Coaching
Use Your Own Blueprint
How to create a training plann that works for you. All of you. With so much information out there, it can be overwhelming to try and piece together your 'perfect' training plan (hint: this may not exist), and many end up copying what they see their peers or the pros doing. This may not work for you!
Building Your Own Blueprint: Why Your Training Plan Should Be Yours
These days, training and racing are more visible than ever. With just a few clicks, you can see what elite runners, local competitors, and even your training partners are doing. Every workout, every split, every long run. This visibility can be exciting, inspiring, and even spark fresh motivation.
But here’s the catch: not every blueprint works for every builder.
Training is Architecture
Think of training like architecture. The “materials” we use in training (long runs, speed sessions, easy mileage, strength work, rest) are the bricks, wood, and mortar. Almost every runner has access to the same materials. There aren’t major trade secrets here; it’s not like one athlete is hiding a magic ingredient.
The difference lies in the design of the house.
A skyscraper and a cabin in the woods can both be remarkable feats of design, often built from the same basic beams and bricks. But their proportions, foundations, and blueprints are entirely different. The same is true for runners. Even two athletes training for the same distance, like two skyscrapers side by side, may require completely different mixes of workouts. One might already have ten floors built, while the other is still laying the foundation. Their training needs depend on experience, body history, goals, and lifestyle.
Why Copying Doesn’t Work
When you copy someone else’s plan, whether it’s a pro’s weekly mileage or your friend’s workout sequence, it’s like borrowing their blueprint and trying to build their house on your lot. Maybe it looks impressive, but:
Is your foundation strong enough for it?
Does it even suit your terrain?
Do you even want the same house?
That’s where training becomes personal. The right plan should reflect not just the “materials” of running, but the proportions and design that match your goals, your background, and your reality.
The Role of a Coach
A good coach is like an architect. They understand the building blocks, yes. But more importantly, they know how to shape them into a plan that’s structurally sound for you. They know what kind of foundation you already have, what reinforcements you’ll need, and how to adapt the design as your needs evolve.
Because ultimately, you don’t just want to build a house. You want to build your house- the one that fits you best, and the one that lasts.
Takeaway
Don’t get caught up in someone else’s blueprint. Use the excitement of seeing others’ training as inspiration, but remember that your own plan should be tailored to you. With the right design, the materials you already have can build something extraordinary.
Ready to build your best program? Connect with a TAG coach today and let’s design the blueprint that fits your goals, your foundation, and your future.
Building Your Own Blueprint: Why Your Training Plan Should Be Yours
These days, training and racing are more visible than ever. With just a few clicks, you can see what elite runners, local competitors, and even your training partners are doing. Every workout, every split, every long run. This visibility can be exciting, inspiring, and even spark fresh motivation.
But here’s the catch: not every blueprint works for every builder.
Training is Architecture
Think of training like architecture. The “materials” we use in training (long runs, speed sessions, easy mileage, strength work, rest) are the bricks, wood, and mortar. Almost every runner has access to the same materials. There aren’t major trade secrets here; it’s not like one athlete is hiding a magic ingredient.
The difference lies in the design of the house.
A skyscraper and a cabin in the woods can both be remarkable feats of design, often built from the same basic beams and bricks. But their proportions, foundations, and blueprints are entirely different. The same is true for runners. Even two athletes training for the same distance, like two skyscrapers side by side, may require completely different mixes of workouts. One might already have ten floors built, while the other is still laying the foundation. Their training needs depend on experience, body history, goals, and lifestyle.
Why Copying Doesn’t Work
When you copy someone else’s plan, whether it’s a pro’s weekly mileage or your friend’s workout sequence, it’s like borrowing their blueprint and trying to build their house on your lot. Maybe it looks impressive, but:
Is your foundation strong enough for it?
Does it even suit your terrain?
Do you even want the same house?
That’s where training becomes personal. The right plan should reflect not just the “materials” of running, but the proportions and design that match your goals, your background, and your reality.
The Role of a Coach
A good coach is like an architect. They understand the building blocks, yes. But more importantly, they know how to shape them into a plan that’s structurally sound for you. They know what kind of foundation you already have, what reinforcements you’ll need, and how to adapt the design as your needs evolve.
Because ultimately, you don’t just want to build a house. You want to build your house- the one that fits you best, and the one that lasts.
Takeaway
Don’t get caught up in someone else’s blueprint. Use the excitement of seeing others’ training as inspiration, but remember that your own plan should be tailored to you. With the right design, the materials you already have can build something extraordinary.
Ready to build your best program? Connect with a TAG coach today and let’s design the blueprint that fits your goals, your foundation, and your future.