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Whether you are a running newbie, or a seasoned veteran, if you have a distance event in your calendar, the chances are you are going to want to follow a training program to set you up for success.

There are lots of different ways of going about this. A quick Google search will turn up any number of options. For example, “training program for 50k ultra” brought up the plan for the 50k event at The Guzzler, devised by coach Meagan Brown.

If you’re running on the trails, it makes sense to go for an event-specific program because the courses are so different. But I’m training for the Sydney Marathon and while every marathon course has subtle differences, at the end of the day they are all about 42.2k on the road, so any decent program will work for any race.

Of course, finding and printing out a program is one thing but sticking to it is the real challenge. And that’s where running apps can help. I’ve run five marathons but in the lead-up to Sydney I’ll be using a program on an app for the first time. Again, there are any number of these to choose from, but I’ve gone for Nike Run Club (NRC).

Between now and race day, 31 August, I’m going to walk you through the experience so if you go down the same road (see what I did there 🤣), you’ll know what to expect.

So what does the app do?

The NRC marathon plan is an 18-week program, but you can drop into the program at anytime during that 18 weeks. I started at the beginning of June, 13 weeks out from race day. The program consists of speed runs, recovery runs, long runs and rest days.

Each day it sets out what you should do, but the beauty of programs like this is that you can adjust to fit your training around the rest of your life. But if you do need to sacrifice runs to satisfy the needs of secondary considerations like family or work, NRC recommends dropping recovery runs rather than speed or long runs.

That’s all very useful, but what really makes apps like this so effective is the fact the runs come with guided audio from a running coach and cheerleader. And anyone who has used the NRC app will know the coach and cheerleader in chief is Chris Bennett, Nike Running’s Global Head Coach.

If you choose the guided audio version of the runs (they are also available without audio), you will be treated to Coach Bennett and a range of guests offering you tips, wisdom and motivation.

The coach looks a bit like Ted Lasso in a Nike running hat, and has the same sort of line in homespun wisdom, things like: “A goal is not made great by you achieving it. A goal is made great by what you’ve done to try and achieve it.”

Now, fair warning, if you go to an online audio dictionary and search for “schmaltz”, you’ll probably get some of Coach Bennett’s exhortations as the definition. I’m only seven runs in and already he’s told me I’m “badass” for running 10 miles (16k) and that by running 10 miles I’ve passed the baton of inspiration on to others in the global running community which will be handy if I’m ever in need of inspiration in future, because that baton will come right back around to me.

I fully appreciate this sort of syrupy, very American, motivational speak is not everyone’s cup of tea. But for me it’s been quite effective. It really does help to have someone telling you how great you’re going when you actually feel like turning around and going home. Especially when you are pushing into one of Brisbane’s famously brisk westerly winds.

Coach Bennett and friends also offer useful coaching points. And they’ve made me squeeze more out of my workouts than I would have achieved on my own. For example, towards the end of that badass 10 miles, Coach Bennett had me running fartleks - speeding up for 250m-400m at a time to get my body used to running at a faster pace on tired legs.

There’s no way I’d have done that without Coach Bennett urging me on. And at the end of the run it felt great to have achieved that, a real confidence booster. So I think of Coach Bennett being a bit like sticky toffee pudding - under the syrup there’s substance worth getting your teeth into.

Next week I’ll be about three weeks into my program and I’ll report back on how effective I’m finding the different runs and how easy it is to merge the program with my other life commitments.

Just quickly…

A couple of quick updates … the rescheduled Yandina Five-0 event is on this weekend. The event was postponed back in March after the course was not so much waterlogged as virtually washed away by the rain that accompanied Cyclone Alfred.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for organisers Run Queensland, because they’d prepared everything including marking the course. You can read about what it means to postpone an event so close to race day in this post from April.

Here’s wishing Brett Standring and his team the best of luck this weekend in what look like being cold but sunny and dry conditions.

And one more thing… At the end of May I previewed the Western States 100, one of the biggest races on the ultra trail running calendar, by looking at the race’s quirky history and the hot field assembling for the men’s race this year.

Unfortunately four time champion and current course record holder Jim Walmsley has had to withdraw from the race, which means we won’t get to see the showdown between him and the other contender for Greatest of All Time status among the male trail runners, Kilian Jornet.

Upcoming Events

There are way too many events for me to list everything that’s happening around the country, but here is a selection of upcoming races (with a bias towards South East Queensland).

The Running Calendar website is a great source if you want a comprehensive understanding of what’s available around Australia.