How exactly did you create your training plan on the computer? Did you use exel, and is it hard to do?! I am going to be running my first full sometime this spring, and I think a computer-based training plan would be key to helping me stay on track!

I do best when I pre-plan my workouts. I’m in Boston Marathon training mode so I have all my runs planned out through April 18th. I also aim to go to kettlebell 2-3 days per week. So far it has worked fairly well for me. Although I do wish I had time for some yoga, unfortunately time is at a premium due to working full time and starting up a new business!

I’ve planned workouts up to eight months in advance, but it doesn’t work out. I’m having much more success by setting weekly goals.

The first pansy photo in this post is simply beautiful.

I ran a marathon last spring, after which I literally had NO motivation to run…for months! It was sad, because I’ve always identified myself as a runner. Eventually, I forced myself to sign up for another marathon and then put together a specific day-by-day training plan. It might seem counter-intuitive, but having a day-by-day plan was what eventually brought back my motivation! Accomplishing my goal each day was really satisfying – and I loved that I was working towards one major goal in the future. I’m hopeful that you’ll find your plan to be similarly inspiring!

I get a sick amount of joy out of entering all my training runs, body pump and yoga classes into my gmail calendar. It’s like my crack.

Striking resemblance!

I find I’m more likely to follow through with a training plan if I write it down.

Haha! Yes! James DOES look like Doby! That’s hilarious!

i like dhoby the free elf a lot 🙂

Plotting out a training plan definitely helps me when I’m training for a race– otherwise, I tend to blow off runs, especially the shorter ones!

James DOES look like Dobby! Hahah.. that made my day!!!

I usually plan my workouts a day in advance so that I can mentally prepare for them…I’m not one to think much further ahead than that. If I were training for something I might…I usually follow the same general routine every week, but I change up the exercises.

I pre- plan my workouts weekly. I do not write them down but I know in my head what workouts I want to do for the week!

I sometimes plan out my workouts in advance (if I am training for something or working on a specific aspect of fitness.

Most of the time, though, I basically know what yoga classes / gym classes are available to me in a given time slot (lunch or evening), and I choose whether I want to do something on my own or one those options really close to my actual workout time based on how I feel.

This is my first time training for a race and I’m using the Hal Higdon plan so I have an idea of what my workouts will look like for the next month!

But usually on Sunday I sit down and think it through (i.e well I have class here here and here, sororoity stuff this day, I really like this ballet class on thursday) and plan it all through.

Oh man I totally call my dog Dobby all the time when he puts his ears like that!

As far as workouts go, I generally fly by the seat of my pants and let myself choose each day what I’m in the mood for.

However, that works well if I’m trying to lose weight and my main goal is to burn calories. It failed miserably after I finished losing 40 lbs and started running last year. It wound up with me never improving my speed OR distance because I never had a training plan to improve.

Then I got in the mindset of “oh hey, if you don’t want to work out today, that’s cool. Whenever you are ready just pick it back up again”

And like three months went by! Whoopsie. I have been getting back on track this week and have already done two solid workouts. But man, I am SORE! (Oh and 15 lbs heavier. Damnit!)

Hahaha yes, Dobby is one of my favorite characters, and they do look alike. I usually don’t follow a training plan, but I probably will my spring half-marathon to stay motivated.

So Dobby!

Do you devise your own training plan or take it from somewhere?

haha, he really does look like Dobby!

Bahahaha omg he does! I’m in pre-race train mode right now also, have to get the mileage up before the training officially starts.

I don’t prefer pre-planned work outs, but I just signed up for my FIRST half marathon! So I’m going to stick to a plan so I feel ready when the marathon comes.

And I really need to make that brown rice breakfast bowl. It reminds me so much of rice pudding YUM!

My workouts are pretty much ingrained in my daily schedule now. I don’t really think about it too much. There are 2 days a week I’d prefer to be my swim days just because I know those days it’s not crowded.

I totally fly by the seat of my pants. I love the idea of rice for breakfast; it looks like oats

I love that James looks like Dobby with those pointy ears, so cute 🙂 I am starting a new fitness plan for the new year and am trying to keep track of it on my computer. Do you use Excel or Google to fitness plan? I am really trying to stay more organized this year and really mark progress; sometimes you need to see your accomplishments out in front of you to truly realize them.

I don’t usually plan my workouts except for when I was training for a 1/2 marathon. As part of my NYR’s I’m starting to plan my workouts because I think my “wing it” approach has not led me to see the results I am hoping to achieve. I love the new year!

I used to just go for it. But I was getting frustrated I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. I am already a very oranized and planned out person, so I decided I would come up with a plan. It has worked wonders!

OMG, you mean I could have a James of my very own? EEK! If I lived in the Carolinas, you better believe I’d be snatching that puppy up in 2 seconds flat. And yes, he IS Dobby!!

RE training plans: The first time I started training for a 1/2, I made a super rigid training plan that piled on the miles way too fast for me, and I ended up with pretty seriously strained tendons and an 8 week “vacation” from running. This time around, I combined at least 3 different plans and extended them over 22 weeks instead of 16, and so far so good! Also, instead of planning ahead of time which runs I’ll do one which days of the week, I just have them all written down, so I can sit down and plan them around my weekly commitments. I know you can do that on other programs, too, but it just FEELS much more flexible, so I’m gonna roll with it!

Thanks for so much awesome advice, keep rockin’!

Janene

I’m running my first half-marathon this April, and I spent far too much time on Friday figuring out a training plan. After perusing the internet for sample plans for hours, I finally just decided to make my own–I’m on track so far!

James is SO Doby! haha!