Trait warns that my goal is unrealistic – what does that mean and what should I do?

When you set your goal, Trait checks how big the gap is between your current level and the goal – and whether the available time is enough to bridge it.

Why the warning appears

Your plan is planned backwards from the race. An example: for a marathon in three months, you need sessions of 20–30 km one month before, 10–15 km two months before, and already 10–12 km three months before. So someone who can't yet run 5 km in one go would immediately get sessions that, by their own account, they can't manage yet.

There's no good solution in a case like this: either you train appropriately and don't reach the goal – or you overload yourself from the very start. Trait doesn't forbid the goal, but it tells you honestly that it won't work out this way.

What we recommend

• Choose a more realistic goal: e.g. allow more lead time or pick a shorter distance.
• Set an intermediate goal: for very big jumps (e.g. from under 5 km to a marathon), an intermediate goal makes sense – say, 10 km in four months first. After that, you create the next plan towards your main goal. Read more under Multiple races and intermediate goals.

Time frame: Plans spanning more than a year are generally not supported. Here too, intermediate goals are the way to go.

Tip: Be honest when choosing your level. Choosing a level that's too high bypasses the warning, but leads to sessions that overwhelm you.