Anyone used Garmin half marathon plan?

[Kirst13]

I started the garmin half marathon plan with Coach Amy 17 weeks ago to give myself plenty of time- I took about 5 months to do couch to 5k in 2021- I like to take my time 😁I've just got 11 weeks left before the Kew half marathon (cheapest way into the gardens nowadays 🤣was a penny when I was a kid). Anyway, 11 weeks left and still not up to 10k, which I was running before I started the plan. I have to admit getting a couple of 10ks in on a "pause" in the plan, as I was worried about not at least keeping what I had. The plan only shows the next 4 runs, so I am wondering if anyone knows when (if) it will get me to longer distances. Thanks 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

You’ve got lots of time so try not to worry and trust the plan. Most HM plans start with relatively low mileage for the first few weeks and then build gradually probably peaking at 10 miles as your longest run a few weeks or week before race day.

I’ve not followed a Garmin HM plan but I have done others and I know what you mean about the fear of falling back and the feeling of “but I can do more!” These plans work because they build stamina and endurance and each week is paced accordingly. Just trust in it and you’ll be fine.

It sounds like a great race, so you have lots to look forward to! Good luck and keep us updated on how you get on.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I’ve just re-read your post and noticed you started this 17 weeks ago. Was the plan for complete beginners, ie someone who couldn’t run any distance rather than someone who was already at 10K. It sounds like it.

Such a shame you can’t see all the runs ahead. Hopefully someone will be along who has done this plan. But as I said in my previous reply, follow the plan and you’ll be fine.

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It asked weekly mileage before I started, and did a baseline run, but I think it was beginners, I didn't feel beyond beginner yet. I also thought they were doing clever algorithms based on my pace, heart rate and cadence to calculate the lengths of the run, as the distances were very strange. About 14 weeks in, I realised the distances were all multiples of 1.61km, so miles 🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Kirst13]

Mmmmnnn…. If you search for “Garmin HM Plans” on the forum here you will get other posts about the Garmin plans. There might be something useful in there.

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks, I should have thought of that! 🤪

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I got up to 8k and 10k but stopped on that plan because I'm slow and it just took too long to keep doing one long run a week about half way through if I remember right I liked the NRC plan better

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks. I'm slow too 😁, but do have time to keep running for longer than they are giving me. I've tried a few guided runs with NRC, but thought it would be handy having the garmin plan on my watch, as I don't like bringing my phone. Might rethink it though.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Kirst13]

I liked not bringing my phone then got some leggings with pocket on outside thigh and it's easy, good luck with the plan, it sounds like a very long plan though

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

I think it's my big protective case with all my cards and cash and its huge and if I take it out, I worry I may drop it just when the case is off 🤣 I think the plan was long because I was thinking ahead and signed up early, wanting to increase gently, but it seems they aren't increasing yet and I will have all the increase nearer the event anyway 🙄

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Kirst13]

I have quite a big phone with protective case, which is why I like the leggings pocket. A long plan is good but I do understand you want longer runs as well

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

I did a 13 week Garmin plan, but it was time based rather than distance. By week 4 I was already at 1 hr 45 minutes for my long easy run, which was 14/15km. The weekly long run was around this time for the rest of the plan. The shorter faster paced runs were way too fast for me though and it was quite demotivating. It was supposed to get me to a 2 hr 10 finish time but I actually ran 2.32, so I don’t think it was the best plan for me. Good luck with yours though!

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks. I'm wondering if it's all gentle until about 10 weeks left (next week) and then pushes me too hard for me. But I can't peek ahead to see. I'm just going at my own pace, which might be why the distance hasn't increased. We'll see. I'm not worried about time, just finishing is my aim, but I'd like to start doing longer ones- I might just have to cheat a little 😂

[Kat332zz Marathon]

I haven’t done the half marathon but did try one of their “adjust to you” ones. Not a great fan. Don’t like the mystery element and not convinced it adjusts to your fitness based on the runs you do. I now do their other training plans and am much happier, they do seem to build very slowly, which is probably wise. I have also learned how to make my own run plan for my watch and/or alter their runs so I can tweak the schedule a little to suit me. Good luck on your half marathon, sounds like it will be a great day.

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to Kat332zz]

Thanks. Yes, I was very disappointed to realise 3.22km and 9.66km weren't distances calculated to 10metres accuracy specifically for me 🤣 I'll have to try to get more technical with my watch.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I haven't tried a Garmin plan myself, but have seen some very mixed reviews on here. Personally, I would hate not knowing what was ahead, but if it is an 'adaptive plan' (adapting based on your actual performance in each run), then I can understand why you can't see ahead.

If not knowing is getting to you, you could always try switching to a different plan. The NRC app plan is very popular - it gives you the option of picking how many runs you want to do each week (ideally ensuring you have at least one speed run, a pace run and a long run). WIth it you can look ahead right to the end.

For more information, half marathon training plans were discussed in this post : healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks. I'm not sure how much adapting it does. And if it's not increasing my distance because my fitness isn't ready, I think it should warn me asap😂 I'll have to see if I can get the NRC plan onto the watch, as that is a plus for the garmin plan. Thanks for the link.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Kirst13]

You would have to put the NRC app on your phone - you can't load it onto Garmin.

I start the NRC app on my phone, stick it straight in my pocket and then start my watch and go! I get the voice guidance from my phone, but use the Garmin recording as my primary record of the run. In the interval based runs I press the 'lap' button on my watch (bottom right button) for each new interval - that way I can see clearly exactly how close to target pace I was in each interval. I have to say I find the NRC guided speed runs really motivating and step right out of my comfort zone with the motivation the virtual coach manages to give 😊 Great fun!

[Tabbles Half Marathon]

I once found a site listing all of the runs for each coach. But tried finding it again and am unable.

[Kirst13 Half Marathon in reply to Tabbles]

Thanks for looking 😁