Has anyone used the “Be Iron Fit” IM program by Don Fink with success?
The plans are 30 weeks long. Thinking about using the 30 week “Competitive” plan for my IM in 2006 and would be interested in hearing from anyone that used any of the three 30 week plans.
Ta
I used a modified version of the competitive program for IM Wisconsin. Worked fairly well. I liked the emphasis on running frequency and volume. The only beef I had with the plan was the recovery weeks. Simply not enough reduction in volume for my liking. I also added a bit more cycling. All in all, I think it’s one of the best cookie-cutter-type plans available.
I’m currently using the competitive plan (not that I’m competitive), but have also found that there wasn’t enough recovery for me… being my first IM and all… But a plan is only a plan and you have to listen to your body to determine what you should be doing.
I think beIRONfit is one of the most straight forward and easy to follow books/plans out there. I own a whole slew of books and it wasn’t until I picked up Don’s book in April 04 that everything clicked for me. Really very straight forward… Didn’t lead to more questions… I like the fact that he doesn’t put in “Testing” week’s to determine “LT” or “Aet” or “AT” or all that shit… Just straight foward, do this and you’ll be able to finish and IM. If you want to go a little faster do this plan, if you just want to finish “Do this plan” want to be somewhere in the middle “Do this plan”. Granted, maybe I’m not training in the perfectly tailored zone all the time, however, I’m just and AG’r looking to finish the best I can.
don was my online coach in 2004 in prep for ironman lake placid. the program in the book is very similar to what he had me doing. i set a big pr (11:27) so i highly recommend it
Not to hijack the thread, but does has anyone used any succesful half IM plans. Seems that most of the books out there are for the full Monty, and I’m not there yet.
Training Plans for Multisport Athletes (Ultimate Training Series) (Paperback)
by Gale Bernhardt “You mat want to complete your first triathlon or perhaps travel faster or farther than you have done in past races…” (more)
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The Fink has guided me through my first IM prep with great results. I am stronger, faster, and more mentally prepared for IMFL than any race before.
BEWARE:
MUST DO:
“Swim smart, ride strong, run tough” is the best mantra from the book.
{- the death weekends of long ride Saturday and long run Sunday; put 24hrs in between these workouts to get the best results} reply
i think the world is split in two on this one. some, like don, would argue that it’s running on tired legs that prepares you for an ironman marathon. gordo and other would disagree. you sound quite confident and i think it’s more of a personal preference than a fact.
Brett C,
FOr a 1/2 IM you can go hard core with the Bernhardt plan available on trainingpeaks.com or you can go less hardcore with the 1/2im plan in Tom Holland’s 12-week triathlete. His “competitive” plan is much lower volume than Gale’s. His “just to finish” is even lighter.
Don is my online coach. He is awesome. Using his methods, I shaved off 37 minutes on my HIM time from March to July. I am doing another HIM this weekend and am trying to shave off at lease another ten or 15 minutes to get me to 5:20 or better. The HIM this weeken is a tune-up for IMF which is my A race for the season, so I should be able to provide additional feedback in November.
I farted around with a bunch of different programs until I found a copy of the book with about four months to my race. I just sort of picked up at week 10 of the 30-week program. I did the competitive program. Yes, the killer weekends of long bike followed by long run the next day were tough but my ironman race (my first) went great.My legs felt good the entire race. The thing I liked best was that the program seemed designed for someone like me with a 9-5 job and I could fit it into my week without having to worry about four-hour bike rides on Tuesday when I have to work.It also has a bunch of good swimming workouts that mix things up.All in all, simple and effective. I had tried Gordo/Friel’s “Going Long” (lots of good info in that btw)but found putting a program together from that book way too confusing.Fink is pretty straightforward.
Thank you sir. I will go hard core, I think.