Good free Ironman training programs

Not to be pedantic, but there is no "best training plan out there", there is only best for you and your circumstances. Whether it's a free Internet plan or $500 a month personalized, coached plan, it could be great or it could be bad

People have a lot of good things to say about Fink's plans, and it's only a $15 book.  And $15 is nothing in the scheme of things.

For my 8 IMs, I've used Mark Allen Online coaching, a triathlon coach at $250 a month, BT online gold member IM plan with fiddling from me, "winging it" based on previous plans, last year Fink's competitive plan, and this year Fink's intermediate plan with an emphasize on intensity.

The coach was good but expensive, and ultimately I dropped her because I couldn't justify the expense vs. not having the time to actually do the plan she was writing for me.

I was OK with the BT plan and winging it, but I had trouble following the plans (time constraints again) plus I wasn't thoughtful enough about how I went about adjusting them.

Last year I found Fink's 2nd edition book and really liked it the plans - they work well for me. They use bricks during the week and weekend warrior type training.  No long Wednesday ride - many plans have a mid-week 3 hour bike ride and there is ZERO way I can accommodate a 3 hour ride consistently on Wednesday.  I like bricks, and I can do five hour rides on the weekend. I had a lot more success following Fink's plans because they fit my life. Even so, the competitive plan was too much time for me last year; I had to cut back some of the key weeks. So this year I've committed to the lower-volume intermediate plan and plan to push the intensity. Last week was week one and so far so good. :-)

Thanks for the reply Bruce, I see your point of view and appriciate the honesty. From the sounds of it Fink's plan should work for me. Depending on my work load and if I am on call or not really determines how and when I can train. Most days I do two hours in the morning then an hour or so at night. Weekends like you are pretty open.

Thanks again

Last year I used finks plan as well.  I went for the competitive plan, but some weeks I trasined the intermediate.  I think i was well prepared for my first IM.

Bruce- what is the difference in vol 1 & 2? 

This was great to read this thread.

I'm training for my first half iron distance in August and the plan that I have written out is part BT plan and part "what fits in my real life" plan. I think I'll also spend the $15 to get Don Fink's plan/book just to add to the mix.

Thanks!