Lots and Lots of Training Plan Stuff

The theme of the week for Take It and Run Thursday is Training Plans.   It is a broad topic that includes the plans we use to train for our favorite races as well as training plan "tools".   

When I sat down to write a few words about training plans, I realized that I can't point to just one book, article, link or tool that I have used to make my training plans.  There are hundreds of pieces of information and a thousand lessons learned that are the building blocks behind the training plans I use today.  Now with many runs and TRI's of various distance under my belt I feel really confident that I can create a training plan for any event at any time.   

But it wasn't always that way - in the first 10 years I read alot of books, magazines, blogs, and borrowed alot of plans.   And then I tinkered with the plans to get my training just right - one that fit into my schedule, didn't kill me and had an interesting mix of running.   Today, I am still a student of training plans and always trying to squeeze a bit more out of a diminishing amount of available time.

Here are some of my favorite books that were part of my "early education".  Most of these suggested by Tom over the years for a solution to any number of my training plan issues:

Run Fast. How to Beat Your Best Time.  Hal Higdon—for 5k and 10k

Alberto Salazar’s Guide to Road Racing: Championship Advice for Faster times from 5k to Marathon.

Daniel’s Running Formula. Jack Daniels. Considered the world’s greatest running coach.  Teaches you the different types of training—interval, repeat, lactate threshold, pace workouts.  Also explains how to build your own plans around your abilities and priorities.

The Runners Book of Training Secrets. Ken Sparks.

The Competitive Runner’s Handbook. Bob Glover and Shelly-Lynn Glover.  Has programs for Novice Compeititor, Basic Competitor, Advanced Competitor, and Local Champion for 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon.

Outside of the plan, my next biggest challenge is mapping routes that fit my schedule and keep me interested and entertained.  I have really enjoyed the mapping features with my Nike iPod on the Nikeplus site.   Its handy to use when I am in a hurry and already at the site looking at my last few runs.

I have also used other running map sites - here are a few of my favorites:

MapMyRun.com

FavoriteRun.com

USATF Running Routes

Google Maps (gmaps-pedometer)

Run.com

I am really looking forward to your posts tomorrow and the resources and plans you use to create your training plans.   If you have plans or training tips/resources to share, please take a few minutes to stop by the Running Know How section in Runners' Lounge (www.runnerslounge.com) and add some advice.   

Comments

[AndrewE]

Thanks for sharing those plans. Reading time!

[Holly]

I like Hal Higdon's different training plans available online. It's helpful that he offers training distances for newbies and more seasoned runners. I have trained with a USA Fit group also, that has been most helpful.

[Nancy]

Wow, I think I will just keep having you and Tom build my plans over lunch. :D I bet you loved it that day when I turned up with my calendar printed out for you guys to tinker.

[Tom]

Nancy, we love exploring training and new approaches to help reach race goals, keeping in mind which shades of lip stick match your training runs.

[Nat]

So I just read: Daniel’s Running Formula. Jack Daniels.

As Daniel's Running Formula: Jack Daniels. I had vision of run down contry bars, and doing body shots at every mile. hahaha

Says something about my state of mind today.