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2011-01-01 4:35 PM

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Expert
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Subject: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
The book "be iron fit" was $11 on Amazon so I went ahead and ordered it. Anyone else read it? Any good? I am registered for IMLOU and I am so excited about it.


2011-01-01 5:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
I loved this book!! I used for my first HIM last year. I liked the simplicity of it. I also liked how it was consistent. You know that every Tuesday you had a brick to do.. or whatever the workout might be. Good luck and enjoy the journey you're about to embark on!!
2011-01-01 5:59 PM
in reply to: #3271427

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
I hope it is!  I'm planning on using the competitive plan for my first full at IMWI this year.  A number of people have spoken very highly of it.
2011-01-01 6:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
Great book.  Used competitive plan for 5 ironman races.  It worked well.  :-)
2011-01-01 6:43 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
Great book - I followed the competitive plan for IMLou last year and I was well prepared.  The only thing I did different was for swimming.  I went to Master's and did whatever the workout there were, and never used the swimming plans in the book.

I'm going to be using it again this year for IMWI.
2011-01-03 10:41 AM
in reply to: #3271427

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Master
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?

After reading this thread, I went and bought the book at Barnes & Noble and read it.

I really liked a number of things the author had to say, so I'm going to be using the Competitive plan for IMCDA.  Due to timing, I've had to start at week 5 but I think that's OK given I was doing some training in December. 

What I liked about Fink's approach was that it aligned well with my own thinking and schedule:

- Lots of bricks.  I'm a fan of bricks both for training purposes and because they're a real time saver.
- Not massive time in the pool - 3 hours a week.  That will be fine for me.
- No long mid-week ride.  Previous plans I've followed called for 3-hour rides on Wednesdays, and I just can't do that.

I just finished my first week on the program (Monday is rest day) and I feel good about it so far.  The jump into organized training was pretty easy.  I had been running 2-3 hours a week + 30 minute swims, so I've doubled my training volume but it was easy.  Glad to see I didn't fall apart completely by taking the fall off from training plans.



Edited by brucemorgan 2011-01-03 10:42 AM


2011-01-03 10:47 AM
in reply to: #3271427

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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
one of my favorite triathlon books of all time. i think it's great reading regardless of what distance you're looking at. his tips on time management are probably the best of any tri training book.

it's also really accessible and his book is well organized and easy to remember points from.

I speak very highly of his training programs and (depending on need and goals of course) would recommend them for anything HIM to IM.

The only downside is ... he's not real clear on what your starting point or base should be before you start his programs.
2011-01-03 9:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
I just ordered it as well off Amazon and began reading it.....so far so good. Is there a way to download the training plan to my BT training log?
2011-01-04 8:38 AM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?

I'm using the competitive plan (adjusted for a HIM) because I love it for the same reasons listed above.  After some searching, I found a .csv file set up for transfer to your BT log.  I'll attach it here, but you may have to double check it.  The structure and most of the workouts are correct, but I think I might have added a 10k in place of something?  Worked great in uploading though.





Attachments
----------------
Don_Fink_Competitive_Training_Plan(2).csv (12KB - 121 downloads)
2011-01-04 8:44 AM
in reply to: #3271427

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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?

Sorry, I think that's my shortened version.  I can't find the 30 week at the moment, but it should be easy enough to fill in from the book if you don't mind taking the 10 minutes to do it.  It was well worth it for me, I love having my plan on here.

2011-01-04 3:32 PM
in reply to: #3276210

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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
I used 'Be Iron Fit' for IM LOU last year and it worked great.  I would highly recommend it.

ETA: The swim workouts can be a little boring, so I used some different workouts from time to time but overall the plan was great for me.

Edited by cornchexs 2011-01-04 3:33 PM


2011-01-04 4:05 PM
in reply to: #3277573

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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
I used the Be Iron Fit intermediate plan and felt like it really prepared me well for my IM. I have typed up the workouts in Excel and have been sending it out to anyone who requested it. Just send me a PM if you want a copy. I know others on BT have been sending out Excel files as well.
2011-01-04 4:28 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
Yet again another BT thread makes me second guess myself! I plan on using Matt Fitgerald's plans from the "Triathlete Magazine's Essential Week-by-Week Training Guide". I've used them before and felt like my big complaint was the mid-week long ride and the lack of a rest week, so I adapted the plans. Anyone have BOTH of these books? How do they compare? What do YOU like best?
2011-01-05 11:01 AM
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The Original
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
cornchexs - 2011-01-04 4:32 PM I used 'Be Iron Fit' for IM LOU last year and it worked great.  I would highly recommend it.

