Do I have to run every run in the plan?

Training plans are powerful tools—but they’re guides, not laws. One of the most important lessons for any runner is this: you don’t have to run every single run on your training plan to succeed

Training Plans Are Built with Flexibility in Mind

Most plans are designed with some margin for missed runs. Life happens—fatigue, work, illness, family and missing a run here or there won’t derail your progress. In fact, trying to force every run can do more harm than good.

Consistency > Perfection

Success in training doesn’t come from hitting 100% of the runs; it comes from staying consistent over weeks and months. Missing a run to let your body recover or to avoid injury is often the smarter, more disciplined choice.

Listening to Your Body is Smart Training

Skipping a run when you’re overly sore, mentally drained, or fighting off a cold isn’t laziness—it’s smart. It shows you understand that adaptation happens during recovery, not during the run itself.

The Bottom Line

A missed run is not a missed opportunity—it's often a preserved one. Respect the plan, but don’t fear deviation. Your body, not the calendar, is your ultimate coach.