myasics calendar question

[Decker]

Hello - This is my first post in this community and I am just beginning HM training so I am very new to this. I've setup a myasics HM training plan, but I noticed that in a few weeks time it has scheduled a 5k run back to back with a 10.5k build-up run. It does this repeatedly in the latter stages. My instinct is to go in and add rest days in between each of them, but before I do, I wasnt sure if this was part of the HM endurance training and maybe I should leave it be? The 5k runs are slow at around 8.2min/km and the 10.5s are around 7min/km. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

[poppypug Marathon]

Hi Decker

I’ve followed 3 My Asics plans and found them really good .

Have you clicked on the “ Mild “ option ? I found the other 2 options too intense . Back to back runs sound a bit hardcore , you need your rest days xxx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to poppypug]

Hi Poppy. Thanks for your reply. I chose the medium mid plan, as I was going too fast for the easy plan. I did only choose 3 runs per week though. Yes I've not done back to back runs before, but I've never run a 5k that slow either, so I wondered if maybe it would be a good thing for slow build endurance if I take it easy?

[poppypug Marathon in reply to Decker]

I only do 2 runs a week , I tried 3 but ended up with a over use injury to my hip

See how you go on , you can always slot in a couple of rest days extra if needs be . I love the Asics plans , it takes all the guess work out of “Ooh how far shall I run today “ etc. I know misswobble is a huge fan of these too and may be able to offer some of her excellent advice ! xxx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to poppypug]

I’m sorry to hear about your hip. It seems so tricky to avoid injury over time. I hope it heals up fully soon. I’m going to take it easy especially as the distances increase over the next few weeks.

Yes the structure of these plans really appealed to me too. I don’t want to have to think too hard in the mornings🙂 And the flexibility to adjust them on the fly is a really nice feature I am already making good use of.

[poppypug Marathon in reply to Decker]

Ah thanks , its fine now . I was training for an event and I got a bit carried away with myself I havent had really any injuries since I scaled it back to 2 runs a week , apart from tight calves, but nothing major .

Good Luck with your training xxx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Poppy 👍🏼

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Hello!

I've only used a MyAsics Marathon plan, and that with only 3 runs a week, so I don't quite have the right experience. However, I just had a look at one of their half mara plans, because I'm interested I'm gonna slightly disagree with Pops and say that I think the run distribution looks ok, because I can only see the very gentle 5k runs on the day before a more intense workout - and further there are sometimes two-day blocks of rest coming after more strenuous runs, which makes sense to me. I think the MyAsics plans are evidence-based and pretty reliable; even in my narrow experience on here and Facebook I have seen lots of people say they have had good results from them.

Having said that, you will most probably find you need to reschedule runs sometimes, or even miss them altogether, because that's just life! You can change days of runs on the MyAsics calendar by clicking the 'Reschedule runs' button and drag-dropping runs to new dates. It is just possible to run four days a week with a day's rest between each run, so you could rearrange the whole calendar to do this if you wish. Up to you

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a lot of fun with your training, and look forward to reading about your progress!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Hi Roseabi- thanks for your reply. Yes I was thinking the same thing that the 5ks were so low-intensity and framed adjacent to the longer 10s as the plan moved forward - that maybe this was part of the training for better endurance? - I've already used the reschedule button a couple of times - its a great feature - I chose 3 runs a week and the mid range intensity, which so far has been fine. Don't think 4 a week would work for me. Maybe I will try one of those back to backs and see how it goes. I'm not on a schedule for a specific race or anything just yet. Thanks again - I will let you know how it works out when the time comes

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

Yeah, four runs a week is a lot! OK as an ideal, but unlikely to happen in real life I don't remember having back to back runs on my three runs plan, but then I rescheduled a lot of sessions immediately, because it expected me to run at the weekend for some reason

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Yep there is no way I could manage 4 a week. Ive moved runs a couple of times. I don’t mind weekends. But not back to back over a weekend!

[AnnieW55]

For my HM plan I ran 3 days a week so no back to backs, apart from a couple I scheduled that way. I can't remember when your HM is - do you have plenty of time? If so just change your days - assuming you want to. Or are you running 4 times a week?

For info: If you do have a bit of trouble moving your dates, it may be down to the week starting on the wrong day (I had that and was fine once I started the week on Monday instead of Sunday. It makes a difference the way some of the days move. You'll know when it happens 🙂). I'm starting a new plan in the New Year.

As roseabi says, have fun.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to AnnieW55]

I don't even have a race in mind until at least May so, there is plenty of time to finish this plan and probably do another one before then I actually chose 3 times a week for the runs, and the plan set these 5 and 10s up next to each other with a couple of rest days before the next run. For instance - On Dec 11 it has a 5k and 10 back to back and then 2 days later 17k - that one worries me a bit. Will probably add some buffer there.

Thank you!

[AnnieW55]

Ah, that explains it - your plan is shorter than the one I followed. I'm sure it will be fine. Just the usual advice of listen to your body and move your runs around, or go to the "easier" plan if you need to (you are given the option to make the plan you are following tougher if "they" notice you are speedy).

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to AnnieW55]

Yes that makes sense Annie - I didn't realize it actually interacted with you based on your performance. Does it send you an email or is it in the interface somewhere? This is impressive for a free program!

[AnnieW55]

It's an email.

You get an email prompt on your run day

Towards the end of each section you get another email saying something like we've noticed you're going faster than you're plan here's new timings do you want to accept. (I ran all my planned runs faster than I was 'told' to and ended up with a PB 20mins faster than in 2015.) I will say though I am an oldie (in age, how did that happen) and have been running for 5yrs now. If you are relatively new to this take your time as your ligaments and bones are slower to build than your cardio fitness which is pretty instantaneous. So run, have fun and take care

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to AnnieW55]

I’ve not received any emails yet, but I’m only in the second phase Thanks I will keep an eye out for them.

[misswobble Marathon]

The average plan is actually very hard! The easy plan is hard as well. You need to have run between 18 to 24 months to have built a pair of running legs

The slow runs are described in full so you know why they’re there. To help condition your legs for the further phases. If you do a plan that is too hard, and run back to back, you could end up on the injury Couch.

I tried the easy plan on 4 days and it was too hard so pegged it back to 3 days. Did you just look at the speed of the runs in the first phase?

I’d ease off. It’s early days for you so don’t blow it 🙂🏃‍♂️👍

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes I’ve only been running since May, so just over 6 months. The mid plan has been ok for me so far, but I am early into it. Maybe to be safe I will dial it back to easy then. I am in no rush here. Thanks for your advice as always. 👍🏼🙂

[ju-ju- Marathon]

I dont know much about the Myasics plans other than people say they are really good... however that does sound like alot??

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Yes I also like the structure, but I think I’m going to dial it back to easy mode after seeing some of the replies from much more experienced runners like yourself. Thank you!

[Hidden]

I have set up a hm plan on my asics to run two days a week so I can parkrun the third day. None of my runs are back to back. I am in the early phase for April and will see how I get on. Today I am scheduled to run but having a day off to sort birthday and Christmas shopping for my trio plus my hip flexor feels tight. We shall have to catch up on our progress! I think the longest run on mine is 11.5 miles (18.4k) so not the full hm distance. I am contemplating booking now that I have seen the new route........

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

That's interesting - I wonder why mine are showing back to back then? Maybe I will try a new schedule from scratch and see what happens. My longest run just before finishing was 17k too, yours is a bit longer ! Ah technology....

Good luck with your program and yes we will need to catch up as we go through it! And I hope your hip is feeling better soon...