General Discussion Triathlon Talk » HIM is over, now what? Rss Feed  
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2016-08-01 9:37 AM

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166
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Bismarck, ND
Subject: HIM is over, now what?
I just finished my first HIM last week. I had been working with a coach for the last few months. I loved having a coach. It made me accountable. I missed very few workouts and really enjoyed my race experience. Unfortunately, my coach and I did not get along very well and we are no longer working together. My question is what do people do in the "off season"? Do they follow a maintenance plan of some sort? I was hoping to wait a few months before I hire another coach. However, I need a "plan". If I am held to my own device, I won't do the workouts. In previous years, I work fairly hard in spring and summer but the winter I lose interest, gain weight and stagnant. I run all year long but every spring I have to basically start from square one on the bike and swim.

Any suggestions? I am willing to pay a coach a smaller fee for a little bit more customized plans but I can't afford the $250 that I was paying.
Thanks


2016-08-01 10:06 AM
in reply to: brreems

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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: HIM is over, now what?
Someone said that triathlons are raced in the summer but won in the winter. That makes sense, to me. I'm going to focus on my weaknesses over the winter............after I take about 3 weeks off.

I'll run 25mi./wk through the winter......swim 7500-9000 yds and bike a couple times/wk. for maintenance. Intensity will be low for my running.
2016-08-01 10:37 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: HIM is over, now what?
Originally posted by nc452010

Someone said that triathlons are raced in the summer but won in the winter.


WOW! I've never heard that quote before but that's exactly my experience too.

The winter of 2014-15 I worked hard and worked on my weakness - running. I had an outstanding race season in 2015. This past winter I slacked off on running & had a shoulder injury from swimming & I have been paying for it with weak run legs this summer. But I try to stay positive!

I would say don't take "too much" time off after your HIM ... get back in the saddle and at least do whatever of the 3 you love. I did that at the end of last season & I regret it. I won't make the mistake this winter.
2016-08-01 10:37 AM
in reply to: nc452010


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1001002525
Subject: RE: HIM is over, now what?
I followed up a HIM in June with a sprint a few weeks later and I am doing an Olympic in a couple of weeks. Then calling it a season. Going to work on the swim first and foremost over the winter. Going to get all the biking I can in before the cold weather hits and I have to switch to the spin bike.
2016-08-01 2:16 PM
in reply to: brreems

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Subject: RE: HIM is over, now what?
I give myself about a month or so at the end of the season where I work out, but I don't train. That means that if my friends want to go for a bike ride, I join them or if I feel like taking my dog for a run, we go for a run. I make sure to do something at least three times a week, but there is no structure. Then I shift more toward other things--trail running and mountain biking if there is no snow, cross country skiing if there is, and I do a couple of triathlon specific workouts a week with an early season race in mind. However, I tend to trail race in the spring, so that is the focus of my training early in the season. For me, triathlon is a hobby, not a job. It isn't my focus year round.
2016-08-01 5:16 PM
in reply to: brreems

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Durham, North Carolina
Subject: RE: HIM is over, now what?
Check out training peaks. Buy a base plan or something else that piques your interest and use that until you think its time to splurge on a coach. I'm far from pro, but maybe work more on volume and less on intensity for a bit to give your body a break.


2016-08-01 5:31 PM
in reply to: brreems

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Newtown, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: HIM is over, now what?
I am new to the sport as well and do not have a coach. I plan on doing a HIM in September and then taking a couple of weeks off. I am then planning on using the plans they have posted here on this site, starting with the 16 week cycling plan, and then rotate through the 8 week winter maintenance workouts focusing on swimming. I will then move onto the 20 week marathon build for an early spring race.

I feel that there is enough to the plans found here to get me through this off season and prep me for next year, without a major investment.

I need to do the work, but i think the plans here are enough, FWIW
2016-08-01 10:35 PM
in reply to: #5193462

Member
166
1002525
Bismarck, ND
Subject: RE: HIM is over, now what?
Thank you all for your feedback. Since this was my first HIM, I worked mostly with endurance. I did very few speed workouts. I dont know if I could keep up with the same volume all year round. It would get to be too much. I will check into the maintenece plans here. I just know myself and I'm not sure I can stick with a plan with out either a goal race or a coach.
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