’s now on the fridge. It there anything more motivation than a plan waiting for runs to be ticked? I just had to put my trainers on and head out. Run 1/72 done. The first 3 miles of many are complete! In 24 weeks time I’ll be the best runner I’ve ever been. Now that sounds like a great plan to me!

It got me thinking-how do you go about choosing your next running plan? Do you look for recommendations? Do you follow what’s the next natural step on an app/site you’ve used before? Are you tempted by shiny pages in running magazines? Do you prefer guided runs with commentary and instructions? How do you know what will suit?

For me, it’s about knowing my starting point and what’s a realistic weekly commitment I can make. I’m less bothered about having commentary these days so that opens up the world of paper plans. I’ve currently got three consistent runs a week in me, and 25 weeks to be on the start line. That’s shaken out to a three run a week, longer, slower build paper plan from Hal Higdon that I’ll probably combine with some Nike Rub Club guided runs when I fancy a bit of company on longer runs.

it can feel like a big pressure to find a “perfect” plan, but nothing’s ever set in stone and anything can be ditched or adapted. For now. I’ll be taking it a run at a time and letting the ticks stack up!

Anyone currently deciding on which 10k plan to follow? The Magic Plan and Nike Run Club app plans have both been fun at different points in my run journey. There are lots of others out there too!

[LottieMW Ambassador]

I ‘m about to start W8 of my third time around C25k, so I will be looking at 10K plans after consolidation.

I’ve run both the Magic Plan (starting with timed runs as 🐌🐌🐌) and NRC. This time I may do a mash up of both…using NRC runs in the Magic Plan…I don’t know! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Ooh how exciting! Your rerun has been super. Mash up plans are the best! Will be great to see what you end up doing..,but first I think you need to plan come regraduation celebrations!

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

so true Miss U, I love a paper plan (or at leat one on a spreadsheet where you can add colour coding too). You are so right about it being flexible. I start with a plan based on what I think I can fit around what else is going on in my life. I then try and stick to it but often have to adapt it as other stuff gets in the way. I’ve a HM plan at the moment but I’ve not been able to do my weekly long run while I’ve been in France. It’s now ‘Adapted’ to pick up increasing the long runs when I get home.

Good luck with your plan and your 10k goal at the end.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

Where’s my reply? Sorry I’m sure I wrote something and it’s gone.

I think that’s the biggest thing that comes with experience-a plan is a great starting point but life has a habit of getting the final say in what actually happens!! Really good luck with your HM. I’m sure you’ll be ready!

Thanks so much for the good wishes ❤️

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Ooh I love a plan, especially a NRC plan. I really like the structure, five runs per 'week' but a week can take as long as you like.

Unfortunately I've yet to complete one. I started the HM plan a couple of years back but realised I didn't really want to run for 22 km. Then I started the 10k plan earlier this year but life intervened and I only recently reluctantly admitted that I've irretrievably stopped following it. On the plus side I can start it again once I get home, running these longer distances is easier when it's chilly, isn't it?

Good luck with the HM

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I think I’ve also abandoned more that I’ve completed! I’m holding on to the plan as a useful tool rather than a stick to beat myself with. Ditching ones that aren’t working for whatever reason is sensible!

I’m totally with you on cooler running being easier. Give me a rain storm over a hot day any day! Hoping you enjoy whatever plan you decide to pick up with, or just enjoy running free!! Both can be brilliant!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Maybe I like the idea of a plan better than the plan itself 😂

[Tessie66 Graduate10]

Hi I'm using the NRC 1/2 Marathon plan then eventually I'll go onto the full Marathon and or use the Manchester marathon training plan when it comes out. I'm doing 3 runs a week one being a parkrun

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Tessie66]

That HM plan is a great one. I’ve done it a coupes of times now, so I fancied something different. O think we’ll likely be doing similar runs. Once the longer runs come up, I’ll be picking matching ones from the NRC marathon plan for company. I was using it before Covid and having a lot of fun. It’s nice that there are so many options!

How are you liking the HM plan?

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Love the HM plan and the different runs the runs are gradually getting longer

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

brilliant MissUnderstanding …I am sure which ever plan you chose you would smash it anyway…there’s loads around, 1 to suit everyone x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you for the encouragement!! ❤️❤️❤️. You’re absolutely right-it’s mainly about figuring out what suits from a very big choice!

[Cookscat 60minGraduate]

My spreadsheets on the fridge , it’s not exactly a plan , I fill it in as I go , I’ve added sit to stand and press-ups after listening to Michael Moseley pod casts , I run 3/4 times a week , I use NRC app 😁

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cookscat]

Love a spreadsheet! It’s so good to find something that works and it sounds like you’re on a roll at the moment! The Nike Run Club app is great. I always come back to it.

