I’m starting a new job and trying to adjust my training goals accordingly. I’ve been doing Olympic and 70.3 distance tri’s for the last few years, and although I am planning on doing a few more this summer/fall, my time is definitely more limited than it once was. I can find the time to train at least once every day, and many weekend days I could pull off a double.
All of the plans have a lot of doubles built in, is it possible to be (moderately) competitive without a bunch of two a days? Not winning nationals by any means, but I’ve been close to and on a handful of local and regional podiums, and if I can still shoot for that, I’d be happy.
Thinking about either dropping my 70.3 plan to being Olympic focussed, or maybe just training as a pure cyclist for a while.
As Steve Magness says, more is more – better is better. So the question it seems to me is how to maximize the time that you do have so that your goals and outcomes are “better.†What does “better†in terms of outcomes mean for you?
One go-to for me in situations like this is to reduce the least purposeful/productive time that I’m currently spending, so that I can maximize the time I do have with the most important work.
BTW some folks have found that reducing time spent training actually increases performance.
How many hours are you training now per week? What does the distribution of your sessions look like, across each discipline and any strength training? How many hours will you have in your new situation?
I’m starting a new job and trying to adjust my training goals accordingly. I’ve been doing Olympic and 70.3 distance tri’s for the last few years, and although I am planning on doing a few more this summer/fall, my time is definitely more limited than it once was. I can find the time to train at least once every day, and many weekend days I could pull off a double.
A typical program would have a lot of doubles, but I’ve found it better for me to train once a day, most days and then make up for it at the weekends. Not ideal, but you can achieve similar results.
I’ve never done massive hours, maybe 12-15 (on the very high end), often settling closer to 10. Since finishing college two years ago, I’ve been following TrainerRoad plans, supplementing the running and swimming with my own semi-educated ideas. With the new schedule, I could safely manage 7 hours, although I’m hoping I can keep it at 9-10 with better planning.
Big difficulty is managing fitting a second workout, it’s much easier to do something longer than a shorter second discipline. I tend to work later on into the evening now, and I do have time for a second one in the evening, but at this stage in my life, I would like to make sure I’m dedicating adequate time to my partner in the evenings. We both work full time, so that’s the only time we’re together, and I’ll put those goals over my podium goals!
Back in the day when I was time strapped, I would run or bike to the pool(or lake) or bike to the track. Hell, you can run off the bike frequently too.
I’ve never done massive hours, maybe 12-15 (on the very high end), often settling closer to 10. Since finishing college two years ago, I’ve been following TrainerRoad plans, supplementing the running and swimming with my own semi-educated ideas. With the new schedule, I could safely manage 7 hours, although I’m hoping I can keep it at 9-10 with better planning.
Big difficulty is managing fitting a second workout, it’s much easier to do something longer than a shorter second discipline. I tend to work later on into the evening now, and I do have time for a second one in the evening, but at this stage in my life, I would like to make sure I’m dedicating adequate time to my partner in the evenings. We both work full time, so that’s the only time we’re together, and I’ll put those goals over my podium goals!
that seems a healthy approach right there! i’ve known plenty who have managed a decent ironman distance on 10hrs per week. good luck AmNu!
To get in basic training, doubles probably aren’t necessary. However, to fit in something like 3 swims a week, 4-5 rides, and 4-6 runs, it is necessary to get the base and fitness needed to improve and develop as an athlete. However, that won’t fit in for many folks. If you could get in 90 or so minutes a day during the week with some bigger weekend workouts it could work out reasonably well, especially for someone with a swimming background (they wouldn’t need to swim as much). Personally, I often do a morning session that is brick based (limited to 65 minutes each morning), and then an afternoon swim or run. I personally find that for most runs I benefit from even 15-20 minutes of riding with a few ramp-ups to feel good for a run.
I’ve never done massive hours, maybe 12-15 (on the very high end), often settling closer to 10. Since finishing college two years ago, I’ve been following TrainerRoad plans, supplementing the running and swimming with my own semi-educated ideas. With the new schedule, I could safely manage 7 hours, although I’m hoping I can keep it at 9-10 with better planning.
Big difficulty is managing fitting a second workout, it’s much easier to do something longer than a shorter second discipline. I tend to work later on into the evening now, and I do have time for a second one in the evening, but at this stage in my life, I would like to make sure I’m dedicating adequate time to my partner in the evenings. We both work full time, so that’s the only time we’re together, and I’ll put those goals over my podium goals!
that seems a healthy approach right there! i’ve known plenty who have managed a decent ironman distance on 10hrs per week. good luck AmNu!
Big difference between 10 hr/week with a 16 weeks program and averaging 10 hr/week year round.