How many of you strictly follow a training plan, and how many of you deviate from it when life gets in the way? I've been trying to stick to a 16-week half marathon plan, but I've already had to skip a few runs due to work and social commitments. Is it better to push through and risk burnout, or listen to your body and adjust the plan as needed? Do you find that having a structured plan helps you stay motivated, or does it add more stress to your running?
I'm a beginner, so I need a plan to stay on track, but I also think it's important to be flexible. Life happens, and it's better to adjust the plan than to risk injury or burnout. I'd rather have a consistent 3-4 runs a week than push through and end up taking a month off.