Can You Combine Our Follow-Along Training with Your Local Club Sessions?
Short answer: Yes!
This is a common scenario, especially for marathon runners—but really, every runner should be following a structured plan. (If you’re in our Sports Pilates program, you’ll already have access to follow-along running plans. If you want to be in this plan but are not then just email everardpilates@gmail.com .
The challenge comes when you want to stick to your training plan but also enjoy the group aspect of training with your local club.
Thankfully there is a way to get the best of both worlds.
- Stick to the Weekly Structure.
Replace the workout in your weekly plan with the club session, provided they are similar.
- In all my plans one day is typically more 5k/10k type work and the other is very aerobic.
- For example, if the club session is typically track-based or hill repeats, swap it for the equivalent 5k/10k session in your plan.
- Generally group training is not a threshold/Aerobic session but if it is, then swap this session.
- This ensures you maintain the aerobic balance and structure of your training.
- Adjust for Different Days.
If the club session falls on a different day than your plan suggests, adjust accordingly to keep your overall schedule balanced. So again for example, if the club trains on Thursday and you were scheduled in your plan for another workout on Friday. Move Friday’s workout to at least Saturday.
- For Marathon or Half Marathon Prep. What if the session just doesn’t suit at all?
If your local club session is a short-distance workout (e.g., 8 x 400m or 6 x 800m) and you’re training for a longer race, you can tweak it:
- Add some aerobic work before or after the session, such as 2 x 1 mile at Zone 3 or 4 effort.
- Then, do the club session but at a slightly reduced intensity.
- This way, you enjoy the social aspect while still prioritizing your aerobic development and mileage for the night.
By following these tips, you can seamlessly combine the benefits of a structured training plan with the camaraderie of your local running group.
