Do I Really Need a Training Plan?

No, BUT.....there are MANY benefits to using one.

First, let's start with WHAT IS A TRAINING PLAN?
A training plan is a written schedule of what you should be doing either everyday of the week or during your walk/run training sessions.  Training plans are strategic schedules that help the walker/runner to safely prepare for an event such as a 5K, but they can also be used to help the walker/runner increase the distance s/he goes and/or to help the walker/runner to get faster.

Second, WHY IS USING A TRAINING PLAN A GOOD IDEA?
Training plans are great tools/resources because they often are created by certified coaches who have broken up the distance or time goal over a number of weeks to help a walker/runner get from where they currently are (i.e. a 15 minute mile or 1.5 miles) to where they want to go (i.e. a 12 minute mile or to do a 5K).  The big reason to use a training plan is that the increase in physical effort (i.e. faster or further) is spread out over a number of weeks to help the walker/runner safely adapt to the new physical demands and thus reducing the chance of getting hurt.

Next, SHOULD I USE A TRAINING PLAN IF I'M NOT DOING A RACE?
YES definitely!  Training plans are not just for elite athletes looking to run in the Olympics :)   I'm a big fan of the recreational walker/runner using a training plan for a couple of reasons.  First, it acts like a personal coach and removes the guess work of "how far should I go today" or "how fast should I do it".  You simply look at the date on the training plan and that's what you do (of course, you modify the distance and intensity if needed because of things such as illness or weather).   Second, the gentle increase in time and distance over time and the differences in sessions during the week (hills, speed, intervals, slow, etc) help prevent your body from becoming acclimated.  Your body needs to constantly be challenged...to have things changed up.  If you are always walking the same pace for the same distance, you are not getting the most out of your exercise because your body is conditioned to it.  Using a plan as a guide will help keep your body guessing and help you to get the most out of every workout session.

Lastly, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT USING A TRAINING PLAN?
YES!  One size does not fit all!  Although there countless numbers of plans created by "experts", it's advisable to pick the one that works for you and modify it as you may need.  One good example is a training plan for a half marathon.  Most half marathon training plans have the runner only run up to 10 miles prior to the event, but I found in my training that I needed the experience to give me confidence of running 11, 12, and 13 miles a couple of times prior to the event.  Other examples of ways to modify training plans may be to increase a 3 times a week plan to 4 times a week or to decrease a 5 times a week plan down to 4 times a week.  Altering a training plan is not difficult, but there are people who are happy to help you (myself, 3 Rivers Running Company staff, etc).

I mention all of this because there is a very nice walking (or it can be adapted to running) training plan from Mayo Clinic that is 12 weeks long.  Click HERE to check it out.  It just might be the "thing" to help keep you motivated as Striders wraps up in the next few weeks and the busy fall season begins.