Training for your first IRONMAN 70.3® or sprint triathlon this year? Or maybe you’ve done a few IRONMAN® triathlons but need more structure in your training to achieve a new personal best time?
Training plans can be a cost effective way to leverage the knowledge of an experienced coach without the financial cost and commitment of individual coaching.
Here are some considerations when choosing your next run or triathlon training plan:
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Suitability. Do the goal(s) of the plan match your goals? Does the author’s training philosophy align to what you believe?
Structure. Does the plan follow a purposeful progression from start to finish? In other words, does the plan have a sound method to how the workouts are written for each week?
Author. Who is the plan author? What relevant experience and formal education does the author have? Does the author simply have a certification or do they have an advanced degree in exercise science?
Support. Does the plan provide you with the support you need to be successful? Does the plan author provide documentation or videos that explain the terminology and the workouts? Can you email the plan author with any questions about the plan?
Look and Feel. Do you like what you see? Does the plan appear professional and well-written? Is the plan available online and accessible via your smartphone? Can you get your workouts emailed to you?
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Truthfully, there are many good plans available. The key is to find the one(s) that best meet your needs and goals. Although cost should be a factor, making an investment in the right plan is more important.
As a disclaimer, we do offer online Training Plans for triathlons from Sprint to IRONMAN® distance and run races from 5k to marathon distance. All of our plans offer the features mentioned above.
Good luck and happy training!
David B. Glover, MSE, MS, CSCS
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Please note: IRONMAN® and IRONMAN 70.3® are registered trademarks of World Triathlon Corporation (WTC).
