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plan or no plan
PreachSwanson
Member, Rooster Endurance Member, Rooster Endurance Officers
in Main
So I am interested in hearing about how you all prepare for racing... Do you follow a plan such as the ones on Training Peaks and the like or do you just kinda make it up as you go?
I have done both personally with mixed results from both. Without a plan I have always finished the races and at times inspite of my training and at other times with amazing results. With a plan I have gone my fastest but I have also struggled to stay with the plan due to bordom or a desire to mix more in there than the plan allows.
So what are your thoughts, good or bad... I have not picked my way to train this season yet but I have to soon... races are on the horizon.
I have done both personally with mixed results from both. Without a plan I have always finished the races and at times inspite of my training and at other times with amazing results. With a plan I have gone my fastest but I have also struggled to stay with the plan due to bordom or a desire to mix more in there than the plan allows.
So what are your thoughts, good or bad... I have not picked my way to train this season yet but I have to soon... races are on the horizon.
I'm an angel with an incredible capacity for beer
Comments
I've used the Don Fink plans in the past to great success. I've also made up my own plans. the problem for me comes when I don't put intelligent thought to it and wing it day by day or week by week. that's when I have found I hurt myself.
When I have more available cash I'll probably go with a coach.
Nathan Kiser
Just FYI, you... are also less than mediocre. -TheActualPaulo
Co-Host of The Triathlon Preview Show
Follow @ZachTris2Run
danimal
There's also something to be said for being able to trust that the work you've done together for planning and execution when it comes to race-day. Nothing can make up for you racing like a dumbass (something which I know all too well), but when you're in one of those negative spots during an event, being able to say "trust the work. You have the legs. You just need nutrition right now, that's why you're thinking so negatively."
I really enjoy the process, so to speak, just as much as the actual racing. So being able to put in the work on a daily basis is fun.
I could theoretically provide one-on-one coaching, as well as a 16-to-20 week plan, depending on interest.
Bike Crash Free Since August 4th, 2014
1. Pick training volumes I feel like I need to be able to do (e.g. 4hrs bike, 3hrs run, 2hrs swim, 1hr strength/flexibility)
2. See if I can schedule times to do all activities
3. Attempt to complete full schedule for a couple months at 0 intensity, maximum completion rate, to see if I can do it time-wise (and to see if I am able to enjoy training again)
4. Add phases/blocks to a rough plan
5. Fit workout types into the weekly schedule (block 1: hill runs monday, long interval swims tuesdays, etc)
6. Figure out workout specifics the day of (or day before) based on what partner(s) (if any) can make it out that day. Often planning the workout during the warmup or on the drive to work, etc.
Over the fall I was able to manage just about everything except for the strength work and some of the biking (I'm going to have to get better with that in the winter/spring or I'm gonna die out there). One goal was to not feel like I was just training for a specific event or season, but rather create a schedule that can just blend into normal life for myself and the family. Like 'daddy rides his bike saturday mornings', tues/thurs are swim days, etc. Another was to not spend too much time planning specific workouts.
For me, this seems to be the ideal mix of structure and free play: I don't have to think much about *when* I'm going to do each thing, and I can customize a workout on the spot if I want, based on how I feel that day. Because my main goal was to make sure that I'm having fun with it - there are so many sports out there that it would be absolute idiocy to do 'exercise as a sport' if I wasn't enjoying myself.
PS - I agree with @danimal about 'make up days'. If I stay up too late and/or drink too much beer on Friday night to fit in my Saturday workout without disrupting the family's day, then my punishment for myself is that I miss that workout this week. Too bad, so sad.
PPS - I like Sutto's approach re: doing strength work 'in-sport', but I want to do some extra stuff so TW and I can work out together a couple times a week ( #yogapants )
That said, the basic movement is towards a whole lot of base and HIITs, with very little "tempo" work except during the 8-week specific period pre-race. Avoid the gray zone!
Bike Crash Free Since August 4th, 2014
It's not really a plan since I just do what I feel I can fit in each day with work and family.
I know this volume is okay up to half ironman but to go farther or faster I am sure a better structure would be beneficial.
I'm an angel with an incredible capacity for beer
I decided to make a strong commitment to swim this off-season so I swim at least 4 days a week, usually around 1700+ yards (depending on my day). One of my big problems is an inability to get up early to go to the gym. If I could get up , my volumes might be higher. Then again, right now, I'm not worried about volume, rather time in the pool. I was never a competitive swimmer so being in the pool this much has been really really good for me.
Once I have a goal (signing up for races is key for my training), then things will come together more. Generally, I just train but a race will really target me. Strength training is something I enjoy so I'm doing it now but it'll get dropped as I ramp up volume. Then, I might start looking for a real plan or coach. I'll prolly start with a plan, something like Crowie's to structure me more. Re-evaluate next year.
Run is super, super tender right now (frature is still kinda, sorta, not-really healed), so I'm at 10m/mi pace for 20 min + 5/wk, 2x/wk.
Swim is with a coach, but he's really just doing form analysis for me. Gives me plans to execute every two weeks after a session, I swim 3-4x/wk.
I think there's a simplicity to going "light on planning" and just training by feel that all the complex "this today, then rest exactly so many hours and do this other workout, then double brick it with..." stuff just can't match for keeping your stress level low, but still accomplishing what you need to.
TRS East
I have been coached before, I thought it was ok but though I could do better. maybe it was the coach? maybe it was me? I also bought a plan off TP one year, didnt like it at all and wound up using it as a guideline.
Best piece of advice is to use Joe Friels book, the training bible, paired with your best triathlon. (there is a lot of layover) its a great place to start if you havent done so already.
The beauty of making your own plan is that you can change things and not feel that guilty. I am always moving workouts around to fit my schedule and needs week to week. I create a 4 block week of all my workouts(ideal places and times) then as each week approaches things come up and I move some things around.
Let me know if you have any questions...Sorry for the LONG post.
village idiot
I have thought about a coach but the only triathlon specific ones I've met around me lead a team that seems a little too much like a bunch of DB's than I care to spend time with. I also tried a TP plan but only felt guilt for going off plan (even though I was on it for 80% of the time). Just some additional back story.
I'm an angel with an incredible capacity for beer
I had a coach in the past which was great and very useful, however being the cheap f*ck with a limited budget that I am, I'm now mostly self coached, which works OK, but I'm definitely not progressing as much as I did before. Instead of completely winging it, I have a rough weekly workout schedule I stick to (which helps the family know what to expect/plan for) which I fill out with various sessions I've found helpful in the past. Given that this is an "off" year for me, with the arrival of a 2nd kid, I just couldn't see making the sacrifices to following (and making the most of) a specific plan giving I'll be racing so much less.
seems like kind of an asshole
Great Uncle, Average Father, Mediocre Triathlete
@Scheck48
I'm an angel with an incredible capacity for beer
So plus side of a coach and legitimate plan: you don't have to think, just do. And growing up playing team sports the accountability is helpful.
Cons: Not being able to take a day off whenever I feel like it. (which I guess swings both ways) no other real cons as far as I can tell to having a plan and coach.
Also I should note I am doing my first Iron Distance and felt compelled to get a coach so I could have a decent showing and note just be some fuckboy out there doing it to do it.
Sean Murnane - East Coast Hooligan
Agree with you on the plus side of coaching in that it removes the thinking out of it. Definitely a plus! I'm in the same boat as you in that the day I do sign up for a full distance race I'll be getting a coach again to make sure I don't destroy my body in the process.
seems like kind of an asshole
When I started I just did workouts that people were mentioning on ST. But I saw real gains when I finally had a structured plan to (mostly) adhere to.