Generic running plans are not automatically bad. In fact, for many runners, they are affordable, accessible, and much better than making things up week by week. But the problem is that a generic plan does not know your injury history, your sleep, your training load tolerance, your work schedule, or how your body is responding.

In this episode of Distance Dr Daily, I explain how to make a generic running plan work better for you.

We talk about why individualised coaching is usually the gold standard, but also why generic programs can still be useful when you adjust them properly. I cover the two biggest things runners need to modify: their expectations and the program itself.

I also explain how I would think about adjusting a plan if you have a history of bone stress injury, Achilles tendinopathy, recent injury, poor sleep, or limited training time.

The goal is not to throw away your generic plan. It is to stop following it blindly and start making it fit the runner in front of it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why individualised programs often outperform generic ones
• Why generic running plans can still be useful
• How to adjust your expectations when using a pre-set plan
• What to change if you have a history of bone stress injury
• How to modify speed, hills, and sprint sessions with Achilles tendinopathy
• Why strength and rehab work need to be prioritised
• How to choose the most important sessions when time is limited