Just entered my first half Ironman and trying to figure out how to best get the training going? What are the preferred or “go to” online training programs? TIA
I found one on TrainingPeaks for my first race.
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I’ve used the 70.3 plan on TrainerRoad. I wouldn’t do it again. I ended up having to heavily modify it to get the run workouts right and to avoid having too much intensity in an average 10-hr week. All that said, pushing the bike workouts and adaptive programming has been great. Having AI recalculate my FTP every four weeks or so and workouts adapted all the time was pretty great.
80/20 plan beginner plan. Works great. And you can level up in future plans.
Athletica is a great option. AI training but plenty of real life support in the background and on forums.
It will let you move sessions around, set fitness levels etc etc. Really customisable.
I can recommend MoTTIV. Took me through my first two years with one half and one full both years.
I haven’t tried it, but I wouldnt touch any training advice related to Triathlon Taren with a 10 meter pole
Welcome, congratulations and good luck!
As the first few replies have suggested, this is a bit like asking ‘what’s the best beer/car/band’. Everyone has an opinion and many may not be right for you.
You say you are a ‘middle age newbie’ but that doesn’t tell anyone if you are new to tri, or new to all of the disciplines. Ie you may have been a competitive swimming in your teens/college years, or still be a competitive cyclist, etc. And so any generic training plans will also have been written for a generic person that probably doesn’t really exist.
Equally, you may be going for a finish, or if you came from a competitive cycling/running background be a newbie looking to do ‘well’. You may be balancing a family and big work commitments, or be doing this as a focus where you don’t have competing demands on your time.
So having said all of that then I’d really recommend as a ‘newbie’ to reach out to your local tri-club. See what sessions/programmes they have. Chances are there are a couple of coaches there to chat to, see if you get on with one of them and then they can either sketch out a rough plan for you, or actually coach you. All depends on how much you want to spend.
But going back a few decades to my first IM (second year) then I paid less for coaching as someone paid for the flash bike, wheels, etc. The other person finished within minutes of me in the HIM we did in our rookie season, but I took 3 hours off him in the full. And I really enjoyed the journey.