Next Level - How do you know?

Take this with a grain of salt, I'm no expert...

But I have moved up when I no longer felt like I could NOT handle another minute of training.  I remember when training for a sprint was really hard.  I was tired!  What, I am putting in 3 hours of training this week?  WHoa. 

Now... I have a 6 hour week and feel bad because I took it easy a few days.   For me, I've "moved up" in distances and not training plans.  I always start with the beginner plans because I'm too lazy to put a full effort into really training.  But that's how I knew I was ready - when I could handle the training without dying.

The only training I really moved up in was my half-marathon.  I did 2 using a beginner plan and felt I wanted a challenge.  I identified with the description of Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half-marathon plan, so I went for it.  Turned out a much better time, although I suspect that has to with my accumulated experiences.

Long story short - you'll know when you're ready.

I'll try again.  I think you just need to evaulate your ability and fitness.  There are no tests or benchmarks...  As for me, I would follow a plan that looks challenging, but doable.

Also, listen to your body.  If you are taking on too much, your body will tell you with symptoms of overtraining.  IE lack of energy, injury, elevated HR, loss of motivation, etc.

Take a look at the wikipedia article on sports periodization.  People will debate it and fine tune it, but the basic principle applies to training for all endurance sports.  This will cover how to plan your base, build, peak and recovery periods and give a couple of links into other tri sites with articles.

First ask yourself WHY are you doing this (triathlon training)? 

To be a competitive Age-Grouper?  (you'll want to go to the "next level" )
To keep your weight in check?  (Are you increasing/decreasing/stable? )
For fun?  (Maybe you never take it to the "next level" )

I'm training for an Ironman, and many days, I'm still just happy to get a workout in (job, family, house all demand attention).  Will I be as fast as I think I should be?  No, but I won't be losing sponsorship and my wife still loves me (most of the time) whether I finish in 11:XX or 14:YY. 

Are you willing to carry a camera with you when you ride, knowing that it weighs 6 ounces and will slow you down?  Are you willing to stop riding/running so you can take a picture of a beautiful scene?  (Or are you so focused on your pace and cadence that you completely miss the beautiful scene? ).  Are you enthusiastic about going out for a 45 minute run or 90 minute ride?  (Or, are you stressing over what isn't getting done while you're out?)  You have a perfect excuse to be out at sunrise/sunset (running), do you take advantage of it? 

Are you worried that you're not making good use of your training time and energy?  Hire a coach (and expect to answer the first three questions) to help manage training with the rest of your life commitments.  (Or, hire out some of the things you do that interfere with training. )

I want to compete, but not necessarily be competitive - yet.

This is a big one. I got a quick loss of 247-250 to 235-237 with a plateau. However, see the competition part. I cannot work out for the sake of working out. I need to have a tangible external goal.

The fun part involves getting my family involved. I want to me a good role model for my kids and wife.

I have "workout" rides and runs. The answer is I am all about the training.

I have "family" times where the workout is secondary.