It’s very easy to get caught up in the mindset that you have to hire a running coach to reach your goals. These days, it seems that everyone either is a coach or has a coach–or both. As much as people say otherwise, we all know, running can be expensive–entry fees, shoes, GPS devices, travel, and other gear can add up to thousands of dollars–and so the additional cost of a personal coach may not be feasible for you, even if you wanted one.

There are so many free training plans available these days that are challenging and effective that many recreational runners can by without spending the money on a coach. But it can be overwhelming. Where do you begin? How do you tailor a plan? Which plan is even best for you?

Here are a few ways to go about creating your own plan with the help of online resources.

Start Here

Pick a Race. Sounds easy enough, but finding a race that fits with your schedule, your current ability, and the amount of time you have to reach your goals may be tougher than it sounds. You’ll want to ensure that you have a solid base, are running consistently and have been running injury-free for several months before you start ramping up training.

Websites like Running in the USA, Race Raves, HalfMarathons.net, and RunSignUp are all great resources for finding races across the country, but don’t forget to check out local running clubs and organizations that might not necessarily advertise on these sites.

Decide the training method. Peruse the many training methods that are available, taking into account your interests, desires, ability, and available time. For example, if you would prefer to cap your long runs for a marathon at lower mileage (think 16 miles), you might want to consider the Hansons Method. If you like higher mileage long runs, some of the other plans may be better suited for you. Do some research, talk to trusted running friends, and figure out what you are most comfortable with. Here are a few free or relatively inexpensive plans you can purchase:

The Women’s Running archives also has plenty of free training plans from coaches we trust. Here are some of our favorites:

Be realistic. If you want to be successful executing your training plan, then you’ll need to be honest with yourself in choosing your ability level and goal mileage. Most of the above plans have plans for beginners, intermediate, and advanced runners. For example, if you are running 20-25 miles per week (mpw) when training begins, do not choose a plan that kicks off with 40 mpw. Or if you are comfortably running 3-4 times per week, choose one that sticks to that frequency. Don’t choose one that has six days of running.

Diving Into the Plan

Work Backwards. Mark your race on the calendar and work backwards to see when you will begin training. Put any obligations or events that may prevent you from completing an important run. This way you can plan ahead and switch things around.

Schedule 1-2 tuneup races. While not necessary, having a couple of races on the calendar during the training cycle can help dust off your racing shoes, while also serving a great test run for nutrition and gear. Many of the training plans have tuneup races included in the schedule. It just may take switching around some weeks so they align.

Determine training paces. Probably the toughest aspect of self-coaching is deciding what pace you should be running. There are a handful of charts and calculators online that provide paces for easy, recovery, long, tempo, intervals – every type of run you will encounter. The charts are based on finish times and should be based on your current fitness level, not your goal finish time. So you want to start with where you are now and spend the training cycle slowly working towards where you hope to be on race day.

The tough part is determining your current fitness level, especially if you haven’t raced in a while. To help yourself out there are a few things you can do:

1. 1. Run a time trial or sign up for a race: Either simulate a race or sign up for one, so you get an idea of your overall fitness
   2. Use a recent race time: If you’ve raced in the last couple of months, you can use that time, but if it’s much more than that, your fitness level could have changed a bit.
   3. Estimate: Start on the conservative end and estimate what you think you are capable of running.

Get Training!

Now that the plan and training paces are determined, it’s time to start training. But it’s never that easy, right? Conflicts, sickness, injury, work all come into play and can easily throw curve balls into a training plan and you may have to get creative with shifting runs and weeks around. Keep in mind:

• You typically want to avoid doing back-to-back quality workouts (think: intervals, tempo, long runs). You will need an easy (or rest) day sandwiched between those workouts.
• Increase weekly mileage by 10 percent. Again, this is generally speaking, but it’s a good rule to follow. So if you ran 30 miles last week, you want to keep this week under 33 miles.
• Slowly increase long run mileage. If you have to skip a long run, you may want to shuffle long runs around so you aren’t going from 14 to 18 miles on back-to-back weekends.

And I just couldn’t end this article without encouraging you to have fun with your training. All the logistics around training plans can seem so daunting, especially without a coach to lean on, but just know that it will be OK if your training isn’t perfect.

RELATED: These Half Marathons Need to be on Your Bucket List

How a job candidate concludes an interview could seriously play a pivotal role securing a position in an organization. More than likely, it is the final time a candidate can clearly define themselves, summarize their skills, and express enthusiasm toward potentially joining the organization. Stakes can be considerably high with a competitive field, and a job candidate must ensure every measure is taken to court a successful outcome. The conclusion of an interview can be a conflicting combination of relief and regret, as a candidate will be thankful for surviving the question filled gauntlet but may be disappointed with their resulting performance. Confidently closing an interview affords you the opportunity to perform a high level, albeit succinct reiteration of key skills, personal attributes, and talents for consideration. Here below are a few tips.

