Are you following a training plan that you got out of a book or off the internet — and realizing it's not working for you?

Maybe it's making you tired or hurting your joints. Or maybe you're just not getting the results you want. 

If you're in this boat, let me assure that I've been there too. I've felt the frustration — and also some burning rage at the training plan creator. 

And I'm also here to tell you that, in most cases, whatever is going wrong can be fixed. 

So in today's episode, I'll share some common training plan mistakes. And then I'll show you some best practices to help you use training plans the right way. 

Links/Resources Mentioned

Further Reading on the blog

• Training Plan Workbook [free download]

• “I’m not ready, and I’m going to die.” [podcast episode]

Episode Sneak Peek

• [3:47] Training plan pitfalls. My experience with training plans as a coach and athlete. How I realized that blindly following a training plan can backfire.

• [8:20] Common mistakes athletes make when choosing a training plan, and how you can ensure that a training plan will fit in with your abilities and lifestyle.

• [11:24] Why training plans are not meant to be done from start to finish perfectly. It’s time for us all to get off the perfectionism treadmill and adapt the plan to our bodies. (Because doing it the other way around doesn’t work!)

• [13:09] The dangers of giving up responsibility. We all want some wise, magical person to write us a roadmap for success. But at the end of the day, we are always our own best coaches. And there are some things that only we can know/decide.

• [14:27] Why it’s absolutely essential to reconnect with your body and trust its intelligence during training. So many of us are constantly in our heads and disconnected from how we’re feeling (tired, frustrated, energized, etc.). It’s a distortion we can’t afford during hard training.

• [15:50] Many people believe you have to finish a training plan before you go on your trip. But honestly, there’s nothing magic about finishing. Here why it’s actually better to be undertrained than overtrained when you start a trip.

• [18:38] Part of working from a training plan is coaching yourself. Are you a kind, supportive, constructive coach? Or are you like Abby Lee Miller, constantly screaming and belittling? Here’s how to get back on track if you need a little self love.

• [20:58] How to use milestones to make training less overwhelming and encourage flexibility. What are the most important things you need to work on in training? When you’re adapting your training plan, you should always keep these front and center.

• [22:33] Training plans are meant to be adapted! Here are some common adaptations that can help you: 8-day weeks, adjusting cycle length, and flexible ramp up.

• [25:06] Why it’s crucial to log all of your workouts. How to use your log to prevent overtraining and maximize your results.

• [26:16] A crucial question for every workout is: how hard can I push today? Here’s how to use mind-body techniques to tune into your fitness and fatigue levels and make smarter decisions.

• [28:10] How to fall in love with the concept of “enough.” Endurance athletes tend to be type A personalities, and we can be quite relentless with ourselves. Sometimes it’s important to let your training season, your preparation, or your effort in a single workout be enough. Here’s how to make peace with what is.

This episode is brought to you by Mountain Fit

If you want to level up your fitness game and tackle bigger adventures, check out my online master class Mountain Fit: Self Coaching for Mountain Athletes. In this course, you’ll learn all the skills and tools you need to become your own outdoor fitness coach. If you’re hooked on adventure, learning how to train is one of the best investments you can make in your future. So stop wasting time and money with trainers who don’t understand our sport, and learn how to get in the best shape of your life with Mountain Fit!

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