General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-03-27 4:18 PM

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.


2009-03-27 10:32 PM
in reply to: #2044800


57
2525
Subject: RE: Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans
I started last year doing tri and i followed his plans for level 1 for sprint and olympic. Both races i raced very well for a beginner with no kind of endurance back ground. I would trust the plan. I am in the middle of doing his him level 1 plan. I could let you know how i do when i race jerseyman in may.
2009-03-28 5:30 AM
in reply to: #2044800

Extreme Veteran
428
10010010010025
Subject: RE: Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans

As I posted on the other thread...

Let me know how you go with the plan. I'm thinking about using one (around L6 - 7) later in the year. I'm hoping to crack or get very close to 5:00 with it.

My main concern with it is lack of variety / intensity. All very structured & predictable. Good in some ways but maybe not enough demands on the body? Also 20 weeks is a hell of a long time.

I did the L6 IM plan and felt 24 weeks of predictable structure too long. 18 - 20 max would have been better for IM so I'm thinking a 1/2 IM should be even shorter.

Cheers

Gerrard

 

2009-03-28 9:22 AM
in reply to: #2044800

Expert
708
500100100
work, road, bike, pool
Subject: RE: Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans
I did 2 him's last year IM Kansas 70.3 and Longhorn 70.3. For kansas I did this race unexpectedly and was using Oly #4 finished just under 6 hrs. as for Long horn I trained for it and
did a combination of level 3-4 HIM last year and felt very good with the training my time could have been around 5:15 but had 2 flats and aero bar screw fell 2 times ended up with 5:38

I think that for the long Rides it just depends on how you feel that day as to how hard you can push your self. I know that I went longer and harder then the book said but some times its just fun to bust it.

This year im doing KS 70.3 using level 4. im am in week 9 and have missed a few work outs here and there lately due to working on my house. I in no way feel that I am half ready for this race...

What race are you doing?
2009-03-28 7:09 PM
in reply to: #2044800

Extreme Veteran
428
10010010010025
Subject: RE: Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans

Something else I've never "got" about his plans are that long sessions are only every second week. I can understand it for running where running 3 times a week just doesn't give enough volume to support a long run every week, but I hear lots of people taking about doing a long ride every week.

Anyone know what gives with that?

2009-03-30 8:49 AM
in reply to: #2044800

Expert
1035
100025
lake forest, California
Subject: RE: Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans
I used this plan and as for the riding, I think a long ride every week would be excessive and I felt the bike training was fine. If you want to push up the intensity on your long rides I don't see why not, but i'd be careful not to get over fatigued-


2009-03-30 3:51 PM
in reply to: #2044800

Expert
1296
1000100100252525
Subject: RE: Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans

bachorb - 2009-03-27 5:18 PM Hey guys -

I am using the level 7 HIM plan from Matt Fitzgerald's book (the one that has 42 different training plans in it). I went 5:00 last year (OK - 5:03) and am looking to go 4:30 this year. I am into the first build phase right now of Fitzgerald's plan and so far I have been pleased.

The one thing that irks me about it though is the lack of "race simulations" for the bike. The plan I used last year (I got it off of Beginner Triathlete) had a high-intensity 2:30-3:00 ride every few weeks. However, all of the long rides in Fitzgerald's plan are of "moderate aerobic intensity." The bike is my strong leg - right now I do a 2:30-2:35 during a race - would it make sense for me to turn up the heat a bit on the long rides or do I need to "trust the plan?" There are a good amount of intense rides during the week, but none of them are over 1'45".

My question to you is...what are you limiters and how are they coming along.  I know the question is kind of a deflection from your time goal and long bike question but there is a reason. 

The main reason is that you should be able to go 2:3x on the bike and still be able to go close to or under 4:30 for the total time.   By keeping your pacing at a moderate to upper end aerobic intensity you will gain aerobic endurance which will ulitmatly translate to speed.  If you want to go faster on the bike for 70.3 I would focus some of your 25-30 mile efforts at tempo rides for the entire ride after you warm up.  You'll seem more benefit from that in my opinion that riding race simulations and toasting yourself. 

Focus on your limiter(s) as well as your tempo ride that falls in that 25-35 mile range and you'll be fine.

Good luck.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Matt Fitzgerald's HIM plans Rss Feed