Beginner 1/2 Ironman Plan Group (Page 143)

I am in for Oceanside. Trying to decide which HIM plan on here would be best for me. I think I want to try the regular plan instead of the beginner plan. I do not quite have the base that it describes due to injuries but I think I can get there.

You know what is best for yourself.  No pre-written plan can work for everyone.  I start with the beginner plan and try to hold to the theory behind it but alter for my strengths and weaknesses.  Staying healthy is by far my biggest challenge. 

Situational question --

Coming off a season that saw races of varying distance (olympic/sprint) I am registered to run the Houston Marathon Jan 11. I have a very strong running background and is my strength in Triathlon races. I have begun the Marathon training program here which has been rather easy so far.

My concern moving forward is the following: I am racing IM Texas May 18. This will be my first FULL. Because of the increase in training volume I am concerned that the 20 week plans here would only have me getting in the pool and back on the bike in LATE December. My bike fitness has fallen way off since my last race and I know that is where the work is mostly needed.

Would I be better served to add in HIM training plan leading up to the FULL training plan? Or, incorporate swims and bikes as cross-training prior to those 20 weeks?

Note: I am racing Galveston HIM in early April as a prep for IMTX.

I am in for my first HIM in April (Galveston). I have started a custom plan here on BT with online coaching. I am blending it with a HM plan for a 13.1 in December. Therefore my volume (running) is a little higher than the custom tri plan right now. If I remain feeling good with running I may try to keep that volume up (perhaps alternate a long run 10-12 miles) every other weekend. Thoughts on that?

Also looking at getting a trainer. I am a little worried I might not be able to push myself or enjoy it.

How many weeks out do you typically start a focused HIM training plan? I'm thinking of counting backwards 22 weeks and setting up my training blocks backwards like this: 2 week taper (collegiate nationals olympic in between), 2 week race-pace prep/pace memorization, 10 weeks threshold/VO2 training, 8 weeks base build

The only reason for a shorter base build is because I'm confident about my endurance on the bike and run. My aerobic fitness is going to keep increasing in my threshold weeks anyways too so not too worried about that.

"My further advice, anything popsracer says here should be considered the most valuable input a reasonable half-iron contestant could  hope for; the guy brings effortless enthusiasm to the new, non-fit, hopeful triathlete.  He made me believe I could do it.  And I did it."

TRUE! Just checking-in...unless I can score some aerobars I may not be doing a HIM in 2013, but I love peeking in on your journeys. My HIM 2012 was one of the best days of my life.

I'm two weeks in to my Oceanside HIM plan.  It will be my first HIM as well. I am doing a hybrid Fink/BT plan and will be watching this thread and the Oceanside thread. Happy Training everyone.

Last year, I ran marathon in may and 1st tri in July (HIM).  I ran 3x per week in prep for marathon and biked and swam 2x per week through may.  when the marathon was over, I switched to 3x week bike/swim and tried to run 3x week, but didn't always make it.  I pr'd the marathon, and finished better than expected in HIM.  I had many questions and doubts on blending the two, but ultimately with run fitness high, I think you can transition that into solid bike and adequate swim.  This year, I'm doing the same marathon and a HIM in september, so that will help having the distance between the two, but I think you'll be good with the 3-4 months inbetween.

Well, I've gotten a bit of a reprieve.  Was planning on doing Oceanside 70.3 but it sold out before I pulled the trigger.  Now its looking like Boise 70.3 even though I swore I'd never go back because of the horrible conditions both times I was there.  I figure maybe third time's a charm and I now know the course very well and exactly what to train for (unless it snows).

This gives me another six weeks to keep cautiously building more base before starting the plan the first part of January.  Can't wait to start the 20 week countdown. 

You have unfinished business with Boise 70.3 - get back there and smash it.

Hey Jo, what's up for you this coming season?

And yes, I plan to work harder and smarter so it would take another freak storm to derail me. 

Very individualized question, but I would continue running and swimming.  If you have access to a spin bike, try and get a couple bike w/o's in and build stamina on the bike.  When HIM plan starts, try to run at least 3x a week doing short recovery run, High intensity medium runs, and your long run for marathon build up.  get in at least 2 swims a week, and at least 3 bikes.  The plan is low on cycling, so try to compensate for this by stretching out the miles on many of the rides, or adding additional sessions.  I personally ran a marathon, then did HIM 3 months later, and cut back on the run, while ramping up on the s/b. 

You should be able to run 3x per week, bike 3x and swim at least 2x and finish HIM and set up for marathon.  The only thing I would worry about is fatigue from HIM going into marathon 3 weeks later, but this would generally be the time of marathon taper, so you may be o.k and well rested. 

Hope all goes well for you, and descisions you make now can really set you up well for 2 great races!

Thanks for the input. Spent this long weekend mapping out the new year and thinking everything thru. Thank you.

Howdy, signed up for Hawaii 70.3 as my first go at that distance! Probably a bit ambitious as my race resume is sparse and all, but heck this is my last year in Hawaii and I figured better make the most of it.

Picking up a few training partners which is nice and we are working on the "base" now. Looking forward to hearing everyone's stories and commiserate.

Justin

I have a spot for Vineman 70.3 (7/14/13), planning to use the beginner HIM plan, which starts 2/24/13.  It will be my first triathlon unless I find something shorter to do before then. 

I have a running background (doing my 20th marathon this weekend), but started swimming in August after breaking my 5th metatarsal (pinky foot bone).  I have been bicycling inconsistently for a number of years, until this last summer more consistently with 40-80 miles/week and also commuting a few days a week on a bike.  Now working out 9-12 hours/week without having started a formal training plan, and feeling pretty good.  Looking forward to being part of this thread.

Just printed off the training plan. Planning on doing my first Half Ironman in 2013. Not sure where or when, but I figured I would start the training process early!!

I just started racing this year (2012). I've done two Sprints and one Olympic distance. I didn't do too bad in any of them considering I just started racing. The Olympic distance tri was the last one I did this year and I finished 2nd in my age group and 11th overall out of just over 170 racers.

I look forward to reading all the posts and talking to other athletes doing the same thing I am!!

Thanks,
Kevin

Hi,

My name is Blake. I live in Roch, NY and I just signed up for Musselman 70.3 next July for my first true triathlon. I plan on doing some sprints/olympics before. I have been a marathoner and now looking to reduce running miles and add in some swimming and biking. I have been doing all 3 for about 3 months now and just building some volume and swim technique which I need bad. Looking forward to officially starting my training. What swim base do I need to start this program? Thank you!

Blake

I used this program to complete my one and only tri last year.  I had been swimming about 3 months 3x per week or so prior just logging laps.  I then started on TI as I was beginning this program and was transitioning with TI drills.  I was doing a long, medium, and short swim per week and logging in around 3000-4000 yds per week over the 3 sessions prior to starting with this HIM plan. 

for the training, I followed the swim workout distances and just supplemented TI drills instead of the plan drills.  I got in all of the intervals and yds, and finished my HIM swim in 46 minutes.  I was happy with the swimming in this plan.