This question came up during the discussion amongst the Pacers as we gathered at the Big Apple after our run today.
The quick answer is yes, I believe it is. I am an experiment of one but when I look back at what I have accomplished, the answer is yes.
I ran a four day per week schedule, sometimes five, sometimes three but more often than not four days for most of the year. I already had incorporated the three major elements of the FIRST Plan in the our days: the long run, the tempo run, and track(pace) work. To drop from four to three days, I took out the other tempo run and used that day for walking.
I have been officially on the FIRST Plan since the beginning of September and have recorded two PR's in that time. The Crackerbarrel 5K at 22:13 and then last week's muddy Mayor's Cup (where in better conditions the Crackerbarrel 5K time would have been in jeopardy).
It has been only two months so it is still very early to attribute all the progress strictly to the FIRST Plan. But I think the rest portion is significant. For the Pacers, this would be one key element to help avoid the injuries that have put a few of them on the sidelines.
The key now will be accepting the plan.
Accepting that the 3 days will work.
And sticking too it.
So many folks feel the need for more days.
They do have younger legs than I do.
But they do get older each day.
Age does not discriminate in this matter.
