Ironman Training Plans

This training plan is specifically tailored to the Ironman training and racing distance and is designed for ALL levels, because it includes specific testing sessions to identify your customized intensities for each workout. It was written by 2008 Trainer of the Year Ben Greenfield, using advanced training techniques based on science and practical experience. This plan will bring you to the starting line of your Ironman event with superior fitness and confidence.

This is an Intermediate - Advanced level Ironman distance focused training plan intended for use by the competitive Ironman Age Group Triathlete with at least 3 years or more of training and racing experience and with at least one Ironman distance race 'under their belt'. Before starting this plan, it's recommended that the athlete complete at least 12 weeks of steady aerobic foundation training and perhaps have completed one or two races in order to establish their 'race legs'. In addition, this advanced program requires a high level of overall body conditioning and good biomechanics due to the high volume. It is expected that the athlete takes full responsibility for monitoring themselves for signs of overtraining or overuse and adjust the plan according to their own individual needs. A complete physical check up is recommended prior to starting this or any strenuous exercise program. Finally, it's important for all athletes to understand that successful triathlon racing requires a year-round commitment to training and it is advised that serious competitors work with a coach in regard to their annual training plan development.

The daily workouts in the plan are detailed with small ranges in order to accommodate individual time restraints. For example, a run workout might suggest 40-45 minutes of zone 2 (aerobic paced) running and a target distance of 5 miles. It is up to the athlete to hit daily training goals and to log them accordingly in the trainingpeaks software.

With the busy age group athlete in mind, most weekdays involve lighter training loads of one or two workouts a day and involve a time commitment of one to two hours (or slightly more) depending on which stage of the plan the athlete is in. Weekends typically have higher workloads and 'peak' at upwards of 8-10 hours of total training.

At times during the plan, Spinervals DVDs are recommended for use but are not required. Athletes can learn more about the Spinervals DVD series by visiting www.spinervals.com Also, training tips are available to everyone by visiting www.coachtroy.com

The workouts are given an intensity description by Zones. Advanced athletes can use heart rate, power (on the bike) or PE(perceived effort) to monitor their daily training intensities. In general, the intensities for this plan are as follows:

Zone 1: Recovery pace. Very low intensity active recovery 'shake the legs out'. Ideal after long/hard workout days and races. 'Noodle it'.

Zone 2: Aerobic/Blue pace. Low to moderate intensity training. PE of 6-7.5 (Scale 1-10, 10 being 100%). Steady conversation effort. HR is at least 10-25 beats per minute below LTHR (lactate threshold heart rate).

Zone 3: Aerobic Endurance/Gray pace. Moderate to hard training. PE of 7.5- 8.5. Harder efforts that can be sustained for long periods of time. HR 0-10 beats below LTHR

Zone 4: Threshold Training. Hard training at a pace sustainable for short durations. At and above 'race pace'. PE 8.5 - 9. Suffer a little. HR within 5+/- LTHR

Zone 5: V02max Training: Really hard training, PE 9-10. Suffer a lot. HR 10-20 bpm above LTHR

Prior to starting this program and again mid-way through the program, it is recommended that the athlete gets a metabolic test in order to set up target training zones effectively. If that test is not available or convenient, benchmark tests such as that found in Spinervals 27.0 (http://www.spinervals.com/products/item10.cfm), a 20 minute functional threshold test or for the run, a hard 3 mile effort (take avg. HR for the run) can be used to determine LTHR. (Example: If a 3 mile hard, race paced run yields an avg. HR of 150 bpm, this is your LTHR.)

By the end of this 16 week block of training, the athlete should have a high level of fitness required for the successful completion of the Ironman distance. More information, videos and articles about training and racing can be found online at www.coachtroy.com, with a bulk of articles available to members of the website.

We wish you luck with your training and racing this season and thank you for using this training plan and our other services. Please note that we also offer training camps and personal coaching and training plan development too as found at www.coachtroy.com. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@coachtroy.com

Train smart,
Coach Troy Jacobson
Official Coach of IRONMAN
www.coachtroy.com

This is a 24-week plan for the first-time Ironman triathlete created by Joe Friel using the principles in his books--The Triathletes Training Bible and Going Long. Over the course of 24 weeks the weekly volume builds from 10.5 to 14.75 hours. There is an R&R period every third week to allow for recovery and adaptation.
If you are starting this plan with fewer than 24 weeks remaining until your Ironman race you may jump in at any point along the way so long as you have been training consistently for at least the number of weeks you are missing from the schedule.
Most weeks include 3 workouts in each sport plus strength training once (last 12 weeks) or twice (first 12 weeks). It is strongly suggested that you own and know how to use a heart rate monitor while following this plan.
Should you have any questions along the way you may contact Training Bible Coaching at www.trainingbible.com.

This plan offers the minimal training you need for a successful Ironman finish. And by successful I mean finishing strong, not limping across the line and falling on your face!

The Level 1 training plan features 9 workouts per week, with relatively short workouts during the week and all of the long ones crammed into the weekends. In the odd-numbered weeks you’ll do 3 swims, 3 rides, and 3 runs. In weeks 2, 6, and so forth, you will do a brick workout instead of a ride on Saturday, which effectively adds a fourth run to your schedule. In weeks 4, 8, and so forth, you will do a brick workout on Sunday instead of a run, which effectively adds a fourth ride to the schedule.

The plan is 24 weeks long, which is the optimal amount of specific preparation time for an Ironman. Each phase – base, build, and peak – is 8 weeks long. Every fourth week is a recovery week and the final 2 weeks constitute a tapering period. There are three optional tune-up races scheduled: a sprint in Week 12, and Olympic distance event in Week 16, and a half Ironman in Week 20.

The Level 1 plan begins with 4,300 yard of swimming, 2 hours and 45 minutes of cycling, and 1 hour and 51 minutes of running in Week 1. It peaks with 8,600 yards of swimming, 8 hours and 50 minutes of cycling, and 2 hours and 45 minutes of running in Week 22. (Note that, including the brick workout, this is a week with 4 rides and 3 runs, so the total cycling time is higher and the running time lower than in weeks 21 and 23.)

17 Week Ironman with Power

This program is an advanced plan to take you to an Ironman in 17 weeks by using a power meter with the confidence that you can complete the race without difficulty.
This plan should be used for an athlete who has the following characteristics:
1. A very strong base of 4-6 months of consistent training
2. A strong swim or run background
3. They have trained for at least 10-12 hours per week
The schedule consists of 3-4 workouts per week in each sport, 1-2 days of strength training and core work too. The maximum volume is around 14-20 hours pretty consistently and some of the easier weeks are around 9 hours.

Requirements: You should be able to swim at least 2,000 yards. You should be able to bike at least 2 hours and be able to run three times per week with at least one of the runs being 60 minutes. If you are a weak swimmer or runner, you can certainly do the best you can on your weaker events but its best if you are already up to the base fitness levels suggested.