The inevitable has happened

[PurpleFish59]

So my HM race has been postponed from 28th Feb to 18th April. And my motivation seems to have disappeared.

I think I need to look at a new plan. My current Garmin coach one has not had a “long run” since 2nd January. You can’t see more than a week ahead in Garmin coach but this seems odd and it’s unlikely to start on long runs again 3 weeks before the end date. Anyone on here have any experience with the Garmin plans (mine is coach Greg)?

Now part of me is curious to see if this slightly odd approach would have worked out. But the other part of me is bored. All the runs for the last 3 weeks have been goal pace or easy runs for around 30 mins plus warm up and cool down (other than 1 tempo run which I made the most of!) think I need some intervals or dare I say some hills to increase the variety a bit. I also think I prefer plans with 3 runs a week. It is hard to fit in 4x runs, daily yoga, an S&C course, full time work, running a virtual Girl Guide unit and also the rest of life!

[misswobble Marathon]

I love a plan! If I have one I follow it. Loads of folks use the Garmin plans but they’re a bit hard I hear, but you simply choose the one to suit your life Have a look-see 👀.

Motivational wise just get out and run Put your fave tracks on and go and have fun 🙂

[PurpleFish59 in reply to misswobble]

I also love a plan, I just find this one very questionable. If anything it’s been easier than I expected (other than fitting in the 4th run!) as the long runs ended at week 10 and it seems to have been tapering for ages 🤔

Tonight I will go out and run for sure. I go stir crazy working from home otherwise!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

Oh yes I can imagine. It’s great to be able to escape to run 😃

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Although inevitable, it’s still disappointing isn’t it? Messes up your training 🙄

Sorry I can’t help on plans as I hate them and have just done my own thing for HM’s, but if you search online, you’ll get lots of options. Sometimes the race organisers publish a HM plan.... might be worth asking.

[PurpleFish59 in reply to Irishprincess]

Yeah it does feel a bit messy! I’ve researched a lot of plans the last few days, that’s why I feel my current one is unusual in that it’s been a long time between the last long run and the race

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

Whatever plan you go with you’ve got to trust it I guess and just follow what it suggests. Good luck!

[PurpleFish59]

I made it out last night, had a good run and this morning I ordered myself some new shoes (my current ones are well over the 600 mile mark) so motivation has returned and I’m going to carry on and run the distance anyway. Thanks for the encouragement 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sorry I missed this! Loving the return of your fighting spirit though 😊 I too love a plan, but I love juggling a plan too. Inevitably I need to move things to fit round weather or injury or cancelled events or whatever life throws at me! I like to be able to see what's coming up, where I'm going. I guess in theory Garmin should be doing the adapting in those circumstances, but I suppose I'm just a control freak! I would be having the same doubts and of course I'm curious now too - would it work?

Really disappointing about the postponed event, but at least it's still a possibility.

I just posted about 'mixing it up' in training - sounds like maybe you need a mixed up break from your plan for a little while, then maybe restart with a date of 28th April - same plan or a new one, that's the big question I guess!!!

[PurpleFish59 in reply to linda9389]

I mean I suppose there is absolutely nothing stopping me mixing it up. When it specifies 30 mins at goal pace I could make that a Fartlek session and averaging at goal pace I guess 🤷🏻‍♀️

Also think I’m bored of my route, I’m fairly limited given that it has to be fairly well lit and with limited trip hazards at this time of year. I ran it backwards yesterday and it was amazing how many different things I noticed!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

Reversing the route is amazing - even on a walking route it seems totally different!

[Irish-John Marathon]

Hills are bloody hard - but then for me so too was day one, day two, day three... Lol.I didn't even attempt a hill for over a year, but camevto grudgingly like them since. They are a hard slog - but in terms of improving time, speed and distance they give a huge payoff. I have some monsters around here that I feel like I crawl up - but its worth it

And helps with the boredom too! Its a great feeling as you slowly but surely knock each "Everest" off your list

Trick for me is to forget "running" up each bigger one at first, its more like a "just aninch each step away from running on the spot"

I'm talking going REALLY SLOW up while keeping my cadence as close to my flat speed as I can.

Probably looks achingly slow - but who cares?

[PurpleFish59 in reply to Irish-John]

I’m pretty used to having to tackle the odd hill, as it’s not particularly flat where I live. I decided to run my usual weekday route backwards this week, which I’ve never done before because I’d had to run up the big long hill that I usually get to run down! I’d say it’s definitely more challenging that way around, but more manageable than I thought!

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

Some of the monsyers around here, I run up like Im peddling the tiniest bike in the world -inching along but keeping the feet moving