I am using the level 7 HIM plan from Matt Fitzgerald’s book (the one that has 42 different training plans in it). I went 5:00 last year (OK - 5:03) and am looking to go 4:30 this year. I am into the first build phase right now of Fitzgerald’s plan and so far I have been pleased.
The one thing that irks me about it though is the lack of “race simulations” for the bike. The plan I used last year (I got it off of Beginner Triathlete) had a high-intensity 2:30-3:00 ride every few weeks. However, all of the long rides in Fitzgerald’s plan are of “moderate aerobic intensity.” The bike is my strong leg - right now I do a 2:30-2:35 during a race - would it make sense for me to turn up the heat a bit on the long rides or do I need to “trust the plan?” There are a good amount of intense rides during the week, but none of them are over 1’45".
I am using one of his plans for my first IM (Lake Placid), and am trusting it and not overthinking it. So far it feels good and I like the structure of it. I have been doing tri’s for 7 years up to the HIM length and up to now had just trained by feel. I am also in the base phase and do feel like I could do more most days, but I guess thats the point. It is only week 7 of 24 for me.
Yeah it’s hard not to overanalyze a plan I guess. Looking through the plan I had last year and comparing it to this one, it seems like the total overall intensity is similar, but for Fitzgerald’s plan the bike intensity is concentrated more in the weekday workouts, with base building saved for the weekend. With the BT plan it was the reverse. Still - can’t help but drive myself nuts over it
I don’t know if this well help but I am in week 12 and did a sprint as scheduled (just worked out that we had one today). I took 3rd overall! When I was doing the make it up as I go I didn’t even place in my age group. I say trust the plan.
