Do You Stick to Your Training Plan?

Since I follow a triathlon plan, 95% of the time I follow the plan exactly.  I go by time on the run and bike, and distance for the swim....

Just because you CAN go more, doesn't mean you should.

Think of it this way.  Training is like building blocks.  Sure you could double the distance one day because you feel good, but what does that do to your NEXT workout?  Will you be too tired to do it effectively?  Or, if your tired for the next one, and you push it, could you rick over training or injury?

A plan, if well designed, will have you stress the body at the right times, AND allows you to recover.

If you find that the plan is too easy every day, then maybe you have the wrong plan.

With reguards to your last question, I think it's always wiser to do LESS if you don't feel up to it than more.  But most of the time, I don't practice what I preach.  I usually hit the time right on, but if I'm going to deviate, it's usually just a couple minutes longer.  However, if I'm in pain or not feeling right, I will stop short if I think I could be risking injury or my health.

I guess the question is what results do you expect and why do you expect the plan to not get you those results? 

I (more or less, mostly less) followed a HIM plan from BT for my 2006 HIM.  I finished in 6:18 (18 minutes over my goal).  Would I have hit my goal if I'd followed the plan more closely?  Maybe...  I didn't do as many long workouts and I did *zero* speed workouts (usually opting for plodding along rather than running intervals).  In a few cases, I went longer than the plan, but not without looking to see what training was coming up too. 

Right now, I'm (more or less, again mostly less) following a maintenance plan from BT.  I'll start the IM training plan from BT in February and my hope is to be much more diligent about following the plan.  (Getting in long runs/rides, as well as tempo and interval workouts, not just plodding along. )  I doubt I'll go longer than the plan as it'll be consistently 10-12 hours per week and that alone will be a huge challenge. 

I usually have great intentions but the truth is I just don't.

Does it hinder me? Absolutely at times

Do I end up having some great workouts or entering races I have no business messing with? Absolutely again.

For me there is a fine line.  (this year is an exception because my training has been crap all year so we are trying to forget about this year)  I aspire to follow a plan or a coach's advice but the free spirit side of me just goes crazy. Thus the reason i am running a marathon this weekend only 5 weeks out from my IM. Not a good idea but I just want to do it.

I think you should do both; follow the plan as much as possible as most likely it was structured in certain way. OTOH I don't see why not do a bit more or harder when you ar feeling good and back off when you are not feeling so good. Generic plans were not designed for your specific needs and you have to be flexible enough address your own needs. If you feel you can do a bit more and still do your training the next day, go ahead!