[Cookscat 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

funny how simple things keep you motivated , NRC app tells me I’m 2years and a bit running , I’m going well just now , thanks for the reply 🐈

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cookscat]

You’re not the only one encouraged by the little things!! They keep me going too!!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

The next best thing, for me anyway, is ticking off each run/session as I go along. It’s so satisfying ✔️

Good luck with the plan and enjoy it all!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you! I like seeing ticks appear on app plans but there’s nothing like going old school and doing it with a pen!! Hopefully there’ll be another tick today!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

What plan are you doing MissU? What distance? Is it for a race? I think that's a brilliant idea, doing your own thing but taking CB with you when you need him.

For me, I seem to have got rather fixated on the NRC plans, I've done the HM one a few times, but not actually completed to my satisfaction, I've never actually run the 20K one with no walk breaks for one reason or another, usually weather...once was low sun that meant I couldn't see where I was going, another time was strong wind that threatened to blow me into the river (Narrow paths when you get away from town!)

I did the NRC 10K plan just for the fun of it a few weeks ago, didn't like that one so much, so I'm back on the HM plan. I'm just about to start on the longer runs, hoping to get those under my bet before the weather gets to rough.

HM in March next year.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thank you! This is Hal Higdon marathon 3. I’m running Newport marathon in April (it’ll be my first full marathon if I stay off the injury couch!). I’ve been back and forth on using a shorter plan but I really liked how this one is specifically three runs a week with cross training which really suits where I am in life at the moment!! I will most likely adjust-it has three 20 mile runs and it’s most likely I’ll lose a week or two here and there. I reckon at least one of those will bet binned. We’ll see! It’s all very exciting at this stage!

I agree about the 10k plan-It was fine but I found the recovery runs a bit samey which was a shame-I ended up swapping some of them for others of the same length because I couldn’t face another “headstarts” run. The HM plan is brilliant-I’ve done that pretty much three times! Enjoy!! Have you got a specific event in mind?

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

A full marathon! Gosh you're brave! Sounds like you've got it well planned and under control.

Yes, all those "Headstarts" runs, might be good if you're a new runner or new to NRC but they weren't for me.

Yes, I got sort of persuaded into the Cambridge HM again, I wasn't going to do it but a charity I volunteer for gave me a free place, and no fundraising target so I couldn't really say no could I? I'm keeping an open mind, my health is up and down... I'm "up" at the moment and running is going well, but I know that can change. I expect if I need to pull out they will easily fill that place though, Cambridge HM is very popular

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thank you! Brave or bonkers-I’m not sure! It’s a goal I’ve had for life so I think now’s a good time to just give it a go!

Really good luck for the Cambridge HM. I’ve heard it’s a fun one. It sounds like you’ve got a nice relaxed attitude. Hopefully you’ll be on the start line!

[RunByTheSea64 Graduate10]

MissUnderstanding being lazy on the admin side, I'm wondering if there are readymade downloads of the various plans somewhere on the NRC app? Or did you create your own? I need something I can physically tick off, like yours. I'm thinking about the HM one (OMG I've scared myself by putting it in words for the first time!) but aiming for only 3 runs per week, with the occasional 4th. 5 is definitely a step too far atm. Loose aim is mid March 2025. 🙂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RunByTheSea64]

Not lazy at all! This plan is from Hal Higdon where there are loads of printable plans. That’s actually something that influences which I choose!

halhigdon.com/training/half...

I haven’t done any of his Half Marathon plans but I was liking his novice 1 marathon plan before I got covid! I know Women’s Running definitely have a three runs a week half marathon plan that’s printable too.

Nike Run Club has a pdf to match the app plan but not a chart for easy ticking off…

nike.com/pdf/Nike-Run-Club-...

I feel exactly the same as you when announcing “I am going to train to do a (insert scary distance here)”. It’s a step! But it actually says a lot about where you are in your running that taking on the training is realistic and that’s a big step too. When you started couch to 5k did you think you’d be looking at HM plans? You’ve come so far already and that’s to be celebrated even before you’ve done your first run on your new journey.

You might want to check out the resources over on Fun Beyond 10k too-they’ve got some great stuff in the pinned posts and everyone is lovely there too!

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Good luck!

[RunByTheSea64 Graduate10]

Thanks for the links and advice. I might try to bump up to 10k again first, and slowly... 🙂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RunByTheSea64]

That sounds like a great plan!