training plan advice - new here :)
snarky
Posts: 262 Member
Hey everyone!
I just was kickin' around on http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/ and checking out their beginning programs. Anyone have experience with this program?
I am looking at an 18 week program for a Sprint - with training equal across sports. I have a base built up in running already, but I am starting at close to zero in biking and swimming. I was thinking about adjusting the training in the running to fit my current level - keeping the spirit of the training just bumping up the numbers a bit (starting at 4 miles rather than 1.5)
Any thoughts? Better suggestions?
I just was kickin' around on http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/ and checking out their beginning programs. Anyone have experience with this program?
I am looking at an 18 week program for a Sprint - with training equal across sports. I have a base built up in running already, but I am starting at close to zero in biking and swimming. I was thinking about adjusting the training in the running to fit my current level - keeping the spirit of the training just bumping up the numbers a bit (starting at 4 miles rather than 1.5)
Any thoughts? Better suggestions?
0
Replies
-
My training for my first 3 half-Ironmans was structured around there free and purchased plans. I recommend putting down the money and printing off any number of there plans. They are great references for you and friends.0
-
I have no experience with training programs, but eep!! I didn't know you were doing a tri! I'm so excited for you
0 -
Maddy, how did you do it without a training plan? oh wait, I forgot you're bada$$ 0
-
Thanks Drudoo! It seems like a really good site. A little overwhelming at first tho'. I tend to think that anything new and worth pursuing usually is, so it must be the right place.0
-
This summer I did 4 sprints, 1 international, and 1 "sprinternational" (distance in between sprint and international) and didn't use a plan. Several times I tried to, but none really fit for me. I talked to several people I know who do triathlons, and they all suggested just doing all three sports and doing bricks. The best piece of advice I got was to ALWAYS run after a bike ride. I try to run each time I bike, though sometimes that is literally just a one mile loop around my house. Just that effort really helped me with teaching my body to move from bike to run more often. For me, I am weakest in the bike. Right now I am training for a 70.3, so I am trying to bike more. I find that a challenge since it is getting cold, but it is my goal. I am not really following a plan, but again, I try to get in enough of all three. Most weeks I swim before work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I run on Monday, Wed, and Friday after work (Wednesday with a group). I bike on Tuesday and Thursday and sometimes through in weights or a class at the gym. Saturday is my long run day (with my marathon training group). Sunday is my long bike day. It's not a plan, but it is working for me. Just my 2 cents!0
-
Thanks Vtate!
I like the idea of always adding a mile after the bike ride, regardless of what plan I am doing. I was interested in following a plan mostly because there is a disconnect between what I think I can do and what my body can actually do. and I don't want to hurt myself. I found that the C25K program helped me through this issue with running. I was looking for something similar until I figure out what I am doing.
Good luck on your 70.3!0 -
BT's free plans are great if you goal is to complete the race. If you're looking to compete look at their paid plans or the plans for sale at Training Peaks.0
-
oooh! great advice Scott. I will file that away for the NEXT race. This one I suspect finishing will be enough of a challenge.0
-
Next stop: COACH!0
-
Next stop: COACH!
Best decision I ever made.0 -
Next stop: COACH!
Best decision I ever made.
That I want!!!...but cannot afford.
0 -
There are some great books out there that I used my first tri. Slow fat triathlete and your first triathlon. I combined plans and then after four weeks was so bored that I just started doing my own thing. I was new to cycling so I rod three times a week and one of those was the distance. I grew up swimming and no fear of open water so I just logged some lap time in the pool the first timeand the second one I would just go to the lake and by week three was swimming the distance and just worked on form which brought up my speed. It's weird not really kicking. I generally rode after a swim because I was out at the course so. My run is so damn slow so I'll work on that this year. Best part was the weight program I found free online called 12 weight training exercises for triathletes. I really feel that helped a ton this past one. Best of luck and welcome to this crazy addicting world called triathlon 0
-
Next stop: COACH!
Best decision I ever made.
That I want!!!...but cannot afford.
Mine is good and free. Yes I know how lucky I am.0 -
Thanks everyone! Very helpful tips. Not sure about a coach just yet. Do you think it would be helpful even if my goal is really just finishing and not being awesome... well, finishing would be awesome for me so strike THAT part, but do you know what I mean?0
-
You can finish without a coach I've done two without and got faster. Just do it and feel free to friend. I'm going to do three next season.0
-
Besides technical knowledge, besides accountability, besides MPOO (the motivating presence of others), coaches let you not think about all the kind of things you are thinking about now.Thanks everyone! Very helpful tips. Not sure about a coach just yet. Do you think it would be helpful even if my goal is really just finishing and not being awesome... well, finishing would be awesome for me so strike THAT part, but do you know what I mean?
Get a coach then try and be 100% compliant with his or her workouts. The most I have had to think was recently when coach wanted to know what events were a priority for next year.0 -
Besides technical knowledge, besides accountability, besides MPOO (the motivating presence of others), coaches let you not think about all the kind of things you are thinking about now.Thanks everyone! Very helpful tips. Not sure about a coach just yet. Do you think it would be helpful even if my goal is really just finishing and not being awesome... well, finishing would be awesome for me so strike THAT part, but do you know what I mean?
Get a coach then try and be 100% compliant with his or her workouts. The most I have had to think was recently when coach wanted to know what events were a priority for next year.
