Why does Garmin Run Coach (with DSW) want me to do 5 workouts per week?

I'm trying out the Garmin Run Coach (with Daily suggested workout, not Greg/Amy/Jeff) to train for a half marathon.

In setting up the plan I ideally wanted to train only 3 days a week. But Garmin Coach tells me I can only have 2 days off.

I enjoy running but it's not the main focus of my life and I'm not looking to achieve any particularly fast time - so why this restriction? I easily did a half marathon last year on only 3 running days a week (using Coach Jeff).

As a workaround I'm just ignoring a couple of workouts a week but in the back of my mind I wonder if it means my build up won't be as intense as it should be. [To mitigate that I'll also compare as I go with the equivalent Coach Jeff plan I did last year and train for a but longer in my workouts if necessary, but it would be nicer if I could just configure it with 3 workouts a week in the first place]

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Etupes25 1 month ago +3

Paulr707 said:
As a workaround I'm just ignoring a couple of workouts a week but in the back of my mind I wonder if it means my build up won't be as intense as it should be

You are doing the right…

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0 Etupes25 1 month ago

Paulr707 said:
As a workaround I'm just ignoring a couple of workouts a week but in the back of my mind I wonder if it means my build up won't be as intense as it should be

You are doing the right when just ignoring a DSW.

Wrt to your training optimization, don't worry. It is better to follow the plan periodization (training phases). If you miss or substitute a workout, the following workouts will adjust to match the weekly overall training load plan (part of periodization) and mix of type of workouts (part of periodization) while minimizing injury risks.

Note that if you do some anaerobic training like heavy strength training, the watch will underestimate your anaerobic load. You should be OK with the typical bodyweight strength training for runners.

If you replace/ignore a workout, I recommend you do it for recovery runs. You can also replace monthly a long run by a race rehearsal (run 5-10mn intervals at target race pace) for the duration of the long run, or by a secondary race of any distance.

Overall keep the target load focus (this is specific to your type of race).

I found it useful as well to look up online some workouts to test your race target pace before the actual race. This typically will have you do specific workouts every 2-3 weeks to test whether your target pace is ideal. I just replace the DSW of that day.

0 Paulr707 1 month ago in reply to Etupes25

Thanks for your detailed and helpful reply.

Especially the comment about load focus. I hadn't clocked that this is tailored to the race. Hopefully this should be very useful as a check that I'm on track.