Active Community: Message List - How to Train

Re: How to Train

rahaa1 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:59:28 GMT

I'm answering for the swimming part of your training. I get a lot of tips from http://www.dobkanize.com. The site doesn't have specific training plans, but does have a lot of tips, and there was one good article on a workout for your tough swim workout that I found interesting. It's at:

http://www.dobkanize.com/a3plus.asp

Re: How to Train

JimFive — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:33:35 GMT

Karim,

The time based plans are actually timeeffort based. The idea is that timeeffort is more effective than just cranking out the miles. However, I also prefer distance based plans. So what I do is convert the time+effort into a distance for myself. For Example a 1 hour Tempo run might be 8-10 miles. A 30 minute fartlek might turn into a 10x800 interval or a 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4 pyramid. Having said that, I just finished my first sprint Triathlon and can't imagine swimming 2.4 miles.

Something I did that goes against the normal recommendation is that I trained in one aspect at a time. I started running because it is what I knew and when I got to a reasonable point I went to barely maintenance 1-2 times per week while I swam 6 days a week. Even without running my run times improved by 10% due to swimming fitness. I would argue that you need to focus on one thing at a time until you are comfortable with it, then move on. Once you are comfortable with each event then you can work on them together.

-- JimFive

Re: How to Train

Joe_h1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:34:15 GMT

this just came out today - part of it is a commercial for powerbar but it is a free online 29 week program for an ironman:

http://www.ironmanpower.com/training/guide/index.html

Re: How to Train

Joe_h1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:45:12 GMT

while we're talking about swim technique also check out 'total immersion' by terry laughlin I thought it was a pretty good book on how to improve your swim form (and save energy for the rest of the race)

Re: How to Train

KarimR — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:29:34 GMT

That's a great article- thanks for the link. I'll be in the states in a few weeks, so I'll stick to my marathon schedule and work on swimming technique until I can get a real schedule and the books you recommend. The time-based plans are common enough that they must be functional, I just don't understand how.

Salam

Karim

Re: How to Train

Joe_h1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:09:40 GMT

hats off to you my friend. a very bold goal. I think Beginnertriathlete has some generic ironman training plans but also check some books like triathlete training bible by friel or training plans for multisport athletes by bernhardt (a coach here at active.com - it's on velopress.com I think) look at doing some shorter tri's before the big day just to get afeel for tri's. also an nice article on the self coach triathlete by Rich Strauss - http://www.cruciblefitness.com/etips/IMPrimer.htm

some plans use time and others use distance not sure why. good luck and have fun!

Re: How to Train

KarimR — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:53:18 GMT

Thanks, Joe.

My decision to train for a triathlon is a lifestyle choice. I met a very fat man in the gym who exercises for 45 minutes twice a day and has for years. I realized that his problem is that he doesn't have a goal, and then I analyzed myself and realized that I don't have a goal either, even though I'm in good shape and go to the gym regularly. Last week and I decided to run a marathon, and I found a plan and started training for that. Then I realized that I don't want to look like the guys who run marathons, even though they're in great shape. I would much rather look like a triathlete, so I changed my goal from a marathon to an ironman triathlon. The swimming will initially be difficult for me because I've been a runner my whole life, but I want to build my upper body so this is good.

I'm following the marathon training schedule until I find an ironman plan to replace it. I have not yet chosen a specific triathlon in which to compete. As I said, this is a lifestyle choice. The actual triathlon is a marker, not an end in itself. I don't know how long it takes to prepare for a triathlon. My marathon plan is for 18 weeks, so I assume it will be longer than that.

Thank you for the links. I'm looking for an ironman plan like the olympic plan here http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingprograms/tno_10wOly.asp. On the other websites (http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/beginnertriathlete.com/Beginner%20IM%20Plan/pdf/Week01.pdf, http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/ironman-workouts/weekp05.htm) they say how long to train but they don't say how far I need to go. Do you know of a plan formatted like the trinewbies plan, but for an ironman?

Thanks again,

Karim

Re: How to Train

Joe_h1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:27:13 GMT

there are some free generic plans at trinewbies.com, trifuel.com and beginnertriathlete.com. what distance race will your first be and how long do you have to train?

How to Train

KarimR — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:40:05 GMT

Hello.

I recently decided to train for a full triathlon. I'm in okay shape (I can easily run 5-10k), but I have a long way to go. I've spent hours online searching for a training schedule, and I haven't found anything. I'm looking for a simple, day by day list of what I need to do. Week 1: Monday run x km, Tuesday bike y km, swim z laps, etc. Something like that. The few plans I've found tell me how long to exercise, but they don't give distances, which I need.

I'm located in Dubai, and due to the 110+ heat going outside isn't very popular, much less triathlons. Therefore the bookstores do not sell books with triathlon training plans. I want to get started as soon as possible. Can someone please point me towards a training plan? I will be forever in your debt.

Thanks!

Karim