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Garmin Coach Plan - Easy Runs

I started a 14 week Half Marathon Coach plan (Coach Greg) with a target time of 1 hour 32 on 31st August. Going into the third week of the plan, all I have done so far is Easy runs (7 in a row and 4 more on the schedule up next), 3 * 30-40 minute during the week and a longer one at the weekend, approximately 80 minutes. Checking week 4 on the calendar, it's another week of easy runs. VO2 is at 53.

Is this normal? I was expecting more variety, it's basically just saying go for a run! Due to them being set as easy runs, the pace is set at no quicker than 4:59 min/km, yet my target pace will be 4:22.

Do I just trust in the process or give up on the Garmin Coach plan?

0 9859531 over 3 years ago

Hi,

I choose coach Amy and a less ambitious goal of 2h12-semi-marathon and I have the same problem. Finishing week 3 with only easy runs at slow pace, and what I can see from week 4 coming ahead are easy runs again and again... I was expecting more variety to be able to improve my pace. I am not running fast because I am on trails, and it is going up and down. This plan is just always the same and I don't see the added value, these easy runs are borring me.

0 Vallencius over 3 years ago

I started with a 10k plan 7 weeks ago. The first 3-4 weeks were just easy runs at a much slower pace than the goal. It then began to include strides repeats. At the moment I have 2 easy runs and 2 different activities per week, and now the activities have started at a pace close to the desired. I guess in the beginning everyone starts like this to build a base, regardless of the level of preparation, and then according to the results the app diversifies the workouts a bit.

0 caferey over 3 years ago

14 weeks is quite a long time for a HM plan. I’ve done a marathon with 12. It’s still early days. First few weeks of most plans are base building. Think of training as a pyramid. Should get faster as you get closer to the date.

What you could do is some strides a few times a week. 10x100m at around 5K pace in a 10-13k easy run. This will help you break the boredom and get your feet moving fast again.

For what’s it worth I got the Pfitz book for road racing and it’s a must have. Very informative even if you don’t do the plans. I went from 1:33 to sub 1:30 with it.

0 didney over 3 years ago

You’re three weeks into a 14 week plan. Just go with it, it’ll bet more difficult.

Most of the workouts will be slow runs anyway to build base.