Does anybody know/tried a training programme for ironman, which is lower in volume than typical plans but with more intense sessions.
Looking to do my second Ironman, but have two kids and a job so wanting a plan that is lower in volume to avoid being divorsed. Still what to be competitive and train hard, so do not want a beginner plan. I have done the Furnman Running 3 day running programme and loved it and got PB’s. So there must be tri plans out there based on a similar concept. Ideally, I would only want to train once a day on most days during the week put push further in the weekend.
Definately get the book “Be Iron Fit” by Don Fink. It’s perfect for the busy family and everything he talks about in his book is in regards to a busy family lifestyle or businessman/woman lifestyle. You get the adequate training in and I used it to complete IM Louisville in Aug 09’. I’ll be using it again to train for Arizona this year…Good luck!
I don’t have heaps of time, am only really looking for a finish (13ish?), and coming back from scratch so starting from low volume in all disciplines. His plan looks well suited for that.
Going from this IM to my next I’d use a plan based on higher volumes though for sure…
for plans, Ironguides has some solid programs without the need for power or HR if thats your thang. But there is alot of great info out there as well but be aware even more bad info
I’m a busy family man with two kids. Time is a choice. It’s not a question of whether or not it exists - it’s a question of whether or not you want to use it when it’s available. I work full time and only siphon off about 10% of my family time for training - 14 to 17 hours per week now, 20+ hours per week once my weekends are at full volume. Pre-dawn workouts, lunchtime workouts, and nap-time workouts account for about 40-50% of my weekly volume.
Plans are nice for structuring workouts, but they’re mostly blind to scheduling. Start squeezing in some off-peak workouts and you’ll find a rhythm that works for you and your family. The real key is not stressing about workouts in front of your family - that’s a guaranteed path to disaster.
With you on the pre dawn and lunch time training. I am up at 5am almost everyday and then I do a couple of hours training (3 if I am doing a longer ride). If I need to do some speed work I will do that in my lunch break. Can you cycle/run to work? I use 1 evening for swimming during the week and one weekend early for swimming. I get a long ride almost every other weekend. What I found was that as long as I am around (and have the energy) to play with my kids for a while (i also have 2, a 4 and 2 year old) my Mrs will be a happy lady. Can you talk to your work to see if you can get a longer lunch to train in?
Evenings I try to keep mostly free as I can spend that time chilling at home and thinking about what I really really need to buy for my bike
I can relate with your post. I have a high stress job, and my wife and I have four kids ages 2 through 8.
Someone mentioned Ironguides and I have found those programs to be very solid. I followed one last year when I was traveling a great deal and found that I finsihed my IM feeling really good. Matt Fitzgerald also has the Triathletes Training Guide and he provides plans for levels 1-10. You could lean on one of the lower volume plans.
For me, the secret to getting in my training centers on getting out of bed in the morning. I can get two or three hours while my kids are sleeping and this really alleviates a lot of the potential guilt of cutting into their time. I schedule my week each Sunday and try to stick to the plan. On Saturdays, I get in my long rides as early as possible.
On days I work from my home office–I make it a goal to get in some recovery workouts or shorter sessions involving my kids. My older kids can ride their bikes while I run, I push a jogger stroller a lot, and on recovery rides I will pull a trailer on a different bike with my two youngest in it. While these training substitutes may not be ideal racing or training situations, the work for me and my kids and I really enjoy those moments. The only warning here is that you better be flexible as kids require unplanned stops and have limited patience
“The best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley.”
Whatever plan you come up with, try to get in the habit of always having workout kit in the car. I’ve discovered that out of sight, out of mind really does help in the marriage department. Do your run or your bike ride before you hit the door. There’s nothing worse for the marriage than running in the door at the end of the workday so you can run out for your workout. I’ve hit some great trail runs on the way back to the office from meetings.
I still argue that there are more expensive and time consuming hobbies than tri that don’t get the bad rap. Golf for one. If things get bad buy some bass fishing magazines and leave them around the house. Make sure your spouse overhears you talking to her least favorite and, preferably, the hardest drinking of your buddies about the bass boat you’re thinking about buying. The one with the sweet marroon metal-flake finish and the twin 200s. Heck, you might even want to discuss whether you can weld a bike-rack on that bad boy.
Thanks for the advice and direction with where I can find plans to suit my needs. Great to hear there are so many others juggling the challenge of ironman with family. I often think that age groups should be based on age but more importantly how many children you have, as I am motivated when I see someone finishing long tri’s and there family are there to welcome them. As lets face it we are challenged more than those our age with no children who can train for hours. Although I am sure none of us would trade it for the world!!
I have ordered beironfit and will give it a look, then will look around at some training sites to see what will best fit. I think getting up a little earlier might also have to be on the cards.
I must be the only coach who is against training for an IM when you work full time and have kids (+ wife). It’s not just the required hours of training but the fact that those hours leave you little energy for the more important tasks of being a Dad. Unless you can put the required hours in to hit your targets and potential I don’t see the point in doing a slow and ill prepared IM when you can race a descent and fast (closer to your potential) Olympic.
For some reason many are more impressed with the IM factor BUT consider being a speedy Oly Triathlete and saving the long hours for when you kids are older and have their own distractions. I always think that when I look back on my life I will miss these times with my kids more than I would miss a 6 hour bike ride. They grow up very quickly and need you there more than you know.
That is why I’m going hard this year at the IM, while my son is only 2 and will then make a decision with my wife on whether to continue to do IM going forward or switch to Olympic distance or shorter.
The one good thing about switching to Olympic distance for 10 years or so would be that I will be in a slower age group when I get back to IM and have a better shot at Kona
To the OP, talk to your spouse and agree on a plan that will work well for both you and the family!
Hi,
I must be the only coach who is against training for an IM when you work full time and have kids (+ wife). It’s not just the required hours of training but the fact that those hours leave you little energy for the more important tasks of being a Dad. Unless you can put the required hours in to hit your targets and potential I don’t see the point in doing a slow and ill prepared IM when you can race a descent and fast (closer to your potential) Olympic.
For some reason many are more impressed with the IM factor BUT consider being a speedy Oly Triathlete and saving the long hours for when you kids are older and have their own distractions. I always think that when I look back on my life I will miss these times with my kids more than I would miss a 6 hour bike ride. They grow up very quickly and need you there more than you know.
Fastaduck makes a good point, and I think its something I like many others think about- the balance between personal challenge and family. I guess I am lucky in that I am a PE teacher, so along with 12 weeks holiday a year where I can target my heavy training and finishing work at around 3.15 each day I do see my kids alot! However, this summer I did just go back to running and took time off from training for tris- which I enjoyed as I was able to spend more time with family. However, it is important that we keep out hobbies and for me its exercise, so even if I was not training for long distance tri’s I would still train for at least an hour a day to keep my sanity! But its has made me think that maybe I should just stick to half’s for a few years- although there is always ultra distance running!!
