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DSW vs Garmin Coach training plan

Fr4nk
1 month ago

Hi Forum,

new Garmin user here!

I added an FM event in Q1 this year to the calendar and was trying to follow the DSW plan. I didn't know about the Garmin Coach feature before. While scrolling through my watch trying to find the training schedule it said in one of the menus to Open it in Garmin Connect Coach and I clicked it. Then I setup the Garmin coach with this event which replaced the DSW. The base run was already set to 40mins but now the coach set it to 30mins. I'm confused between those both features and now totally lost if the switch was good or bad and if I should revert (if possible) to DSW? Does the coach takes the previous training via DSW into account or does it not care at all? I'm afraid to start from the beginning as I read this coach is an "island" and blindly follows a plan without taking into account the previous training outside the plan etc. Can anyone give suggestion and point me in the right direction? Thanks!

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Fr4nk
    Fr4nk said:
    I believe I mixed up the "Base" with the "Build" phase. Checking the training plan for DSW says I'm in Build phase.

    You are good then: the watch is not starting you "from scratch" with a new training plan

    Fr4nk said:
    hence I created it back then...

    Creating a new plan will reset the periodization (probably within limits if you start a new plan a couple of weeks before a race, I guess).

    Fr4nk said:
    prompts me with a screen of daily running routine with some avg weekly distance and pace prepopulated - is it taken from DSW?

    Yes, this is supposed to help customize the design of the plan. A runner with a low volume would benefit from a different base/build mix for a marathon, for example. A runner with a low pace would benefit from a different base/build for a 5k with an aggressive pace goal. Note this is a general statement, Garmin doesn't publish exactly how the various parameters are taken into account.

    Fr4nk said:
    is it taken from DSW?

    From your running statistics.

    Fr4nk said:
    So does it mean, the coach is also in Build phase?

    I don't think so. If you sign up for a new training plan, the first phase will be the base phase most likely. It is possible that the new Garmin Run Coach simply takes over the older race plans and picks up its phase. As I am starting a new marathon program, I cannot test this, but you are kind of doing the testing.

    Fr4nk said:
    But then why it reduced the base run from 40mins to 30mins

    The duration and style  of upcoming workouts can change from one day to another because of the watch metrics (training readiness, etc.). So don't sweat such a minor difference, if there is on.

    Fr4nk said:
    So the recommendation is still then to follow DSW and not do the coach plan right?

    Since your main objective is to avoid messing up with your current level of preparation, yes, stick with the DSW. You will not gain additional training edge by switching to Garmin run coach (which appears to be the new name for the older race/event-driven DSW race plan).

    After the launch of Fenix 8, Garmin has changed the way Connect presents the previous Garmin Coach plans (Jeff/Amy/Greg). I couldn't find these plans on connect on mobile, but then I was looking for a Marathon plan. I am guessing that are still available for up to the HM.

    While this is easy to use, it is pretty confusing for users used to the previous training plan offerings.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Etupes25

    Are you sure the old Jeff/Amy/Greg plans ever had full marathon in them? I have a feeling they've always stopped at half marathon...

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to lucky1976

    Daily Suggested Workouts - they adjust when you add an event to your calendar and make a "plan" to get you fit by then.