📍 Why follow a structured training plan?
Whether you're preparing for a 10 km, an ultra-trail, or a triathlon, endurance is at the heart of your effort. But to progress without getting injured and to achieve your goals, simply accumulating kilometers is not enough. A structured training plan allows you to:
- ✅ Improve your endurance and speed
- ✅ Prevent injuries and excessive fatigue
- ✅ Better manage effort and optimize your recovery
- ✅ Avoid monotony and stay motivated
📅 What weekly organization should I adopt?
The number of sessions and their content depend on your **level**, your **goal**, and the time you have available. The key is **consistency**, not accumulation. Here are some benchmarks to guide you:
- **Beginner:** 2 to 3 sessions per week (fundamental endurance, quality session, strength training).
- **Intermediate level:** 3 to 5 sessions per week, including specific sessions and strength training.
- **Advanced level:** 5 to 7 sessions or more, with an emphasis on training load, progression cycles, and recovery.
A good training plan adapts to your life, not the other way around. 4 well-planned sessions are better than 7 poorly distributed ones.
🔁 The main principles for effective progression
Whatever your sport, a good training plan is based on simple but essential principles:
- 📈 **Progressiveness:** gradually increase the workload (volume or intensity) from one week to the next.
- ⚖️ **Balance:** alternate intense sessions with easier sessions to promote recovery.
- 🔬 **Specificity:** work on the qualities specific to your goal (race pace, hill work, flat speed, etc.).
- 💪 **Strength training:** one to two sessions of core work and general physical preparation per week are essential to prevent injuries and improve the efficiency of your stride.
📏 Adapting training according to your discipline and distance
Although the principles are universal, each sport and each distance has its own specifics:
🏃 Running & Trail Running
Training is generally based on three types of sessions:
- **Long runs:** to develop your fundamental endurance.
- **Quality sessions:** working at your race pace, intervals, threshold work.
- **Strength training:** GPP, core work to strengthen the body and improve your posture.
In **trail running**, add specific work on ascents/descents and the use of poles.
🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃 Triathlon
Triathlon requires a unique approach to combine the three disciplines:
- **Cross-training:** alternate sports during the week to avoid monotony and the risk of injury.
- **Combined sessions:** "brick sessions" (cycling followed by running) are essential to accustom your body to the transition.
- **Technique:** swimming and cycling technique are just as important as training volume.
📊 Training plans adapted to all profiles
There are many ready-to-use training plans, designed according to your level and constraints. A good plan offers you structure and follow-up. On our platform, you can find:
- 📅 Detailed **weekly plans** with specific sessions
- 🎯 **Progressive goals** to improve your endurance, speed, and strength
- 📘 **Related advice** on nutrition, mental preparation, and recovery