Have you used the BT HIM Plan?

I used the Beginner HIM plan last year for my first.  I probably ended up doing 70% of the total number of workouts... the only workouts I made sure not to miss were the long runs or bikes.  I finished in 5:55, my goal was sub-6.  I am definitely a BOMOPer, or FOBOPer.

For me, doing the Beginner HIM plan was more than adequate, and I missed a fair amount of it like I said.  I'd recommend that to you as well. 

eta: Oh, and good luck with whatever plan you decide on!! 

Hey thanks for all that!

NewLeaf - I think maybe I'll switch up to the beginner plan if the first couple weeks are looking too daunting-- I'm fairly confident, just nervous, as I hung on with almost 100% commitment to the 12 Week Oly plan on BT earlier in '08 but  the fall was rather a disaster for me! The balance of '08 was rather personally devastating for me hence all the "failed" goals ....

I appreciate all the confidence though that you all have in the plans here to succesfully complete a HIM!

Andrea I can't believe we haven't met yet, hopefully things workout and the wife and I will make it to Matt's trainerfest next weekend.

I used the Silver 20 week HIM program last year for my first HIM.  I added rest days when things at work were busy, and actually missed 15 to 17 days of tri training in May due to a two week FEMA collapse course for my rescue team that was switched from fall to spring at the last minute.  I was physically and mentally drained when I finished that in May and thought my HIM was over with and out the window, but was able to build up the training over a few weeks and followed the plan the best I could.

It does start out with quite a bit of training and I built into it and was training for the Martian half mary with it too.  Overall it's a great program I would've been happy breaking 6 hours and thought I was going to slow during training not to mention I thought I was going mad during the taper, come race day in tough conditions I did 5:30 and felt completely ready and strong through out the race.  I even managed to keep a smile on my face and enjoy the race up into the sun started baking me half way through the run.  The program will have you more then ready come race day.

The only reason I'm not using the BT IM program this year is that the program from "Be Iron Fit" fits better with my schedule, I just hope the results are similar come Nov 7.

Good luck with whatever program you choose.

See ya next Saturday

Steve

I KNOW!!  2009 is all about change for me ;-)  I let a few family members suck me dry balance of  '08, so it's all about me now -- in a good way I mean.

Good to hear about your success with the plan. 

Mr. TravlJini is out of the country, so I'll definitely be there. Ironically the plan calls for 2 hr trainer ride so Matt's TrainerFest will work out nicely to kick start the program!

Looking forward to meeting another MI BTer!

I did the "beginner" HIM plan 2x last year, so this year I've upgraded to the silver level one you're talking about (starting it TODAY, actually).  I upgraded because I think I would get bored doing the same plan for the 3rd time, and I also wanted a little more plan detail.

It does start a bit ahead of where the beginner one did, which I'm a little worried about since the first 5 weeks I will be finishing up Marathon training.

I think, for me, if I can be diligent about the bike I will be fine. I will obviously have a great running base from the Marathon, and swimming is my strength. Crossing my fingers that it will all work out

I appreciate your comments because I do plan to beef up the run portion of the program myself.  I'm not at all worried about the swim, I was freaked out about the bike but think a couple good 4 hour stints will solidify my confidence, but like you, want to run the 1/2 mary -- even if it's a slow pace.  So I'm more or less incorporating a 1/2 mary program into the BT Beginner HIM plan.

 Thanks again!!!

Thanks for starting this thread.  What HIM are you training for?

I am thinking of using the silver HIM training plan to train for Steelhead.  That is one of the crazier ideas I have had this year (it is early in the year though...)

Bronwyn:
I backed down to the "Beginner" 20 week HIM plan.  I originally had chosen the HIM plan that was a step up, but the first couple weeks looked pretty meaty. I reviewed the details of the plan, and after some advice here, and given my poor fall/winter track record, I thought I didn't want to demoralize myself.

I'm well into week 2 and am very happy because I'm adding runs -- not a lot mind you -- but at least mentally and physiaclly I feel good.  I anticipate it to be a totally do-able plan that will equip me to finish Boise in good form.

I see you're a Michigander, too!  Maybe we'll meet up soon at one of these crazy trainer fests!!

Andrea

I was worried about getting the biking in on the silver HIM plan...I may combine the beginner and the silver ones.  

Since you are ahead of me, will you let me know how things go?  I will have to look up your background.  I have a running background but have never done a tri.  I enjoy putting myself in tough situations...so this is right up my alley!

Michigan.  Yep.  I will be around.  I live in Fair Haven so I miss out on some of the west side activities due to the distance.  

Here is a third thank you for this thread.  My HIM training begins in March 1 for Musselman, and I, too, have been going back and forth. 

I printed out both plans, and it seems to me that while the silver plan is very bike heavy right from the start, the beg. plan has very little biking even in the later weeks of the program.  I was thinking of using the silver plan, but cutting back the bike for the first couple of months (i.e. instead of a 4.5 hr ride a 3 hour ride, or shortening the long ride but adding minutes to a shorter ride during the week.)  Once May hits, I should be able to do the plan as is, but for the early weeks it is just too much.

I'll be eager to see how everyone's training is progressing (and if you still have a life outside of it!)