ETA: The swim workouts can be a little boring, so I used some different workouts from time to time but overall the plan was great for me.


I am using the competitive plan for Vineman and I'm honestly not impressed with the swim workouts (they seem very redundant) and I'm a little nervous about the lower swim volume.  In the past I've used the BT HIM to IM bridge training plan (3 month plan) so I think I'm going to do the the swim workouts from that plan instead since I've had good luck using the swim workouts from that plan twice before.

My biking needs a lot of work and I was surprised that the max bike during the peak phase is only 4 hours. I may need to up that or add in more biking since it's definitely my weakness when it comes to tri's.  Especially IM's.
2011-01-05 11:40 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
I followed Be Iron Fit plan for my first (and only) Ironman and thought it was great. Due to my schedule, I actually flipflopped between competitive and intermediate plans, which aren't that much different anyway.

I liked the consistency week over week. Eventually though, it got to be too routine. I peaked probably about a month before my race. Next time, I'll shorten it up from the 30 weeks. Plus, when you get to the final 10 weeks, I'd change the swims so I'd go longer one day/week and keep the other 2 shorter.

Nonetheless, this got me through something that originally seemed impossible. After going through the training, once I was on the starting line, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind.

2011-01-05 12:25 PM
in reply to: #3279665

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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
runnerx - 2011-01-05 12:40 PM After going through the training, once I was on the starting line, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind.


Now this is a great endorsement!


2011-01-05 12:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
runnergirl - 2011-01-05 12:01 PM
cornchexs - 2011-01-04 4:32 PM I used 'Be Iron Fit' for IM LOU last year and it worked great.  I would highly recommend it.

ETA: The swim workouts can be a little boring, so I used some different workouts from time to time but overall the plan was great for me.


I am using the competitive plan for Vineman and I'm honestly not impressed with the swim workouts (they seem very redundant) and I'm a little nervous about the lower swim volume.  In the past I've used the BT HIM to IM bridge training plan (3 month plan) so I think I'm going to do the the swim workouts from that plan instead since I've had good luck using the swim workouts from that plan twice before.

My biking needs a lot of work and I was surprised that the max bike during the peak phase is only 4 hours. I may need to up that or add in more biking since it's definitely my weakness when it comes to tri's.  Especially IM's.


i don't have the book in front of me but i think the long bike in peak is 6 hours for the competitive plan.


Edited by fattyfatfat 2011-01-05 12:49 PM
2011-01-05 2:09 PM
in reply to: #3279537

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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
runnergirl - 2011-01-05 12:01 PM
My biking needs a lot of work and I was surprised that the max bike during the peak phase is only 4 hours. I may need to up that or add in more biking since it's definitely my weakness when it comes to tri's.  Especially IM's.


The competitive plan has two 5 hour rides, two 5 1/2 hour rides and a 6 hour ride in the peak phase.
2011-01-05 5:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
jessica71980 - 2011-01-04 8:38 AM

I'm using the competitive plan (adjusted for a HIM) because I love it for the same reasons listed above.  After some searching, I found a .csv file set up for transfer to your BT log.  I'll attach it here, but you may have to double check it.  The structure and most of the workouts are correct, but I think I might have added a 10k in place of something?  Worked great in uploading though.



What did you do to adjust for an HIM?
2011-01-05 5:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
runnergirl - 2011-01-05 9:01 AM
cornchexs - 2011-01-04 4:32 PM I used 'Be Iron Fit' for IM LOU last year and it worked great.  I would highly recommend it.

ETA: The swim workouts can be a little boring, so I used some different workouts from time to time but overall the plan was great for me.


I am using the competitive plan for Vineman and I'm honestly not impressed with the swim workouts (they seem very redundant) and I'm a little nervous about the lower swim volume.  In the past I've used the BT HIM to IM bridge training plan (3 month plan) so I think I'm going to do the the swim workouts from that plan instead since I've had good luck using the swim workouts from that plan twice before.

My biking needs a lot of work and I was surprised that the max bike during the peak phase is only 4 hours. I may need to up that or add in more biking since it's definitely my weakness when it comes to tri's.  Especially IM's.


