Happy racing everyone! I will be doing Arizona this year and some suggestions on a book or plan. I’ve done numerous sprints Olympics and a few 1/2’s. This year I’ve done 1/2, 2 sprints and an Olympic. Going on my 3rd year in the sport I really appreciate all the tips . Any can make a suggestion?? Thanks and have a great season!
I’m in the same basic situation as you (doing my first full at IMMT in August).
I’ve been roughly following this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Triathletes-Training-Manual-Abilities/dp/0764143840
The full IM plan is a pretty manageable 24 week schedule with recovery weeks every month and a short taper at the end; the layout of the book is nice. The content (e.g. general discussion of tactics, equipment, etc) is pretty standard (i.e. if you regularly read stuff on ST you likely have heard a lot of it before) but nicely compiled. Overall seems like a nice little book and should get me in a position to cross the finish line by midnight (my goal is sunset).
Hope that helps and good luck,
John
Thanks so much!! I will check it out! Good Luke om ur race!
For my first I followed “Start to Finish: 24 Weeks to an Endurance Triathlon”
http://www.amazon.com/Start-Finish-Endurance-Triathlon-Ironman/dp/1841263087/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370727616&sr=1-1&keywords=26+weeks+to+triathlon
I think one of its best features is that it has a lot of solid workouts to help avoid some of the guessing, including a lot of really good swim sets. The downside to it is that is pushes the old style system of very long bike ride on Saturday, and very long run on Sunday, which I don’t personally recommend.
In addition to the book I’d suggest finding some people locally that you can train with.
Check out Matt Fitzgerald’s book of training plans: http://www.amazon.com/Triathlete-Magazines-Essential-Week-Training/dp/0446696765. I’ve used it for two full IMs and a bunch of 70.3’s. I’ve modified it a bit since originally using it but they are rock solid. If anything they are a bit swim heavy IMHO and light on the run, but that gives me something tweak on my own.
Perfect! Thank u!
check out Be Iron Fit by Don Fink. It’s a great book with 3 plans that you can use depending on your level.
Check out Matt Fitzgerald’s book of training plans: http://www.amazon.com/Triathlete-Magazines-Essential-Week-Training/dp/0446696765. I’ve used it for two full IMs and a bunch of 70.3’s. I’ve modified it a bit since originally using it but they are rock solid. If anything they are a bit swim heavy IMHO and light on the run, but that gives me something tweak on my own.
+1 I wish I knew about this book years ago! I would have to agree that the plans seem overly swim focused and while the bike and run vo2 has been alot of suffering its also led to significant gains. I also like that there are a number of plans in the book from sprint to full ironman and you choose the best plan for you based on your ability and how much time you have to train.
If you decide on the Matt Fitz book, shoot me an email at kevin DOT neumann AT gmail DOT com and I can send you a super helpful spreadsheet. Basically the book lays out the workouts in code (eg. CSI10 = cycling speed intervals #10) and you have to look up the actual workout in the key. The spreadsheet I have does all the conversion for you and creates a very pretty printable output.
Have the book - but is missing the spreadsheet! Is it possible for you to send it to swlanger at gmail dot com? I have too few posts to send you a PM 
Cool! I appreciate that!
Check Gail bernhardt’s training plan book. I’ve followed her sub 13 hour plan and have had great success with it. Good luck!
Matt Fitzgerald’s training book is good, but very confusing (and time consuming) to understand the lingo and abbreviations for each workout.
does that offer apply to all? I would love a copy of the spreadsheet you describe.
Thanks
D
PM your email or send an email to the email in the original post and I will send a copy.
If your offer still stands I would greatly appreciate the excel file as well. Matt’s book came yesterday and I got dizzy from flipping back and forth. I am PMing you my email.
Thanks a bunch!
Micha