Week 13 of my half marathon training with Garmin Coach is a short one. In the end I only did two runs this week, I was very busy, tired and a bit disorganized. I could’ve gotten in an extra run if I had planned this a little better, but I didn’t. Still 7 weeks to go till my first half marathon!
Training 44 – Tired run
Training 45 – Speed repeats
Another one of Amy’s speed repeats and it’s the same one as it’s been for the past weeks. Ten sets of 30 seconds fast (6:57 – 7:16 min/km) and 30 seconds recovery. Since all of the workouts in a week have been repeating itself for the past weeks, it appears there is a bug in the Garmin Coach plans. Through the Garmin Coach Runners Community on Facebook I’ve been seeing many other users reporting the same issue. It has been reported to Garmin and they seem to be investigating the problem.
I wanted to compare last week’s speed repeats with this week’s so I put all the interval times below. The fast interval’s were definitely more consistent and even though this meant that I had to walk part of two recovery’s, I think it was a better workout. I’m pretty sure the third interval didn’t register correctly as I was definitely not running my recovery faster as the fast part of the interval. Overall, I’m happy with my progress.
This week
1. 6:10 min/km – recovery: 8:11 min/km
2. 5:49 min/km – recovery: 8:42 min/km
3. 7:15 min/km – recovery: 7:07 min/km (?)
4. 5:31 min/km – recovery: 8:12 min/km
5. 5:24 min/km – recovery: 8:34 min/km
6. 5:23 min/km – recovery: 9:45 min/km
7. 5:28 min/km – recovery: 13:22 min/km
8. 5:29 min/km – recovery: 8:20 min/km
9. 5:30 min/km – recovery: 8:41 min/km
10.5:29 min/km – recovery: 9:39 min/km
Last week
1. 7:14 min/km – recovery: 8:32 min/km
2. 6:11 min/km – recovery: 7:48 min/km
3. 6:22 min/km – recovery: 9:19 min/km
4. 6:31 min/km – recovery: 8:04 min/km
5. 6:16 min/km – recovery: 9:05 min/km
6. 5:47 min/km – recovery: 9:47 min/km
7. 6:09 min/km – recovery: 8:33 min/km
8. 5:49 min/km – recovery: 8:38 min/km
9. 6:07 min/km – recovery: 8:04 min/km
10. 4:39 min/km – recovery: 9:19 min/km
Training 46 – Easy run
Training 47 – Run
Summary
Read how I did last week on the Garmin Coach half marathon plan or start from the beginning at week 1 of my half marathon training.
Enjoy your week off – you will feel so refreshed when you get back, and you will enjoy an extra boost- maybe the Garmin Coach also needs to rest their batteries!
Haha, I think Garmin Coach does! The legs are not getting much rest so far. Lots of walking and managed one short run so far. But, it feels good to ‘relax’ this way!
Maybe your VO2max estimate increase after the speed repeats (it tends to adjust upwards with intervall training). That would increase the confidence level. 😉
Interesting thought, but I’m not convinced the confidence level is linked to the VO2Max. My VO2Max has gone down after some runs while the confidence level is only increasing as I progress. I’m open for discussion though 🙂
Hi, thanks for your reviews! I’m also doing Amy’s half marathon program and I wonder if you have had any rest weeks during the program? I’m now on week 9 and I think it’s just too much for anyone to not have a week without four (or any) training sessions. Feels a bit unprofessional, but how do you think? I have paused the program a couple of times to get a real rest, but I’m not sure if every Garmin-user recognizes his/her tiredness on time.
Hi M! From what I gathered from the Facebook community I think Coach Greg does have lower mileage weeks in his plan. I really can’t speak from experience as I’ve messed around with the plan so much all logic is out the window. I agree there should be some rest periods in the plan especially for the longer plans.
Hi. You seem to know a lot about Garmin coach. Hopefully you can help me with a question. I don’t understand my stride/interval workout. It goes like this:
1. Warm up (15 min)
2. Other, push lap button.
3. Run 30 sek, 45 sek rear. spm 150-200. X10 times.
4. Cool Down.
I don’t understand step 2, other – push lap button. What should I do before I push the lap button? It must be something, other wise it would just jump straight to step 3?
Would really appreciate some help!
Hi Lenny! The only thing you need to do between the warm-up and your first interval is get ready to go. Make sure there are no traffic lights or other slowing factors in your way and then go. That’s it!