Help with 2 questions please

Triathlon Forum
1

Hello all,

I’ve decided I want to take the plunge and go long for the first time. My goal is to take part in IM Lanzarote next year (2006) giving me 12/13 months to prepare. I am 36 and have trained - regularly, but not intensively for a couple of oly’s. I am in reasonably good shape and don’t (at the moment) have any injury worries. So…

  1. Can anyone recommend a good training book/guide which they have found helpful in training for their first IM. I have looked at plenty of different schedules, but it would be very helpful if I could hear from someone who has actually followed a plan successfully.

  2. Since buying my first bike, on a budget, I have been using Look A1 pedals. I’ve got to the stage where I find them a bit cumbersome and difficult to disengage. I’ve been looking at the Speedplay range and, again, would appreciate any comments from current users - or any other suggestions come to think of it!

Thanks in advance,

gor1lla.

2

Training book/guides.

Going Long by Joe Friel, Gordon Byrn
Training plans for Multisport Athletes by Gale Bernhardt

I can’t comment on the Speedplay pedals but I really like Look pedals.

jaretj

3

Going long is a great book. It will definately help you with being prepared mentally. But it doesnt offer much for a traing schedule. Have you considered a coach? Speedplays are very nice. I had the x series. They are easy to get in and out of but the unrestricted float takes a little getting used to.

4

Amazon here I come…!

5

I luv my Speedplays.

6

Are you following a periodization program. Triathlete’s Training Bible is really informative, although it is kind of a technical read. I was lucky and Joe Friel lectured at a camp I went to, so I had it all explained to me and was able to ask questions and get answers straight from the horse’s mouth. I would definately recommend a training camp if you have the time and money to invest. I learned more in 4 days at camp than I would have in 4 years on my own.

Love my speedplays.

7

Can’t comment on the going long thing, I’m doing my first olympic distance this spring after a sprint last fall in my first triathlon…

I did however just get Speedplay x-5’s and while I agree that the float is a little weird, after about 100 miles, I hardly notice.

Stier

8

I picked up a copy of “Be Iron Fit” by Don FInk a few months ago and am using it to help train for LP this summer. Can’t say if it is successful yet, but the book provides a three different training schedules (just finish, intermediate, and competitive) based on your IM goals.

The book is really good at helping balance training with the rest of your busy schedule - which I have found really helpful.

I also wonder what others think about this book?

9

Nice…what model are you using now? And what did you use before?