12 month out from IM

Originally posted by Lurch I'm 12 months out from my first IM. All of the training plans I've seen start around 6 months out. Should I just put in volume without much worry about for the next 6 months or look at HIM and winter maintenance training plans?

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

- Maintain your fitness.  No need to go "all in" on training for the time being.

- Focus on short term goals or races.

- You shouldn't even be thinking about or worrying about a race 12 months away.  You'll have plenty of time to fixate on the IM 4-5 months out.

- Do a 16-20 week training plan.  Anything more than that is unnecessary assuming a base level of fitness.

- Don't forget to have fun and soak it all in.

Originally posted by Lurch



The base level of fitness is what I am wondering about. At the start of training 16 - 20 weeks out should my base be good enough to do an Olympic or HIM that day?

Originally posted by IMJeffrey

Lurch, are you talking about IM Boulder? You're from Boulder so I had to ask. I am signed up for that inaugural race in 2014 and that's about a year out at this time.I've been away from Ironman and Triathlon racing for two years (dealing with family health issues, care for a family member, etc) and I am looking to get back to that part of my life that's been missing for some time. I've gained some extra weight (about 40 pounds) so my goal is to keep working out for the rest of the year to drop my weight before I start up laser focusing on race season in 2014 -- around the start of 2014. I am a big Clydesdale anyway (I usually race at about 235-240 pounds, or did prior to my Tri-sabbatical) so getting down in weight for me is essential. Being 12 months out I would just get out there and have some fun with your workouts. There will be plenty of time for intense training plans, be it 20 week, 24 week or 30 week training plans, as you get closer to the event. The mileage you put in now will certainly benefit you come serious IM training time but have fun working out with an eye on what's to come in July/August 2014...whatever your race may be.When the Boulder 70.3 reg opens up I'll sign up for that race in June 2014 as a good training race as I build toward the Boulder IM in August. Until then I just want to drop my weight and have some fun being active knowing that the intensity of training for that race will be here sooner than I anticipate!

Originally posted by guy2600 I think that depends. I did my first Ironman a year ago and like you, I'm a year out from IM Boulder. For me: First 3 months - general conditioning. Goals: * Drop all the weight I intend to lose and get to my target Ironman weight (Need to loose 12 lbs. It's easier to do it when there's not much else going on. There's too much else to do in the "on" season). . * Work on flexibility - I had injuries throughout my last season and it was all due to lack of flexiblity. I'm going have that solved before the hard training begins * Build a modest run base (up to 15 miles per week but no longer than 3 miles in a day). For me, I need to slowly ramp up the milage to avoid injury. * Sort out all my gear changes. I want his out of the way so when it's time to train that's all I need to focus on. New tri bike this year :-) * Train without a rigid schedule and do what I feel like that particular day. For me, the mental focus of the "in" season was tough as well as dealing with a very rigid schedule. Don't want no part of that right now. When I feel like taking a day off, I do. If I feel like mountain biking or just doing the nordic track thingy I do. What ever sounds fun that day. The outseason has different goals but I'll leave that for another post...