I’ve registered for my first Ironman…Wisconsin 12. I am really excited but want to take my game to the next level. I went to sign up for training peaks to get Joe Friel plans but it appears that total cost will be $800+ to get all his Ironman plans. Are there any low cost plans available out there?
Be IronFit by Don Fink has 3 plans. All pretty similar just a bit different in the amount of intensity you do. Used a mix of intermediate/advanced for my first. I thought the plan was great. Worth a look as the book is only $15 and has a lot of other information you might find useful.
I agree with SpicedRum - Be IronFit got me through 3 IM’s with great results. I followed the competitive plan and always felt very prepared.
All the work outs are HR and time based. They are easy to follow and very consistent from week to week.
Mike
Does ironfit have just plans to buy or do you need the monthly online coaching?
nah - its a book -
check Amazon.com
.
just a book. I think the author does some individual coaching, but the book itself is good enough to get anyone through their first IM. And if you follow the plans and do the intensity you’ll do pretty good. I didn’t follow the intensity very much, just did the runs/rides because I was new to tris and didn’t understand the importance of intervals on the bike and had a nagging injury on the run that hurt if I did speed work, but I still finished in 11:45 just following the hours in the plan. And 11:45 is pretty much what I was sure I could do based on the training I did. So it really set me up to start the race with confidence in my race plan.
Thats great. Thanks guys. Ill check it out.
Frey and Huddle also have a book with a plan that looks good - Ironman Start to Finish, I think. I will be using the Ironfit intermediate plan though as I have limited time and the plan really fits my needs.
Here’s a free one…
http://opentri-training.com/free/ultra/index.htm
I started it at week 12 (I was already “training” before that with no direction at all). I followed the plan as best as I could given my life/work/family, etc. I ran a little more than it called for but wouldn’t do that again.
I went 12:06:xx in Kona last year with this plan (my first IM).
Another vote for Don Finks Be Iron Fit. I did my first at IMLOU this year and went into the race healthy and ready to go.
Have you looked into Endurance Nation? They are tried and proven. They may offer a holiday discount on their plans as well. They are either 12 or 20 weeks long so you can wait on getting them. I would also advise the OutSeason program to kick your ass over the winter before you jump into an IM specific plan.
Mine (Triathlon Dominator). I won’t link to it as I don’t want to do any type of spam promotion, but I’m sure you can find it if you look.
Ben Greenfield
Check out Gale Bernhardt’s “Training Plans for Multisport Athletes”. It includes a plan specific for first time IMs, I think. It’s about $15 via amazon.
Yep, 100% agree with IronFit readers. I did it and finished 19th in AG, 15 min from punching my ticket to Kona.
Frey and Huddle also have a book with a plan that looks good - Ironman Start to Finish, I think. I will be using the Ironfit intermediate plan though as I have limited time and the plan really fits my needs.
I’ve used that Frey and Huddle book for 3 IMs now, and have just broken it out for the 4th (IMMT next Summer). I like that you can modify it completely to suit your needs…in the end, I actually end up with a plan that looks very little like the one in the book, but use the timing and key workout elements mostly.
X2 EN plans. I like them a lot.
I used Trifuel’s ironman plan this year for Redman on 9/24…it’s 36 weeks. I started at about 20 weeks. I think the 36 week is for someone getting off the couch. I maintained a lot of fitness coming out of the offseason. Worked well for me…
Frey and Huddle – Are the Best! Checkout their 9-week plan. Again, they are brilliant!
x2 for Opentri. No need to waste your money on other plans if you want to figure it out on your own anyway.
Here’s a free one…
http://opentri-training.com/free/ultra/index.htm
I started it at week 12 (I was already “training” before that with no direction at all). I followed the pla n as best as I could given my life/work/family, etc. I ran a little more than it called for but wouldn’t do that again.
I went 12:06:xx in Kona last year with this plan (my first IM).