I think the coach thing all depends on your financial situation. My husband and I are both teachers and we have four kids, so the finances do not allow for a coach...they barely allow for a bike and gym membership! If you have the money, I am sure a coach is wonderful, but triathlons are expensive in general, so if you do not, don't stress it.0 -
I think that I would love a coach. I respond well to "peer pressure." I am certain that it would help my performance as well as help me through the confusion of figuring out what I am doing. Unfortunately, finances are a little tight right now, so it is not an immediate option. :frown:
I appreciate the input, tho' Thanks!
I love that term "motivating presence of others"0 -
I think that I would love a coach. I respond well to "peer pressure." I am certain that it would help my performance as well as help me through the confusion of figuring out what I am doing. Unfortunately, finances are a little tight right now, so it is not an immediate option. :frown:
I appreciate the input, tho' Thanks!
I love that term "motivating presence of others"
In that case is there a local tri club you can join? I joined one about a year ago and it's where I found the core group of folks I train with.0 -
Thanks for the tip. I just found a MEETUP group that is forming in the next town over. They have a run scheduled at the beginning of January. Looks like there are quite a few people with previous races in the group. It should help. THANK YOU!!!0
-
Late arrival to the conversation but I will say that Beginner Triathlete has great plans of the free and paid variety. However, for both my Sprint and Olympic I just winged it. Worked for me as I was pretty busy and it was difficult to nail down what I might do from one day to the next. When I moved to long course I had to get a plan. Way to much can go wrong without some sort of plan and I am sure I would not have finished without it.
If you are already a runner and just want to test the waters I would just go in with a plan of practicing each discipline 3 times per week. Keeping it simple for now will probably lower stress and allow you flexibility to just do what you want on a given day. Rest 1 day between each to recover a bit and that's should get you from the starting line to the finish.
Monday: Off
Tues: Run + Swim (Brick)
Weds: Bike or Spin Class if inclement weather prevents riding outside
Thurs: Run + Swim (Brick)
Weds: Bike or Spin
Friday: Off
Sat: Bike + Run (Brick)
Sun: Swim
Use the weekends to find local groups to run or bike with.0 -
BT free plans are very helpful to get you started. They will give you minutes only, no specific directions. So if you just want to finish a race it will certainly help. Their free plans are very simple, they simply add 10% volume each week for 2 or 3 weeks then give you a rest week then restart the building process and cycle like that until you taper a week before the race. I found it very helpful and it did all the math for me. Do this: play around with the time and distances when you are setting up the "race" portion so that when it calculates your training plan the first week is easy for you to acheive. This may take several times to get it just right. Put in the number of workouts each week and presto you have an 18 week basic plan ready to go... now all you have to do is get your but to the gym each day and do it!!! Worked for me! Good Luck!0
-
batlou: thanks for your weekly breakdown. I was wondering about your brick workouts. I noticed that you put running and swimming together. I read somewhere that that is a good combination, because the muscle group variation. But intuitively, I know that biking and running come after one another and you need to be prepared for that - like vtate mentions she always runs after biking. I guess what I am wondering if the order and coupling of the brick matters.
billydlyon: I hadn't thought about gaming their system to do the math for me. I like that idea a lot. Thanks!0 -
I did my first sprint tri last summer and did not use a plan. I'm doing it again next summer along with couple other tri's. I just mixed up my workouts everyday. One night a week I would swim 2 miles. Then I'd throw in a couple nights of step aerobics, spinning classes and strength classes. I'd always run from my condo to/from the gym, which was about a mile. Did that for about 3 months before the race. I felt pretty strong and ready. Good luck! Have fun! And don't be afraid to push it during all three events!
Oh one thing I would suggest. Go drive the course so you know what to expect. I didn't and wish I would have. I would have pushed it harder in the bike and run, but I was nervous I might still have a big hill coming up. I beat the personal time I set for myselft, but know I could have done better. Oh well...I'll kick that courses *kitten* this next summer
0 -
Thanks Stephanie:
Yes checking out the course is definitely on my to do list. Probably sooner rather than later. There are a couple of hills on the course and I want to find similar slopes around here to practice on.
so many different factors are going into this (swimming with people, biking around other, wetsuits, really cold water, hills, racing in sport I never have done before) my brain is going to explode 0 -
Many races make available an elevation profile for both the bike and run routes. Try and find those if you do not get out to see the course. That may be more beneficial because you can see the length of the hill and its elevation change.
I personally have never drove a course before hand but I always feel prepared for what's ahead.
Do what makes YOU comfortable and ready.0 -
hi there! I love BT.com!!!! I completed my first triathlon last June and I am just starting to get active on there again (ktbollman). I just joined a mentor group yesterday and my "time to get serious training" starts Jan 1 LOL! did the free 22-week sprint training plan they have on the website. The format did NOT work for me so I took the time and tweaked it and put it in calendar form in excel so I can easily see what I had to train for that day. Let me know if you want me to e-mail you It worked for me...when I stayed on track!
I'm going to send you a friend request on here 0 -
My hubby and I bought The Complete Idiot's Guide to Triathlon Training. It gave good guidelines, with a plan in the back. But, at this point, I kinda follow a compilation of plans that will work for me for each race (whether tri or only run or swim or bike). I think some plans call for much more than necessary to just get a "feel-good finish", which is my goal. The set plans are usually to get a great performance or be competitive. So, don't stress if you miss some steps! Do the best training you can and then GO FOR IT!0
