So I've laid out my goals and my A races, now it is time to figure out how to get there.
For the last 5 years I have been entirely self-coached. I've read a bunch of books and followed portions of some training plans, but I have never followed a training plan as it was written or had a coach.
I thought long and hard last year about hiring a coach, but at the end of the day I couldn't do it. I like learning and planning my training, but I really want to have a break through season, so I think I found a solution that will work for me.
Endurance Nation is an online triathlon team lead by two coaches. Last year at IMWI I met Rich and Patrick and a few athletes and I thought it might be a good fit for me. What appeals to me most is that the focus is education and having a team. I did buy a training plan from them and it is the first time I have every followed a plan, but I really like being able to talk with others in the forums and learn from each other. I'm going to try and follow the plan as close as possible, but I don't think it will last long before I start making adjustments.
Anyway, I have divided my year up into a few portions:
- Out Season -- Nov through Feb
- Half Ironman Prep -- Mar through May
- Ironman Prep -- Jun through Aug
For each of these three periods I am going to follow a gradual build up of intesity and/or volume, and then take a week or two off after each to recover and recharge before starting the next.
During the Out Season and Half Ironman Prep, I will be doing other races allong the way to test my progress, but this year I am not racing at all during the Ironman Prep this year. Instead I am going to speed the full 12 weeks prior to IMWI focusing on excuting my training and recovering.
