Hi folks,
I've been running for 15 years (I'm now 34) and have done interval workouts, long runs, etc but have never actually raced. The fastest time I've recorded for a 5k is 21:30 on a track a year ago. The only other thing I've run timed (as opposed to doing intervals) is a 400m in 1:06 seconds this past December (I am female). For the most part, I've been running just for the pure love of it and because it gives me an opportunity to explore. So doing speed work and long runs have primarily been for the purpose of being able to explore more territory. However, I am signed up for my first race (a 25k trail race) and I'm finding that my competitive streak (I played pretty high level sports growing up and in college) is kicking in once again and I'd like to maybe do a little more racing next year (spring and fall).
I am considering two different options to help me train more effectively (I don't have the time to read and design my own program with periodization etc). 1. There is a good masters track club where I live in Toronto (The University of Toronto Track Club) with some top level masters runners. They do interval workouts Mondays and Thursdays and then give a program for the rest of the days of the week. 2. The second option is to get a customized training plan from Greg McMillan. The advantage of the former, I imagine, would be that I'd have individuals who would push me and I'd have a 'running community' around me. The advantage of the latter is that the program could be a little more customized to my own goals. It also allows me to run first thing in the morning which is when I prefer to run (whereas the masters club trains in the evenings twice a week).
Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts, experience or advice as to whether one option generally seems to or has worked more successfully than the other? Thanks.