Barry, a 58-year-old defence and space security professional from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, knows a thing or two about perseverance. After two failed attempts at breaking the 1-hour barrier at the 10km distance, he was starting to doubt both his ability and training apps. But then, he discovered TrainAsONE, the AI-powered training platform that changed everything.
Couch Potato to Determined Runner
Barry’s journey began nearly two years ago, fuelled by a desire to regain his fitness after leaving the military and being sedentary during the COVID-19 pandemic. He started with Couch to 5k, which he accelerated through and completed first time.
He was feeling great and decided that his next goal should be to tackle a 10 km race. For this he selected the Gateshead 10km, and armed with a sub-60 minute training plan downloaded from the Internet began his training. Following a good block of training, come race day his confidence was high, but while he finished in a respectably time of 1 hour and 20 seconds, the sub 60-had eluded him.
Not to be outdone, Barry was determined not to be beaten and was keen to have another attempt. At this point he read an article in a major running magazine reviewing running and training apps. One stood out – developed by a team of running coaches and apparently using AI to tailor its plans for the individual. Surely he’d be on to a winner here.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Barry signed up to this very popular app and began his training in earnest. The fancy user interface and motivational messages were initially welcoming but became a little tiresome and demonstrated a lack of specificity to him. The plan was high on mileage, but if that was what was needed to break the 60 minute barrier, he was game. However, on the lead up to race day he began to get sore knees, but with a little extra unplanned rest was able to keep things at bay in order to rock up to the start line and have his second sub-60 attempt. However, despite all the miles he had put into training and the re-assurances of how productive his training was, race day did not realise his dream. He finished slower than his previous attempt (using a static plan) and still 50 seconds off his goal!
At this point, Barry naturally questioned how a high-mileage plan developed by running coaches and apparently mixed with AI had not been fruitful. His conclusion: more research into training practices and running science was needed. Something more personal. And he needed to do it fast, as he had already signed up to the inaugural quayside Newcastle 10K, only a few months away.
A New Hope – Discovering TrainAsONE
However, before any in-depth research into training science got underway, Barry stumbled across TrainAsONE – which appeared very different. Intrigued by its pure data-led approach, focus on injury prevention, and rave reviews by real users in discussion forums, Barry embarked on his third sub-60 mission. What he found was a revelation.
“The first thing I noticed was the shorter, slower runs,” says Barry. “It was a big adjustment, but after the previous app’s mileage madness, it was quite welcoming. I still had initial doubts, but I decided to trust the process.”
The trust paid off. Barry embraced the variety of workouts. And the optional assessment runs, though not his favourite, provided valuable feedback and allowed him to track his progress. As the weeks flew by, Barry’s confidence grew – in himself and the app. His TrainAsONE Fit Scores and race prediction fluctuated, but the overall trend was undeniable: he was getting fitter and faster.
Come race day, Barry was feeling strong and optimistic. He managed a steady and consistent start amongst the crowd, and reached the 5km halfway point just ahead of target. However between kilometres 6 and 7 he started to slow, and doubts began to creep into his mind. But then, something clicked. “At 8.5km, I realized I was still on track for sub-60! That gave me a massive second wind,” he exclaims.
The final mile was pure elation. Barry crossed the finish line in a stunning 57:47, shattering his goal by over two minutes. “The sense of achievement was overwhelming.”
“It was all TrainAsONE,” Barry declares. “The personal plan, the focus on pacing and the mix of workouts. The science behind it – it all came together perfectly.”
To Infinity and Beyond
But Barry’s story doesn’t end there. He’s already signed up for three more 10kms this year, fuelled by an unwavering desire to chip away at his times.
And he has designs on the half-marathon distance too – all supported by his trusty AI coach, TrainAsONE. “But that can wait till next year”, he says.
Barry’s Message
“TrainAsONE isn’t just for beginners. It’s for anyone who wants a safe, effective, and truly personal training plan. Trust the science, embrace the short runs, and witness your potential becoming unleashed!”
Barry’s story is an inspiration to runners of all ages and abilities. It’s a testament to the power of personal training, data-driven insights, and the unwavering belief in oneself. So, whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, take a page from Barry’s book and give TrainAsONE a try. You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
Sign up today and experience the difference!
