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Full Marathon Garmin Coach Plan: Paces slow and distances short.

joeratliffe
15 days ago

Hello,

I have the Garmin Fenix 8 and started a Garmin Coach plan for a full marathon (26.2mi). I have read elsewhere that there is only a half marathon plan, but it seems like mine is for a full marathon. 

With that said, I am now 6 weeks of 25 weeks total into the plan, and it seems like my pace recommendations are slow and my long run recommendations are pretty short. My goal pace for the Marathon is 7:45min/mile (user input), but my Garmin recommends my base pace at 9:55min/mile and my threshold around 8:10min/mile. This may be because I am still getting into shape and it will improve over time, but I worry that it won't adapt quickly enough for race day. The threshold pace is very easy to hit for the recommended 3x6min workout that is recommended most weeks.

Additionally, I have only done a few Sunday long runs, but they have been capped at about 70min thus far. At a 9:55min/mile pace, this is not a lot of volume (about 7 miles). 

Has anyone used this training plan before and can comment on the workouts? Will these workouts adapt as I get closer to the race? The plan says I am still in the "Base" phase of the training plan, but I want to be sure I am on track for my goal.

Thank you,

Joe

  • 0 15 days ago

    You might have better luck posting in a forum related to your device.

    As for the Forerunner 965, a recent update added a new coaching option that is not as limited as the previous version which still exists. The prior coach program was limited to Jeff, Amy or Greg and capped out at a half. The new option adds a “generic” option not based on a specific coach and allows longer distances.

    Base runs are typically slower than what you would expect so a 9:55 seems reasonable. Also since you are just in the base phase runs around 70 min also seems reasonable. The build phase is where you wI’ll see the duration increase.

    It might also be that you don’t have the fitness, according to the watches metrics, to achieve a 7:45 and based on those metrics it is giving you a 9:55 and capping at 70 min as that’s all it thinks your body can handle.

    I have used them for multiple half’s without issue. I don’t typical set a specific goal however. The most recent half I beat the watches predicted time by 4 minutes but I think that’s in the ballpark of acceptable.

  • 0 14 days ago

    You're in base phase of the plan. This phase is first chapter of the plan. Your load will go increase at build and peak phases at least I experienced that at my previous 2 marathon plan. But last long runs were short for me too. I tried strava and garmin's static plans too. At those plans last 2-3 long runs reach 30-32KM. Bu in this adaptive plans I run 22-24KM only. Well I run my best marathon :). At least you should try and see result than make it more more suitable for you.

  • 0 14 days ago

    There is a lot to unpack here.

    First, Marathon training has evolved from the original "built up to a 20miler workout".

    Garmin's Run Coach is consistent with best practices that prioritize periodization (ie a multi-week layout of weekly training loads and workout mix), aerobic base building early on combined with rarer higher intensity workouts, "recovery" weeks, "activation" workouts, etc. It chooses a training focus specific to your race type. The main goal of the Run Coach is to have you within certain limits of a weekly training load. You couldn't fit within these limits with very long runs.

    Second, there is a data issue with your watch. You cannot have a 7:45min/mile goal and a 8:10min/mile threshold pace. You would be running your marathon as others would run their 5k!

    Either your target pace goal is not realistic or your threshold pace is wrong.

    You can check both independently.

    Can you run 1h (by definition) at steady pace at your threshold pace? If you finish with gas in the tank, it is too low. If you cannot finish, it may be too high. How does your 10k personal best compare with your threshold pace? You should run your 10k just above your threshold pace...

    Wrt to your target pace, how did you set it up? There are plenty of calculators online that will take your 5k, 10k and/or HM best times to estimate your marathon pace. Previous times are of course useful, but there has been a lot of years since your PB, age will be in the way. The Garmin Race predictor might be useful if your training metrics are not biased, but in your case, they might not be as the threshold pace may be off.

    Let us know which one of your target race pace or your threshold pace you think is wrong!