Thanks and appreciate it. I have been using TR for a little while and signed up for CDA 70.3 today for the 2020 race.
I bought 80/20 triathlon training book and was looking at the plans along with TR plans. I know I have a while just weighing the two plans. I need to start swimming again but been running and biking.
Few interesting podcasts over the last few weeks from outside the ask a cycling coach world.
Can thoroughly suggest everyone listens to last week team oxygen addict hydration special from the owner of precision hydration and last weeks IM talk about a Kona qualifier who had a heart attack during a race.
Dude, I would kill for a 2:11 bike split on 225W.
That is no chop liver!
I am signed up for 2020 penticton. Hope to see some of you there.
Update to keep myself accountable:
Well I am 44 weeks away from 70.3 CDA (signed up in tier 1 yesterday) and this morning scheduled myself two blocks of HV 1/2 distance base plans in the calendar. Figure for the next 18 weeks doing base will be good for me since I have been riding consistenly for a three months.
Going to start swimming once a week in a few weeks to start to get that going and work myself up since it has been a while since I have been in the pool.
Will continue to maintain some running 2-3 times a week but will have some fun for a while. Even though they are in the calendar now I am sure things will shift and been enjoying riding some sturctured stuff outside and more group rides.
Anyone do CDA? I have a roadie with clip ons and honeslty not a huge fan of the clip ons and prefer to ride in the drops.
Congrats on signing up! Now comes the fun. I’m 10 days out from my first 70.3 following 9 months of structured training. I followed SweetSpot Base LV I and II followed by Half Distance LV Base, Build, Specialty. Good luck with your training!
Nice and good luck. I am sure you will do well. I am one of the weird ones that like structured training. Being able to do them outside has been a bonus.
Thanks! I owe a lot to TrainerRoad.
So I know it only August, but there’s been a few threads about training up for 2020…should we have a separate “Ironman in 2020” thread? Should we rename this thread “…in 2019/2020”? Or make the thread title more generic “The Ironman training thread”?
0 voters
I kind of like the freshness of a new thread, but there’s plenty of great advice and stories here already.
New roll call coming next week, sorry! 
As a pure distant observer of this thread, I like the idea of an “annual thread”. This is already nearly 2000 posts, so a split makes sense to me.
I can help with moving posts over if desired (like ones aimed at 2020 events).
We can include a pointer to this thread from the lead post in the new year thread for quick access. No matter the decision from you all, I’m happy to help however needed.
No worries
Oh what a difference a day makes 
Not only did we both get offered slots, we have now signed up for Penticton.
I was really happy with using the half distance TR program for Calgary 70.3, even though I ended up repeating build twice rather than using the specialty block because got somewhat in the way. In particular, I felt pretty well prepared for the run and swim, without having to really change anything from the default plan. Looking forward to trying the full distance plan - likely will use the low volume version.
Ten days out from Mont Blanc Man I’m wondering how to say “On your left” in French?
Have you gotten a bike fit with your bike setup with the drops? There is a huge aero saving if you compare the clip-ons vs the drops, so it would be highly suggested to get use to them. In my opinion, over the course of a 90km ride, clip-ons, if set up correctly, will be much more comfortable that using the drops.
Yes I have and think since I have been riding without them I am out of practice. Mainly was asking if anyone has done cda so i can get an idea of the course. I need to check it out online.
“Apprendre à nager plus vite!”
So my very basic French would just have me yelling “a gauche”. You’re way too fancy!
What are some tips for saddle comfort for long steady state (z1/z2) rides over 2.5 hours? I will start to do them again if I cannot ride outside. I have done some in the past and anything over 2 I start to get a little uncomfortable.
I believe some on this forum have done 3+ and even 5 hours on the trainer. How do you do it?
Assuming that you are comfotable and properly fit for riding outside at similar distances and times:
My first recommendation is to add motion to your trainer setup. You can go all the way to a Rocker Plate, or even make simple version with foam pads.
Try to incorporate a standing break routine if possible. It does mean breaking from the aero position, but this can help extend comfort and time in the saddle. I find this a bit easier and more natural with the addition of motion from #1 above. But either way, getting up for even 10-30 pedal strokes in a 2, 5, 10 minute pattern can really help. Experiment and find a timing that works for your intervals and preference.
Well I won’t sugar coat it, it can be a real struggle sometimes, in a way you don’t get on the road.
A good WiFi signal and GTN, GCN, Eurosport subscription, a variety of endurance sport YouTube and old Ironman races.
Two or three bottles of fluids, electrolytes and energy, plus any snacks from the house.
Two towels.
I get out of the seat and simulate climbing every hour, something I do now racing too, whether I want to or not just for a minute or two.
I alternate aero and upright as well, maybe every five or ten minutes, or whatever interval there is, again whether I feel I need to or not.
The problem is that “seat fatigue” builds up and once you are struggling, it’s too late.
Worst case if you’re bailing out, have your trainers nearby - if you bail, you have to put a 10k run in!