Thanks Joe, I guess we’ll see!
I followed the Ironman Training 2020 thread but didn’t post. I plan to be more active in the 2021 Thread. I’m a runner who converted over to triathlon. I’m currently training for two local 70.3’s (5/23 and 7/31)—which will be my 3rd and 4th attempt at the distance. My first 70.3 was in 2016 and second was in 2018. I’ve been training consistently over the past few years, but just haven’t raced much recently. Long-term goal is full iron, but I’m waiting until my three young children are a bit older and I can commit the appropriate time to training for that distance–especially those key weekend long rides. I figure I have lots of room for improvement at the 70.3 distance in the meantime!
I got a Vasa SwimErg in February and use it with TR three times a week. There is a TR Vasa team that has a variety of structured Vasa workouts for TR–including a 12 week program of workouts (originally created by Vasa) for triathletes.
I’ve seen some good improvements in Vasa Swim FTP since starting the structured training. However, I’m a weak swimmer overall with a lot of room for improvement on the technique side—which leads me to believe that I won’t see the full benefits of the Vasa training translated to the water until I fix some of my technique flaws. (I rarely make it to the pool these days unfortunately.)
While I’m not sure what your typical swim volume has been, I’m guessing you could at least maintain (if not build) swim fitness by doing the structured Vasa workouts at least 3x a week.
Back here for 2021.
Currently scheduled for a sprint and olympic in the spring, a full in the summer (IM Lanzarote), the BC bike race in July, and then a half in August. I’m really hoping that IM Lanzarote still happens, as all of the other currently scheduled full ironmans are either sold out or don’t work with my summer schedule.
Anyone have any tips on transporint a bike to/from Lanzarote from the US? I believe I can fly with it, but ideally I’ll do some traveling after the race (we’ll see how that plays out with COVID) and would prefer to not travel with my tri bike.
Asking for a friend 
at what age do you think it will become manageable?
Hi all!
I have a 70.3 on June 6 as my only planned race for the year (moved from a canceled 2020 event).
I’ve done a bunch of fulls and 70.3 in the past, before taking some years off due to lack of motivation. Not sure I picked the right moment to come back, given this past year events 
.
Nonetheless, I benefitted from the extra time to really increase my indoor training volume and that led my to TR. Now I’m semi-addicted to the whole platform (app, training plans, podcast, forum). So much so that a few weeks ago I even fulfilled a long dream of mine and bought my first TT bike
IM Austria Karnten on 4th July as my first full distance race and 70.3 Slovenian Istria in September; both defferals from 2020.
I see a lot of advices regarding the strength trainings profit.
I’m on mid-volume tri plan and it’s tight enough from the TSS perspective, at least for the moment.
Wondering how do you incorporate strength training in your plans and how well does it work?
I had some great success last year with BarryP so I’m going to keep that going. (Even set a 5k PR during a tempo run.) It seems to pair quite well with the TR bike plans as I get some pretty good intensity there.
Yes I think you are right. When I did it that was the method that paired nicely with the bike training. Also on a personal level when training for IM I enjoy more the volume rather than the intensity and it was perfect for that.
Great question–and I’m not sure I know the answer. My kids are 6/4/1 right now. I currently do the bulk of my training in the early mornings as I try to keep my training as invisible as possible to my family. This caps my morning workouts to 1:45-2 hours as I’m usually done by 6:30am so that I can assist the wife with the morning family routine. My hope is that as my kids get older and more self-sufficient, I’ll be able to extend those morning workouts on weekends without putting much of a burden on my wife.
I have considered taking some Fridays off work to fit in the longer workouts (long rides/bricks) required for full distance training, which could allow me to step up to the full distance a bit sooner.
Folks who have trained/raced full distance with young kids:
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How did you fit in the longer rides/bricks?
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How old were your kids when you stepped up to full distance training/racing?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
I tried higher intensity 3/wk running last winter, and saw good results. Now I’m trying the 321 easy running approach paired with SSB MV.
I think in order to do proper long course triathlon training with small children at home, you need a GREAT network/village of support. Otherwise, don’t sweat the long stuff. I had the help of in-laws when my son was a toddler when my wife was working full time.
My secret weapon for half the year is a camper on a lake. Our closest friends and family are also in the campground. There is no problem leaving for a 5 hour ride when there is swimming and boating and other kids to constantly play with. My son is now 11 so it’s even easier than the Summer I did IM when he was 9. The lake is also perfect for swim training and there is a YMCA not too far away that I can use (pool) during inclement weather. Going to the lake for the weekend is a win/win. Going for a week is a training camp.
Great advice - finding the ‘win-win’ scenarios makes things much easier and more fun.
Hi guys! Nice to see the new 2021 thread already posted.
I wish you all the best for the new season!
Personally, in this year that (I assume) will as well be uncertain, I’d like to switch my focus to the PROCESS instead setting ambitious goals (i.e.: 70.3 in under X:XX). In that case, I’m setting goals based on total work. Let’s see what you think:
- Bike > 350h
- Run > 150 h
- Swim > 80h
- S&C > 75h
It’s ambitious given I’m averaging 500h these previous years, but I’d like to focus again on tri, and not only on the bike.
Great to get feedbacks from others!
On my side, I’ve got twins and they are 20 months. I’m in charge of the morning routine as th GF starts work at 7. Which means that morning workouts before wake up time are near to impossible for me.
When I trained for swissman this year here is what I was doing.
Run was following BarryP so I’d be running to or from work every morning/night. The bike would be more tricky but I have the luxury of having some wattbikes in the gym at work so I’d squeeze the short workouts at lunchtime. For the longer ones, I’d do that on the Friday morning which I started to take off in the build phase ( 3/4+ hours trainer workout or long bricks) and then work from home in the afternoon. I’d do the long run on the Sunday morning when I’m off the morning routine and it was the only long session of the weekend.
Swims were a luxury though…
Long story short I was overly optimistic that it was sustainable but when the race got cancelled I was actually relieved and I’m not keen to start again long distance until the kids are able to get out bed and pour some cereals and milk into a bowl!!
Thanks very much for refreshing @JoeX - I’m back in for IM Copenhagen this year and will start training in earnest in a few weeks I reckon. I’m also planning on doing an Olympic and maybe a half-IM in the spring to see how I’m trending.
I put Copenhagen into Plan Builder back in October-ish and am heading into the Full Distance Build phase now. Then dropping back to Base and doing another Build and Speciality after that. I’ve been sticking to the bike workouts but subbing in my own run and swim sessions which seems to be working out fine at the moment.
For anyone UK based, worth checking out where your nearest lido is. Outdoor (heated) pools can still open and I’ve found a couple of spots in London to keep the swimming ticking over.
I think for swimming, I am just going to be doing Swim Bands early on the year, then I think I will be able to start using my own pool in early April.
I just saw yesterday a friend was at Charlton Lido, I might give it a crack next week. Not looking forward to getting out though…!
Are there any age-groupers out there who broke the magic 10 hour mark?
I’d love to hear their advice on how and how much they train, structure, tactics etc.