Does it matter which training program?

kburgess247

Hi! I am a newbie at taking my runs past the 4 mile marker and I signed up for a half in October. This Saturday will be precisely 12 weeks before the half-marathon. I have been using Smart Coach on my phone for the last month and like the simplicity of it.

Can anyone cite any real benefits to using Hal Higdon vs. Smart Coach or any other plans. My only goal at this point is to finish since it is my first race.

Should I just pick any program and stick to it (i.e. keep following Smart Coach) or should I switch programs now to one that is clearly superior?

Thanks!

bridies01

I haven't tried Hal's plan. I used Smart Coach for my last half (which I didn't run because I tore my calf three weeks before the race) and I really liked how it told me distance and pace. My newbie error was looking at those paces as the minimum rather than something to stick to - therefore I ran too fast, over trained, and opened myself up to injury.

Right now I am using the Furman FIRST plan - it is based around just 3 days of running plus cross training days. Good for those of us that are more injury prone. You can run easy on the cross training days if you prefer. I really like this plan too, as I find I need to add in a spin class and a body pump class a week to keep my muscles aligned well and not developing the muscle imbalance I tend to get from too much running. The three running workouts are tough to hit, I was worried I wouldn't be able to hit the interval paces, but it wasn't a problem.

workout_junkee

I used Hal Higdon's Novice 1 for my first and had good luck. I will use his Novice 2 plan for my October half.

I think the most important thing is picking a plan with a schedule that works for you and sticking with it.