I've always disliked running, but here's how Gemini and Garmin made me actually enjoy it for the first time

Date:
Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:49:50 +0000

Description:
Google Gemini helped make my training more sustainable, while Garmins Forerunner 170 Music let me leave my phone at home during runs.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Ive never particularly enjoyed running, especially when training solo, but it takes the least effort for me to prepare for in the morning compared to my preferred activities cycling or badminton and its also a nice cross-training option.

After reading about my colleagues using AI to build training plans , I
thought it could be an opportunity for me to change how I feel about running, so I turned to Google Gemini and asked it to build a training plan to prepare for a major running event here in Australia, the Sydney City2Surf. My goal
was to try out a plan that could easily adapt after a setback, like an injury or illness, while balancing run training with my usual badminton sessions and bike rides within a week. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

I also wanted to see if I could stick to running for longer compared to my previous attempts, which involved either winging it running for as long as I could until I ran out of breath or following a rigid online plan. Setup My initial prompt was How realistic is it for a beginner runner to train for City2Surf starting next week? It was in late December 2025, so Gemini replied that I had plenty of time, as the event was on August 9 this year. You may like After 2 weeks with the Garmin Cirqa, I've fallen back in love with 'vibe running' My Apple Watchs daily charging habit put me off smartwatches I've been using Google Health's new AI Coach for a week here's 3 things I liked about the Fitbit Premium revamp (and 2 I really didn't)

City2Surf has a 14km route that starts from Sydney CBD and finishes at Bondi Beach, which explains the name. Its an infamously hilly route, headlined by a 2km section midway through the course with an average gradient of about 3 to 4%, or 75 to 80m in elevation.

Most beginner-friendly training plans only require 1216 weeks, the response read. Starting now puts you in an excellent position to not just survive the race, but actually enjoy it and run the majority of the course. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Heres the general overview from Gemini: Swipe to scroll horizontally

Phase

Duration

Focus

Foundation (Now March)

~12 Weeks

Focus on consistency . Aim for 23 days a week of a "Run-Walk" method (e.g., run 2 mins, walk 1 min).

Building (April June)

~12 Weeks

Increase your long run distance once a week. Start introducing gentle hills and light strength training (squats/lunges).

Race Specific (July August)

68 Weeks

Focus on endurance and Heartbreak Hill. Your longest run should reach
12km13km about two weeks before race day. To make sure I stuck to the plan, I asked Gemini how to enter the workouts into my old Garmin watch, and it gave me a step-by-step guide. (Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda) I was also offered to test the newly released Garmin Forerunner 70 and 170 range while I was training, and I chose the 170 Music edition. I wanted to see if the built-in music function and Garmin Pay wireless payments were enough for me
to leave my phone at home during training sessions. What to read next I've tried the new Google Fitbit Air and Whoop should be worried I asked ChatGPT to build me a realistic weekly workout for a 54-year-old ChatGPT and Siri AI tried to get me fit, but Id only use one of them again

Lugging my heavy iPhone 16 Pro Max in a running belt during my first few
weeks of running became annoying, so the Forerunner was just what I needed.
It also completely cuts down on distractions, and the voice prompts also helped keep me on track during interval sessions.

I managed to stick to the program for the first few months while keeping my social badminton games and bike rides. But things started to get tricky as I progressed into the second phase. (Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda) Setbacks and adjustments Heading into phase 2 of my training plan, I unexpectedly got Achilles tendonitis, which my physiotherapist told me was
the result of putting too much load too quickly on my legs and feet. Recovery took more than a month of rehab and rest.

When I was cleared to run again, I told Gemini Id missed a few weeks and
asked how I should adjust. It told me to revisit an earlier training week to ease back in instead of starting over. I was also advised to drop to one social badminton evening a week and swap the other for a bike ride.

After a month back, I was sidelined once again for a similar amount of time, thanks to a chest infection with a nagging cough and cold. (Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda) Ultimately, I felt that these setbacks were enough
for me to decide not to enter the City2Surf, even though Gemini said I still had enough time to train. I set my sights on next years event instead.

Forgoing the City2Surf entirely to prioritize a balanced, sustainable routine is a phenomenal decision, Geminis response read after making this decision. Since you haven't registered yet, dropping the pressure of a hard August 9th deadline allows you to completely shift your mindset from 'panic training' to building a strong, bulletproof foundation for the long run.

Looking back, I likely would have just quit after the first setback if I had been following a more rigid training plan. Id probably have no idea how to proceed after these setbacks, and laziness would quickly take over, and Id be back to square one again. Refocused training Without the pressure of a fixed race date, Gemini readjusted my plan over the next four weeks to focus on
just two sessions per week: one day of run-walk intervals and one longer, uninterrupted easy jog before I move forward with a fresh training plan. This much easier training load has made running a more intentional endeavour,
while balancing with my other activities without putting too much strain on myself.

Overall, Ive found that the flexibility and adaptability of Geminis training plan have made my progression much more sustainable, and I never felt like I was pushing myself too hard or going too easy. Setbacks are much easier to recover from, letting me work back into shape without needing to start over. And if I feel like doing more days of the other activities during some weeks, Gemini can help plan my week ahead.

While I ultimately failed in my original objective of joining a popular running event, I ended up enjoying the journey of becoming a better runner at a more sustainable pace. (Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda) Should you
let AI be your running coach? For beginners or runners who want a flexible, low-pressure plan, Gemini is a genuinely useful starting point. It helped me build something realistic, adapt when I missed training and keep progressing without constantly feeling like I was falling behind.

I'd argue though that it's not a substitute for proper coaching. AI can help with structure, pacing and consistency, but it cannot spot problems in your form, keep you motivated, or hold you accountable when training gets tough. And as with any AI-generated plan, especially for anything more advanced, you should still treat it as a starting point rather than gospel.

For my purposes, though, Gemini was enough to turn running from a chore into something I could actually stick with. Shopping for a new Garmin watch? Check out the latest Garmin Australia coupons here. Today's best Garmin Forerunner 170 Music deals 291.83 View 320.17 View 320.54 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices



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