Training plan question

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2005-01-07 11:47 AM

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Subject: Training plan question

I'm beginning to lay out my formal training schedule to prepare for an Oly at the end of June.  (It will either be my 1st tri or I will do a Sprint in mid-May.)

I have been planning on using the BT Oly plan(s) as a starting point and modifying to fit my schedule/needs.  However, I also took a look at the 1/2 IM plan (just to get more ideas) and noticed that it includes less training time than the Oly (at least the 3x plan).  I like the fact that the 1/2 IM already has suggested workouts for much of the program. 

Would this plan be OK to follow for my Oly?  (I have no intention of doing a 1/2 this year.)

2005-01-07 2:02 PM
in reply to: #100462

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Subject: RE: Training plan question
i wouldnt see why not...the 1/2 is more of a structured plan - more efficient with the drills, speedwork and periodizaton if you already have a base established.
2005-01-07 2:47 PM
in reply to: #100533

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Subject: RE: Training plan question

Thanks Ron. 

I guess I'm not sure I have the base assumed for the plan.  I've been building a base in swimming & running for about 4 mos.  (and only just now adding biking).  My long run is up to 60min and I've been doing some swimming with Masters (so I'm already doing 2000+yd sessions with a lot of the set-type work that I see in the 1/2 IM plan).

Do you think I'd be better off just building the base more for this season?  Or do you think I could try the 1/2 IM plan and see how my body takes it?  (I think I can do the 1/2 IM plan, but I've promised myself I won't push anything too hard and that I want to make sure I'm getting the most value out of the time I'm puttin into my training.)

2005-01-08 11:59 PM
in reply to: #100559

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Subject: RE: Training plan question

ok...u have the swim and just about the run...you have been doing some consistant spinning (cold weather?)...give it a shot - but just my opinion...your prolly hoping for that response instead of the other

listen to your body...not sure if you have any history of injuries...be careful...if you need to skip a training day to relax and recup...its not the end of the word...

any other thoughts people who have started the 1/2 IM plan?

2005-01-09 8:33 PM
in reply to: #100462

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Training plan question
If you don't want to do a 1/2 IM why not just borrow some of the workouts from the 1/2 IM plan while following the OLY plan? I would pull them out of the same training period tho (ie if you are in Base1 get a workout from the Base 1 part of the 1/2 IM plan and modify it for time). Besides, the 1/2 IM plan seemed to me (last year) to be really heavy on the swimming, which looks like your strong point. If you are just adding biking then I would be more concerned about my biking base than anything. Just my .02 from VERY limited tri experience...
2005-01-09 9:01 PM
in reply to: #100462

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Subject: RE: Training plan question

JK - I think the 1/2 program will work for you...with some tweakin'.

My situation is sort of like yours...goals fore the year include a 1/2 IM, don't have the base to quite start the program (have the run and swim, some bike (spin, cold weather).  So I'm following the base / build periodization from the 1/2 schedule, but I've reduced the annual hours to accommodate what I can do...which is slightly less than recommended for the 1/2.  Also, I kinda jacked around the schedule to accommodate a marathon and a competitive century mid-season.

But just to amplify Ron's hypothesis, listen to the bod...I don't see any reason why the 1/2 program wouldn't work for you...you've got to tweak the plan anyway to accommodate your 'limiters', so why not tweak to accommodate your proposed race calendar and your current fitness level?  And as always, be prepared to adjust based on how it starts to unfold (injuries, progress, raging success...).  Should lead to a great Oly in June.  My 2 cents.

Rick 



2005-01-10 9:26 AM
in reply to: #100462

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Subject: RE: Training plan question
I've been doing the 1/2 IM in prep for the Oly I'm going to do in May. Then I'm going to repeat it for a 1/2 in the fall.

I was short on the base when I started, so I followed the first 4 of weeks of the schedule, training the disciplines on the same days as it called for. I didn't do any of the intervals or speed work, though. I just did medium intensity workouts at a consistent pace. If I couldn't do the time that the schedule called for, I did what was reasonable for me. Once I got a little more base built, I started doing the actual workouts. I did the Prep phase twice. Now, I've got 20 weeks to go until my Oly. And I've just finished up the Base 1 phase. I'm going to repeat it, then do Base 2 twice, then I'll be on to Base 3 and Build. That will take right up to my race on May 30th.

Given that you have 24 weeks to go, you could spend the next 4 weeks working on your base so you can get to the levels in the Prep phase, then start the program. The levels in the prep phase are a 1500m swim (continuous, not total distance), a 60 minute run, and a 90 minute bike. It sounds like you're pretty close to that already.

Overall, the program has worked well for me so far.

Edited by dgunthert 2005-01-10 9:33 AM
2005-01-10 10:29 AM
in reply to: #100462

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Subject: RE: Training plan question

Thanks for the thoughts.  Just got the Friel's TTB this weekend so I have better idea of the periodization process now too.  I'm not really sure what my "weaknesses" are yet never having done any of the 3 disciplines more than very recreationally.  I started with the assumption that it would be in swimming & running (reason I focused on those 2 first).  I still think this will be the case, but admittedly I'm now behind on the bike base.

As I said, I had planned to just go with an Oly plan but was surprised that the hours were not that much different in 1/2 plan on BT.  After the comments and reviewing TTB, I do think I want to emphasize base building more this season so some the 1/2 plan may be too targeted at this point.  So I think I'm going to use the plan as my starting point and maybe shift some of the interval work to more steady state efforts as Dennis suggests.  I may also try to add an additional rest day now and then depending on how I'm handling the volume.

Thanks again.

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