Individual training or fixed target time – which plan type should I choose?

When you create your plan, you decide how it fundamentally works. There are two types:

1. Individual training

• Trait plans what's appropriate for you based on where you are today.
• The plan is dynamic: after your runs, Trait suggests pace adjustments, and you can use the training mode (Light, Base, All-In) to control how much you want to do in a given week.
• The result on race day is open – Trait shows you a forecast in the form of a range, not a target time.

2. Fixed target time (e.g. “marathon in 4:00 h”)

• The target time determines which sessions and, above all, which paces you need to run at which point. All paces are derived backwards from the target time and are already fixed for every week.
• The plan is therefore largely static: the dynamic pace suggestions after training and the Light/Base/All-In training mode aren't available here. After all, you've committed yourself to achieving this time – and that requires certain sessions to be run as prescribed.

Our recommendation: If you want to be flexible with your training load (e.g. train “light” during a stressful week at work), individual training is the right choice. You then need to accept that the achievable time remains open.

The paces for a fixed target time don't suit me? This is usually because the target time is too ambitious for where you are today. In that case, a new plan with a more realistic target time – or switching to individual training – will help. Both work via a new plan – free and as often as you like.