Source
r/triathlon•
ultimateplayer44

Self created or purchased training plans?

Do you use a self created plan as guided by something like The Triathletes Training Bible, or do you utilize a purchased plan?

I am interested in hearing how you get/create your plans and how many years you have been doing it. I trained for my first triathlon this past season and did poorly in the swim, very well on the bike, and OK in the run. I feel like I want to take another step this season, but not sure if I want to use another prepackaged plan or try to create my own.

Posted Dec 18, 2016, 2:24 AM UTC

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2legwanderer•

I used the Triathlon training bible as a starting place and chatted with some coaches and other triathletes. I essentially went from the couch to a full Ironman, so I did lots of base and high volume low hr training. It sounds like you are sticking to shorter course, so make sure you train to your races.

I wrote my own plan in the end, it worked well, but there needs to be a super high level of personal motivation and accountability. Try to train with other folks!

4
ultimateplayer44OP•

You are correct that I plan to focus on shorter distance (Sprint and Olympic). My non-sport commitments (family and work) limit my training hours, so I want to excel in the races I do compete.

I have very good motivation, as I missed only 3 workouts in 2016 through 24 weeks of plans. I just wonder if I create my own workout regiment, I could miss some of the nuances that a coach created workout could provide and not realize max potential

1
mapleleafroots•

I completed my first half Ironman last year and used this program for training. The plan has a basic explanation of workout types in the intro which was helpful. I also read the Complete Triathlon Book by the same guy, Matt Fitzgerald, which covered more topics including strength training and injury prevention. I had previously only done a sprint triathlon in 2013 for reference. My original goal for the half was just to survive, but throughout training that goal evolved into finishing under 6:00 hours. My final time was 5:57. I was thrilled. I'm now training for the full in April 2017 using the same plan. The current goal... survive.

3
FairDestroyer•

I do self training plans. I read a fair amount of individualized training books and combine the three sports. I'll do paid coaching once I'm at KQ level which I'll never reach. So I'll keep chugging along and keep my self satisfaction level 100 because I'm doing all myself. Getting faster one day at a time.

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ultimateplayer44OP•

Do you pull workouts from the various sources and incorporate into your plan, or did you use a free one as a starting source and then manipulate accordingly?

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punsational•

I've been interested in a coach, because I feel like I'm winging it. Started tri this year, got to a half ironman. Wondering if I can keep it up on my own to do a full ironman. I don't see myself paying for a plan though

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2legwanderer•

That may be true, but I think your biggest battles are consistency and the ability to push yourself mentally. I would encourage you to holler at some of the folks in your Triathlon community locally and see what they are doing.

I think as long as each workout has a purpose and your are totally devoted to the purpose of each workout, you can make your goals happen. In my opinion, the best thing you can do is train intentionally instead of just workout. I think that is what a planned workout will bring to the table. Set a goal for each session and crush it.

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butcherkk•

I have paid for one for 4 months now. I have very mixed feelings.

I went with a cheap opiton i pay around 60 dollars a month. Which will give me a program, i can talk to the coach every 14 days. But i have not been good at talking to the coach. Also im a bit injured so the running workouts are too long (you enter how many % of them you complete). I sadly also find myself not adhearing to the swim workouts as i forget to print the plan and bring it to the pool. For the biking im currently using trainer roads, and it is so much easier to just follow that than going freestyle on the trainer and follow the notes he has given.

So in some parts, i could do better at adhearing, but i also feel like i know my body best when to skip workouts, how much running my injured body can handle etc. things that would be more individualized with a more expensive coach i would guess. I'm hanging on a month or 2 more, just to see if i can get myself to follow it more closely.

But in general i think i would by now be able to self coach me to the finish line. Either way i think you either have to go self mode or find a coach where the program is very individual, where you talk about how the body is feeling etc.

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