What Does a Personalized Training Program Look Like?
- DRBrooksRN
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
In years past, I would embark on the noble quest of finding the perfect online training program for the distance I was planning to run. It was like trying to find a unicorn in a haystack! Let’s take a light-hearted look at all the reasons why this approach often goes hilariously wrong.
1. The Mysterious Starting Point
First of all, the starting point often resembles a game of “Guess Who?” with options like “Endurance Run of 7-10 miles.” Seriously, where do you fit on that scale? Have you bravely conquered 7 miles, or has your longest run been a leisurely 3 miles while avoiding the neighbor's overly enthusiastic dog? Are you one of those mythical creatures who runs 13 miles every weekend just for fun? It’s all very confusing!
2. The Enigma of Intervals
Next up, you see that you have “Intervals” scheduled this week. But how do you warm up? Is it a gentle jog, or a frantic sprint to the bathroom because you misjudged your pre-run hydration? And how on earth does that fit into an ordinary running day? It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole while blindfolded!
3. The Training Program Time Warp
Then there's the classic time warp: your training program is designed for a Half Marathon in 20 weeks, but you’ve decided to throw a curveball and run a 5K in 3 weeks. How do you squeeze that in as a “training run”? Do you just show up, run, and hope for the best while wearing a cape for dramatic effect? It’s a real head-scratcher!
4. Terrain Troubles
And let’s not forget about the terrain of your target race. If your race is hilly or in the mountains, are you getting enough training on that type of terrain? Or are you just practicing your “I’m pretending to be a mountain goat” skills on flat pavement? Spoiler alert: that won’t cut it!
5. The Bright Side of Structure
When I finally began to build training programs using the UESCA training principles and research-based evidence, I started to see changes—like personal bests on various segments, improvements in running form, and even a decrease in recovery time. Who knew structure could be so transformative? It was like finding the secret sauce to running!
6. Join Us for a Laugh (and Some Serious Training)
Our website has just been updated to reflect our new coaching offer. So, if you’re looking to transition from walking to jogging, improve your 5K time, or tackle a longer distance without feeling like you’re running through quicksand, sign up today for your free consultation. Let’s make this running journey as enjoyable (and amusing) as possible!
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