Chelanman Improved Performance Olympic Plan, 18 weeks

Author: Alissa Anderson

18 weeks - $49.99
Total Miles: 1200
Total Hours: 138
This eighteen-week olympic plan ranges in volume from 5.5 - 11 hours and is written for triathletes with at least one to two years of experience who want to train for improved performance on race day. It is Raise the Bar's "Improved Performance Plan" with a few customizations specifically for Chelanman, and will automatically load on your Training Peaks calendar on the correct dates.

The plan prescribes 3 swims, 3 bikes, and 3 runs per week. Some of the bikes and runs are combined into "bricks" (to practice transitioning to running immediately after biking). Workouts prescribe both time and suggested distances. In most cases, pay more attention to getting in the prescribed time. However, for the long bikes/runs, try to get in a minimum of the prescribed distance.

Monday is the rest day as this plan is written and there is a rest week every third or fourth week.

The workout intensities are prescribed using both RPE (perceived rate of exertion) and heart rate training zones. For more information about training using RPE and heart rate zones, please download the "Plan Details."

This is a periodized plan which progresses from a base building block (which builds volume and adds force skills, speed skills, and some zone 3 work), to a muscular endurance block (Threshold work), to an anaerobic endurance block (VO2 max work, Lactate tolerance reps), and finally to a race-specific block (very race-specific workouts). The race-taper is two weeks, with a gradual reduction in volume as well as duration of intensity work. Race week has a good balance of rest and smaller doses of intensity to keep you feeling fast and sharp.

Download description file
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Sample workouts:

Workout #1 : Day Off
Rest Day
Monday is the rest day for this plan--use it wisely. Catch up on some needed sleep, do a couple loads of laundry, have a cup of coffee with someone you don't see too often.... but respect the day of rest - it will pay off later.
Workout #2 : Run
Speed Skills, Accelerations
Planned Time: 0:40:00
15 minute jogging warm-up, including dynamic stretches and drills Then: Run 25 minutes at a comfortable pace and include 4 x 30 sec. accelerations with 2 min. recoveries Cool-down jog/walk 5 min. and repeat dynamic stretches.
Workout #3 : Swim
Endurance Swim (speed), 100's/50's
Planned Time: 0:40:00
1500 yards Warm up: 200 swim easy, 4 x 25 kick (10 sec. RI), 4 x 25 fingertip drill Main set of: 6x100 yards comfortable pace (15-20 sec. Rest Intervals, or RI's); 6x50 yards as 25 very hard/25 easy (15 sec. RI) Cool down: 200 easy
Workout #4 : Bike
Endurance Bike
Planned Time: 0:45:00
Bike at a comfortable pace. Stay in zones 1 - 2)
Workout #5 : Run
Easy Run, plus hill sprints
Planned Time: 0:30:00
Run in zones 1-2 for 15 minutes 2 x 8 second hill sprints (100% effort) up a steep, 8% grade hill. Recover completely between reps. zones 1-2 for remainder of time
Workout #6 : Bike
Speed Skills, Accelerations
Planned Time: 0:50:00
Ride for 50 min. on a flat course or indoor trainer at a comfortable pace (zone 2) with quick cadence (90 rpm). Drills: Isolated leg drills, 2 x 20 seconds on each side Main set: 4 x 30 second accelerations within the ride (2 min. RI).
Workout #7 : Swim
Endurance Swim 4x200/6x50
Planned Time: 0:45:00
Warm up:200 swim easy, 4 x 25 kick Drills: 4 x (25 drill down/25 swim back) Choose from fingertip drag, wide arm catch up, 3 pulls/6 kicks on side, sculling Main set: 4x200 yards at a comfortable pace (zone 2) and 6x50 yards at a moderate pace (zone 3); 15-20 sec. rest intervals (RI) Cool Down: 200 easy
Workout #8 : Bike
Endurance Bike
Planned Time: 1:00:00
On a rolling course, bike at a comfortable pace for one hour (zones 1 - 2).
Workout #9 : Run
ENDURANCE RUN
Planned Time: 0:50:00
Easy to moderate pace (Zones 1 - 3). Rolling terrain is best.