Just wondering what everyone recommends for Ironman training resources. I’m signed up for IMUSA next year which will be my first IM. Ideally I’d like to get a coach, but might not be able to swing it financially. I’ve done OK at the shorter distance Tris with Friel’s book and at marathons with Pfitzinger. I thumbed through a copy of “Going Long” at Borders, but there doesn’t appear to be a whole lot new in there that Friel doesn’t cover in the training bible (except maybe IM specific nutrition), although there appears to be a lot of good stuff on Gordo’s web site.
I’m also thinking about subscribing to Training Peaks and buying an IM plan in place of a dedicated coach. My primary goal is to finish, but I’d like to be prepared enough to do a decent time as well. As my training hours will be at a premium (just like everyone else) I want to make them count. Any recommendations are welcome.
Sounds like you’re most of the way there. I’m no expert, having done my first IM this summer, but I primarily used Going Long and TrainingPeaks as my guides and was quite happy with the result. Yes, most of the info - and then some - in Going Long is on Gordo’s site and in Friel’s books, but I liked having it all in one place and handy for quick reference. In the end, I mostly used Gordo’s advice on some of the mental aspects of training and race day, and his race day nutrition/pacing advice. The Crucible Fitness site also has good IM training and racing advice.
For training, I found the training peaks site very easy to use and affordable (I think I got a discount through TNO – don’t know if that’s still an option). I didn’t buy a specific training plan to go with it, but I think that’s a good call. Again, you could do it all yourself using the Training Bible, but the less you have to think about yourself in the last few months, the better.
I personally found the best resource to be others who have completed IM distances before. I read no books and had no coach, but I knew many, many people with long distance training experience. Much of what I heard was often very contradictory, but I was able to devise my own training plan based on the tips and advice that I deemed most applicable to my own goals, training style, available time, abilities, etc. It worked well for me, and I’ll likely go with a similar strategy next time (whenever that may be).
Personaly, I like the process of figuring out what works best on my own, and taking repsonsibility for my successes and failures.
I hear you. I like figuring things out too, but I’d like to capitalize on all of the data already out there. The research is my tri “fix” when I can’t be training.
Personally I think a “Coach” for your first IM is a waste of money. (Coaches flame away…)
There are plenty of resources out there. I personally find Don Fink’s beIRONfit an easy read with a very easy and straight forward training plan. He doesn’t complicate things.
I’m a reader, I own at least two dozen books but only rely on three (Training Bible, Going Long and beIRONfit)
disclaimer: I’ve never done an IM. Training for the Great Floridian Full 2005. I do not use a coach and don’t believe a coach would offer me anything at this point that the friends that I have made who have done IM provide me for free. Just by getting a coach doesn’t make your engine bigger, it just makes your wallet a little lighter for the AVG MOP’r
" I do not use a coach and don’t believe a coach would offer me anything at this point that the friends that I have made who have done IM provide me for free. Just by getting a coach doesn’t make your engine bigger, it just makes your wallet a little lighter for the AVG MOP’r "
Isn’t that just a free coach ?
Their are many ways to spend money. Some have expensive bikes or shoes or wet suits go to a health club,yoga Indoor pool. A coach can be a very good plan for some.He may keep you from wasting your money on that expensive bike or wheel set
I think the biggest value of a coach for me would be the organization, analysis and adjustment (as needed) of a well thought out periodized training schedule. I know that I could do this myself with references like the training bible, but I find that I’m lacking the time to do a thorough, thoughtful analysis of my training. I’m constantly having to adjust my workout schedule to fit in with family, work, travel, etc.
That’s what I like about training peaks. It told me when to put in lots of time and when to rest. It also fed me workouts each week, but then I got to plug the workouts into the days when I thought I could do them.
I bought both the Training Bible and Going Long (and a couple others). There is a lot of information in each book to comprehend and let simmer, especially if you’ve just started doing tri’s or are about to do your first IM. Don’t know about you, but I don’t really have the time (or motivation) to put together a 24-week training plan complete with detailed workouts. Other than trying to put together a training plan, I thought the rest of each book was helpful. IMO, if you’re serious about developing a training plan get a coach.