I followed Be Iron Fit competitive plan to the letter for IMAZ'10. The swims, though lazily designed, prepared me well. I managed a 1:09 swim leg, and I was shocked at how well prepared I felt. Four weeks pre race, I KNEW I'd complete the race. I even predicted my finish time within 3 minutes. I swear by this book.

And for a HIM, I'm re-executing the plan, with my HIM race in week 22 of the intermediate plan.
2011-01-05 6:20 PM
in reply to: #3271427

Master
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
- Lots of bricks.  I'm a fan of bricks both for training purposes and because they're a real time saver.

This is one of the things I'm not following.  I like the book overall but I find for me,  the bricks are less useful than a focused run or bike workout.  I also feel like the 100rpm Z1 spin days on the bike are a wasted workout.  That's just me though.

I am treating Be Iron Fit as a rough guideline and then modifying it enough to merge in Jorge's winter cycling plan, which I intended to do regardless.


2011-01-05 6:43 PM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
Hi Everyone,

I am using the competitive program to train for IM Lake Placid. So far so good. Was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this:

1. Strength Training - I am incorporating 2x/week on Wed and Fri (those seem to be the lower volume days). I'm doing a mixture of functional and traditional but I might switch to something else. How did everyone else handle strength training with this plan?

2. Training Race Weeks - My training races do not fall exactly on the weeks specified. so I just inserted the race week when I have it scheduled and bumped everything back to accomodate. Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks!
Ryan
2011-01-06 7:49 AM
in reply to: #3280685

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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
Slidell4life - 2011-01-05 5:49 PM
runnergirl - 2011-01-05 9:01 AM
cornchexs - 2011-01-04 4:32 PM I used 'Be Iron Fit' for IM LOU last year and it worked great.  I would highly recommend it.

ETA: The swim workouts can be a little boring, so I used some different workouts from time to time but overall the plan was great for me.


I am using the competitive plan for Vineman and I'm honestly not impressed with the swim workouts (they seem very redundant) and I'm a little nervous about the lower swim volume.  In the past I've used the BT HIM to IM bridge training plan (3 month plan) so I think I'm going to do the the swim workouts from that plan instead since I've had good luck using the swim workouts from that plan twice before.

My biking needs a lot of work and I was surprised that the max bike during the peak phase is only 4 hours. I may need to up that or add in more biking since it's definitely my weakness when it comes to tri's.  Especially IM's.


I followed Be Iron Fit competitive plan to the letter for IMAZ'10. The swims, though lazily designed, prepared me well. I managed a 1:09 swim leg, and I was shocked at how well prepared I felt. Four weeks pre race, I KNEW I'd complete the race. I even predicted my finish time within 3 minutes. I swear by this book.

And for a HIM, I'm re-executing the plan, with my HIM race in week 22 of the intermediate plan.


Would you recommend the plan for a HIM?  I'm looking at my first HIM in September, and would be interested in this plan, but it's for a full IM.  Is it adaptable for a HIM, by performing the training thru week 22, with the HIM as your goal race, without continuing to an IM?  Or would other adjustments need to be made?
2011-01-09 9:18 AM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?
I have followed this plan multiple times to train for HIMs.  I did the training up to the HIM in the plan, but also modified using the taper at the end of the full plan.  I also used the competitive plan to train for IMFL.  I love this book - just ordered the 2nd edition (been using the 1st since 08).
2011-01-09 9:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Just ordered "be iron fit" is it any good?

pilotzs - 2011-01-05 6:01 PM
jessica71980 - 2011-01-04 8:38 AM

I'm using the competitive plan (adjusted for a HIM) because I love it for the same reasons listed above.  After some searching, I found a .csv file set up for transfer to your BT log.  I'll attach it here, but you may have to double check it.  The structure and most of the workouts are correct, but I think I might have added a 10k in place of something?  Worked great in uploading though.



What did you do to adjust for an HIM?

Sorry, I'm slow...

I made a 20 week plan for myself.  I follow the plan through week 17.  In week 18 his plan has an Oly race, so I actually just skipped that week and went on to 19.  Then my weeks 19 and 20 are pretty much like the last 2 taper weeks of the competitive program.  So my biggest week is 15 hours, with a max bike of 4 hours.  If I have to in the future, I could drop that 3 swim they add since that is not what I need to work on anyway.  So far, so good!

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