• During the close, a candidate should ask the interviewer(s) meaningful, well-thought questions. It is important to remember that the candidate should be determining if the job is a good fit for them as well. Aside from the standard fare of hours, wages, and benefits; a candidate should be inquiring about culture, training, company/department objectives, and job expectations within their first three months of employment. This level of engagement reiterates your excitement and interest regarding the position. It would also be beneficial that you are familiar with company’s vision and mission. If it is an internal department, it would behoove you to educate yourself regarding the department’s direction or any significant projects on the horizon.
• Ensure that you present a clear vision and goal for yourself. Any personal objectives should align with the organization’s mission and vision. Again, a candidate should devote the proper time reviewing the company’s website for pertinent, detailed information. It is always wise to map out objectives and goals for your career ahead of time. It demonstrates forward-thinking and illustrates a genuine interest in the company’s future.
• A candidate should clearly, succinctly rearticulate their talents and skills. It would be wise to grant thought toward adjectives that best describe you professionally and how those characteristics apply to the position you are seeking. A candidate should review the job description, identify keywords pertaining to the position, and smartly tailor their pitch to coincide with the company’s needs. Should a candidate copy words from the job description verbatim? Absolutely not. That would signal a particular level of laziness by the candidate. You should, however, review the job description and capture the spirit of any job prerequisites.
• Never underestimate the importance of extending sincere gratitude for the opportunity to interview. Ensure that you have a writing utensil and piece of paper to capture names of anyone interviewing you. And verify the correct spellings. If there are multiple individuals asking questions, don’t write the same canned response to everyone. Craft a different thank you note for anyone involved in the interview process. This process may be considered old school, but what it reflects that you are serious about the opportunity. E-mail can work, but I suggest you make a trip to Target and purchase some blank thank you cards. After the interview, find a location to write your thank you cards and drop them off at the front desk – same day. If your interview was already tight; this extra measure can leave an indelible mark in their memory and separate you from the pack.

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If you find yourself wondering about the differences between an application developer and a software developer, you’re not alone.

Before diving into the specific jargon that software and application developers utilize, we’ll first simplify it in everyday language. It’s important to read this article carefully for a clear understanding.

Applications Developer

An application developer’s responsibilities typically include coding, managing applications, design, debugging, keeping up with updates, monitoring security risks, and providing support to end-users. They often play a pivotal role in spearheading projects during the creation of new applications.

As an applications developer, you’ll convert software requirements into functional programming code and continue to develop applications for use.

You’re likely to specialize in a specific development field, such as mobile applications, financial software, office suites, or graphic design programs. Mastery of at least one programming language is a standard requirement.

Software Developer

Often referred to as a computer programmer, a software developer, or more casually as a coder, these professionals are tasked with creating computer software.

The role of an application developer is distinct from that of a software design developer. Typically, this developer focuses on system software, which is essential for running a computer. The applications, supported by the system software, are the main interface for users.

Is Application Development Exclusive to Mobile Devices?

The term “app development” typically brings to mind mobile apps, and this isn’t a misconception. This process involves designing, testing, constructing, and ultimately launching an application aimed at fulfilling the needs of a diverse user base, known as application development.

However, application development is not limited to mobile smartphone apps. It also includes the creation of applications for other types of computer-based electronic devices, such as in-car navigation systems.

Distinguishing Web Developers from Application Developers

Software development solutions cover a broad spectrum of tasks, roles, operations, and designs, whereas an application (whether for computers or smartphones) usually encompasses a single or a few functions. Nonetheless, its development involves extensive research leading to its concept.

You might wonder, “What about software engineers?” Software engineering, also referred to as software programming, involves writing code to create a computer program.

Every software programmer should excel in writing code, designing algorithms, and conducting tests to ensure all programs are functional and free from errors. Software programmers may choose to modify the software as it develops, including adding documentation to the code itself.

Differences and Similarities Between Application Development and Software Programming

Both fields require individuals to have:

• High-level programming and technical knowledge
• Quick problem-solving skills and creativity
• Logical and analytical thinking
• Proficiency in mathematics and numbers
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Attention to detail

Application developers may also focus on design, user experience, and other related aspects.

Distinction Between Application and Software Developers

Often, the articles discussing this topic aren’t written by actual software developers, leading to a lot of misinformation that should be clarified. Hearing directly from a developer would be ideal. Therefore, following are genuine perspectives from a developer.

Professionally, software engineering involves the entire process of software development. It considers the entire lifecycle, beyond just coding.

Conversely, software development tends to focus more on the coding aspect. It’s more intricate, with a lighter emphasis on the details of the technical process. Yet, it’s also a broad term. It includes a variety of roles. Notably, it can encompass non-coding roles such as business analysts and testers.

On the other hand, application development is more focused. It zeroes in on programs with graphical interfaces. This encompasses a range from Windows to web forms and web design and development.

They have their unique areas of expertise, like:

• WPF
• Grails
• Swing
• NET
• Angular, etc.

Moreover, the term “App Developer” is commonly associated with creating applications for smart devices. This terminology is currently widespread, but as the lines between apps and applications become less distinct, this might change in the future.