Do I need to follow a training plan if I'm just running for my own enjoyment? (Read 1900 times)

If it works for you and you're getting everything you want out of it, why change?  If you work up to it slowly enough to avoid injury,  I don't see a problem with that schedule.

But you are on a training plan.  It's the get out and run, sometimes farther, occasionally faster plan. I used the same plan, except without the bicycling, to run four marathons so far.  Looking at your log, you could go out and race a half marathon right now. 

Have fun.  Enjoy. 

There's no need to change anything if you're looking for fitness and you're not getting so bored that you stop. If all of your runs are joyful, well, I'll admit to being a little jealous. 

Personally, I need goals, even if they're modest, pointless and/or flat-out stupid. The thing about goals (and why my point is germane to your question) is that they guide my training, for example I signed up to run a trail ultra so I discovered long trail runs and back-to-back long runs, or I wanted to race local 5K and 10Ks and played around with short, fast track repeats. The variety has certainly made running a lot more interesting and fun for me.

Just to throw out a few ideas:

1) trail running - a great way to see some beautiful places, hey why hike when you can run?

2) fun runs - I always get a kick out of people who are so excited to be running X miles for the first time

3) local races - what a blast to have a friendly rivalry with other people in your age group!

4) yearly mileage goals - dumb for so many reasons, but sometimes, say when it's freakin' HOT out there, it keeps me stupidly trudging on going

5) time goals - nice round numbers are as good as any, lots of people like to try to qualify for the Boston marathon

6) running marathons in all 50 states- travel and meet up with long-lost friends!

7) running X marathons in a Y time period - get more stars on the Marathon Maniacs site!

I'm sure there are many others that people have dreamed up. It's all about what sounds fun. Then you can figure out your workout schedule.

You don't need a training plan.

BUT I think it's a good idea to know the basics of what training plans look like and how/why they work. This helps you avoid mistakes in running, especially injuries if you increase the training load.

For example, most training programs have a variety of run types and run lengths through the week. There's two reasons for this:

1. Different types of runs work on various physiological properties. This isn't important if you are just running for fun.

2. Variable runs are both mentally and physically less straining than repeating the same thing over and over. Running 4x10 miles could be overtraining for a person who could easily tolerate 5+8+12+15 miles, also a 40 mile total.

If your current running pattern is fun and causes no trouble, you don't need to worry about all this stuff. But if you want to increase the work load, it is a good idea to know the guidelines ... you can always ignore them if you want to

Just run, baby.

Well you all have given me some things to consider, and I appreciate everyone's input. I think I'll probably be better off spreading my goal of running 30 miles a week over a four, or five day period, instead of trying to run 10 miles every other day during the week.   Having some sort of goal is a good idea, so I'll shoot for a weekly mileage goal of 30 miles running & 60 -75 miles a week on the bike.  I think that those are obtainable goals, now I just need to decide how to spread out my running & cycling mileage from Monday - Saturday.  Thanks everyone!

Just run, baby.

 +4

just do it! and of course enjoy it!