Help on determining which plan to use - Beg. or Int.
I already read the wiki on "how to chose the right plan level" so I understand the difference between the levels quite well now, as well as read the quick start guide however I recall seeing someplace more specific criteria such as HIM and IM finish times as a basis for choosing Beginner and Intermediate levels for the OS.
Can anyone point me to where that is or recall off of the top of their heads?
Thank you!
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http://members.endurancenation.us/Resources/Wiki/tabid/108/Default.aspx?topic=how+to+choose+the+right+level+plan
Never mind - you've already read this - sorry...
I'll keep looking to see if there's a URL, but I apologize for responding to quickly with a URL you've already read.
But I agree with what Ryan says - the plan level should be based on your ability to absorb the work; because the paces are based on your current fitness level as determined by the test, everyone is training at roughly the same intensity, subject to how much they give to the tests.
IMO the biggest differentiating factor is your ability to absorb the training. Many things play into that - athletic background, training history, injury prone-ness (not a word, but you know what I mean), established recovery protocol, etc. So if you haven't trained much or are returning from a major injury, beginner might be the better option. If you know how to nail recovery and have been injury free or know exactly what signs to watch for to get an indication of when to back off, go with advanced. If unsure, go with intermediate.
However, I admit that I haven't used a large variety of plans - so someone who has been around EN for longer than I, and who has used a variety of plans, may be able to add more info.
There used to be a time stated for the advanced plan, but since RnP no longer publicize that, I'll stay mum on it. The plans aren't really meant to be segregated by speed, but more by tolerance of and desire for hard work. I no longer meet the time requirement for the Adv plan (I lost that distinction a year ago), but I still use it, cause I want to challenge myself to the max, and have the time and headspace to do it. Others, who may even be faster than I, might use the Int. plan d/t time constraints of family/work, or simply being less competitively driven than I am.
IMO, the only reason for picking the Beginer plan is, you've been on the couch away from any real physicial activity for an extended period of time (more than 8 weeks?), due to injury, sloth, pregnancy, (I am NOT equating pregnancy with either injury OR sloth - I'm an OB Doc, and know better), or whatever.
If you've been doing the "Pre-OS" plan, or if you have been routinely exercising 5+ days a week, 4-5 hours or more total, than you can handle the Int plan. It has a slow ramp-up.
And there's nothing to say that you can't start out with Beg, and if you find it too easy after 2-3 weeks, move on to Int, or even Adv. Two years ago, d/t big injury, I started out with two weeks of Beg, then did a month or so of Int, and finished the OS with Adv. Last year, I was not coming off the ocuch, but didnt run for 6 weeks d/t plantar fascia, so I started with Int, and moved to a combo of Int and Adv after about 4-6 weeks. Stay flexible and reasonable.
Thank you all so much! That advise was exactly what I was hoping to hear/read.
I have been working out 5 days a week, and have been working out with intensity and power for the past year. I will stay with my thought of going intermediate and let the work speak and my ability to absorb it speak for itself.
Thanks for asking the question I've thought about, but then ignored based on the times....
Vets, thanks for chiming in!
We have the race times guidance in the Season Planning Survey and you guys actually self-select that when you submit your surveys to me. I've added that guidance to the wiki page here.