lower volume vs. higher volume training plans

I could do it either way.

Low Volume plan reasoning:  You have a realistic plan with attainable weekly hours.  The thought is that no one likes to miss workouts or constantly having to do something that is different than written. 

High Volume plan: You seem experienced enough to know that these plans have key workouts.  Those should not be missed.  The rest is something you could be more flexible with and you have the knowledge to rearrange on the fly as needed. This would presume you enjoy doing that.

Third Option:  Create your own.  Actually, create just the ATP so that you know the cycles and build periods but not the whole schedule.  Then build your own weekly workouts at the beginning of each week to accommodate your work schedule; making sure to hit the key or breakthrough workouts. 

Yeah, sorry I left out of my original post that this is my 3rd IMC and my 9th IM.

How does the intensity vary in the low and high volume plans?

I see two extremes like the Endurance Nation plan which is low volume but with intensity with Qt2 systems which does lots of volume with limited intensity.

Which do you enjoy more?

Mentally would you rather get them all done and add some training when time permits or do more but sometimes have to skip things?

I don't like skipping things so I'd choose the first option.

I'm wondering about this too. Could make a significant difference in the responses.

That's a very good question.  I'll have to go think about that. 

Like Kathy, I don't like to miss workouts or cut them short - it feels too much like failing to reach goals.  Last year for IMCDA I was doing the Fink Competitive program up until week 18 or so when it became clear I was failing to do too many of the workouts, so I switched to the Fink Intermediate program.  And I was pretty happy with my performance at IMCDA, all things considered - slow motion swim (very cold water), good bike, good run with a just a tad more walking on the hill than I'd like.  But I had no nutrition issues.

I don't expect to have quite the same work load this summer as last year, so I should be able to do more.  Perhaps a lower volume program plus "do more when possible (time or intensity)" plan would be best for me.  Really nail the lower volume program, and perhaps move up a plan like the Competitive plan if time seems to allow, rather than fall back.

I think for people in general they have to have an understanding of their perspective to make a decision. You're not ok with regular skipping for whatever reason, so what you said could be the way to go. Once you check into the intensity that is, to get an idea of the training stress for each (Time x effort level, basically) for each program.

I am the other way around. I like to fit in as much as I can, reducing as necessary. Then when something heavy hits, I'll make sure to do a few key workouts during the week, and pick it back up after.

This is the biggest variable you have control over like a lot of AGers with work/family...

FWIW, I've read the Fink book a couple times and not sure if you were just using that as an example, but there is a lot of room to increase the intensity in that intermediate plan....if your body can handle the workload.  I'd go with that option personally.  Bike harder than prescribed and add a few minutes or some faster running here and there if you have the legs for it...

I have not done any IM's but with you having the experience of 9 races completed you already know what you need to do to complete another one. 

I would suggest you try to meld the 2 together a bit if you can.  Start with the lower volume plan and add volume when you can, even if they are a little lower than the competitive plan you should still see the benefit. A little more volume could simply be added on the same day as a slightly lower volume day.