A guide on how to combine several training plans to fit your season.
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced or Annual Athletes
Annual Path On the chart below, the gray shaded areas represent the optimal annual path to take for best performance.
Non-Annual Approach The white areas represent plans that, if you have been active, have kept more of a 'non-regimented' training approach, or if you can meet the minimum requirements - you can just jump into that plan to complete the race distance with confidence.
This chart offers a few easy approaches, there are many other ways where you can combine plans to suit your needs. If you become a Gold member, you can ask the coaches any questions in the 'Training Plan Support' forums so that you choose the correct plan for you and setup your season appropriately.
Use this bridge plan to a 1/2 IM race for a better, higher performance, annual program
20 Week stand-alone intermediate level plan for solid performance.
12 Week
Use this bridge plan to a Full IM race for a better, higher performance, annual program
12 Weeks. Start here if you're literally a new athlete-in-training. You can follow this up with the Sprint Maintenance if you're done for the season, another sprint plan if your want to peak again for another race within the season. You may also move up a level to the 'Sprint to Olympic Bridge'
This plan is based on RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion)
20 Weeks. For best results, start these programs in the off-season to lead into any 8/12/20 week race plan. This is an annual, systematic approach for having the best season you can.
8/12/20 Weeks. One can pick up one of these plans for a race by itself if you have the required amount of base. Best results if prefaced with a 'Maintenance' plan. You follow any of these plans with the same Maintenance plan if your season is over.
You can also follow these plans with one of the bridge plans for a longer race.
These plans make excellent intermediate-level standalone plans if you meet the requirements.
It is not preferable to jump levels between these plans as there are sizable gaps in training volume. It is best to use the bridge plans to jump levels. Once at a level, you can re-use these plans consistently.
NOTE: These Sprint and Olympic are both RPE and HRM-based. If you don't care for wearing HR Monitors and determining zones, but just want to go by 'feel', then use the RPE-based plans.
The 'Beginner' plans are a more basic and somewhat easier than any of the basic sprint to full IM plans. These are good, solid plans if you just want to 'tri' it and meet the minimum requirements.
It is not preferable to jump levels between these plans as there are sizable gaps in training volume. It is best to use the bridge plans to jump levels.
These plans do include a race at the end to cross the bridge to the next level. Preface with a good base at the starting distances or with one of the 8/12/20 week race plans. These plans are challenging and are definitely not 'beginner' plans.
Example strategies for an annual program:
A sprint and an Olympic race:
20 week winter sprint maintenance followed by,
12 week sprint program which will lead you to the,
12 week sprint to Olympic bridge.
44 weeks total.
Likewise you can do this with a Olympic and a 1/2 IM or a 1/2 IM and a full IM
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Creating an Annual Training Plan
A guide on how to combine several training plans to fit your season.
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced or Annual Athletes
Annual Path
On the chart below, the gray shaded areas represent the optimal annual path to take for best performance.
Non-Annual Approach
The white areas represent plans that, if you have been active, have kept more of a 'non-regimented' training approach, or if you can meet the minimum requirements - you can just jump into that plan to complete the race distance with confidence.
This chart offers a few easy approaches, there are many other ways where you can combine plans to suit your needs. If you become a Gold member, you can ask the coaches any questions in the 'Training Plan Support' forums so that you choose the correct plan for you and setup your season appropriately.
Find these plans in
Training Plans for more information.
12 week, no prerequisites
20 week. Start by December 1st. This is an annual, systematic approach for the more serious athlete.
OR
12 Week
More basic, can jump in with this one if you meet requirements. A great stand-alone plan if you just want to 'tri' it.
12 Week
A solid intermediate plan that can be used repeatedly
8 Week
Basic, can jump in with this one if you meet requirements. A great stand-alone plan if you just want to 'tri' it.
12 Week
A solid intermediate plan that can be used repeatedly
12 Week
Use this bridge plan to an Oly Race for a better, higher performance, annual program
8 Week
Can jump into this Beginner Olympic Plan if you meet requirements. A great stand-alone plan if you just want to 'tri' it.
12 Week
Use this bridge plan to an Oly Race for a better, higher performance, annual program
20 Week stand-alone intermediate level plan for solid performance.
12 Week
Use this bridge plan to a 1/2 IM race for a better, higher performance, annual program
12 Week
Use this bridge plan to a 1/2 IM race for a better, higher performance, annual program
20 Week
Great plans if you just want to 'tri' it.
(free)
12 Week
Use this bridge plan to a 1/2 IM race for a better, higher performance, annual program
20 Week stand-alone intermediate level plan for solid performance.
12 Week
Use this bridge plan to a Full IM race for a better, higher performance, annual program
12 Weeks. Start here if you're literally a new athlete-in-training. You can follow this up with the Sprint Maintenance if you're done for the season, another sprint plan if your want to peak again for another race within the season. You may also move up a level to the 'Sprint to Olympic Bridge'
This plan is based on RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion)
20 Weeks. For best results, start these programs in the off-season to lead into any 8/12/20 week race plan. This is an annual, systematic approach for having the best season you can.
8/12/20 Weeks. One can pick up one of these plans for a race by itself if you have the required amount of base. Best results if prefaced with a 'Maintenance' plan. You follow any of these plans with the same Maintenance plan if your season is over.
You can also follow these plans with one of the bridge plans for a longer race.
These plans make excellent intermediate-level standalone plans if you meet the requirements.
It is not preferable to jump levels between these plans as there are sizable gaps in training volume. It is best to use the bridge plans to jump levels. Once at a level, you can re-use these plans consistently.
NOTE: These Sprint and Olympic are both RPE and HRM-based. If you don't care for wearing HR Monitors and determining zones, but just want to go by 'feel', then use the RPE-based plans.
The 'Beginner' plans are a more basic and somewhat easier than any of the basic sprint to full IM plans. These are good, solid plans if you just want to 'tri' it and meet the minimum requirements.
It is not preferable to jump levels between these plans as there are sizable gaps in training volume. It is best to use the bridge plans to jump levels.
NOTE: The Beginner 1/2 and Beginner Full IM are RPE-based and free.
These plans do include a race at the end to cross the bridge to the next level. Preface with a good base at the starting distances or with one of the 8/12/20 week race plans. These plans are challenging and are definitely not 'beginner' plans.
Example strategies for an annual program:
A sprint and an Olympic race:
20 week winter sprint maintenance followed by,
12 week sprint program which will lead you to the,
12 week sprint to Olympic bridge.
44 weeks total.
Likewise you can do this with a Olympic and a 1/2 IM or a 1/2 IM and a full IM
Find these plans in
Training Plans for more information.
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