Masters (40+) Olympic Triathlon Training Plans
"Exceptional results, at 64 I'm racing as I did in my 40's. This year, I have won every race entered!"
Jan - Masters Olympic Triathlon
Is An Olympic Triathlon Masters Plan Right For You?
Our Masters Olympic Triathlon training plans are designed for athletes over 40 years old. Although plenty of younger athletes love them too.
The workouts are just as tough as with our normal training plans, but with more scheduled recovery days. And more strength and conditioning work, so you stay strong and flexible.
Masters triathletes face different challenges to younger athletes. Families, busy careers and lack of sleep are just a few. That said, not all over 40 triathletes require a Masters-specific training plan. Some find it easy to carry on with a normal training load, while others need to change their approach to training.
- Premium plans with coach support for any level
- FREE TASTER PDF versions of our shorter plans!
When to Consider Choosing a Masters Plan:
- Your training time availability is reduced with work and family commitments.
- You feel sleep deprived from daily stresses.
- Your body has different needs in terms of recovery, strength and flexibility training.
- You suffer recurrent injuries.
- You feel constantly fatigued or overwhelmed by your regular training.
- You keep catching colds and other viruses.
Can I Still Race Successfully?
Yes, you can. In fact, by following our Masters plans, you may well race better than ever. The key to success is training consistently, without missing workouts due to injury, fatigue or time limitations. It’s not always about “who can do the most training?”.
All our training plans adhere to the principle of “Progressive Overload”. Meaning that the stress placed upon your body gradually increases over time. By training consistently with regular recovery periods, you’re more likely to absorb the gradually increasing training loads.
How is a Masters Plan Different?
Rest and Recovery
Strenuous Olympic Triathlon training will cause muscle damage. As we mature it can (arguably) take longer for your muscles to adapt and remodel. This decline in rate of recovery will vary according to genetics and training history. Insufficient recovery time can lessen the effect of the workout and leave you more prone to injury. Masters Olympic Triathlon plans have more rest days each week (1 or 2 days per week) and a 1:2 ratio of active recovery weeks to hard weeks (this is 1:3 in regular plans). That means you’ll do two weeks of challenging training, and then take an active recovery week (with around half the training stress).
Strength and Conditioning
As we get older, our muscle density begins to decline, and it becomes crucial to counter the effects of age-related muscle loss.
When you choose to follow Phil’s Olympic Triathlon Masters plans, you can download the associated FREE Strength and Conditioning plan. These have two scheduled strength and conditioning workouts per week, designed to promote:
- Performance through improved strength and power.
- Increased muscle mass.
- Injury prevention by strengthening connective tissue, muscles, and tendons.
- Flexibility to maintain power through a full range of movement.
- Improved bone density.
- Fat-free body mass (a leaner physique).
All Strength and Conditioning workouts can be carried out at home. There are also alternative exercises if you prefer a gym based workout.
Training Intensities and Volume
Training intensely is the key to success in any sport, regardless of age. Strong performances come from having a solid base and workouts that maximise your anaerobic fitness, speed, power and skill. Evidence suggests that higher intensity work with less volume is beneficial for the Masters athlete training for Olympic triathlon. Shorter, more intense workouts will also free up valuable time for recovery and work/family commitments. Masters plans optimise your training time with the right ratio of volume and intensity relevant to each plan.
Approach to Training
As an older athlete with a full life, prioritising is an essential skill. Ideally schedule your week, planning times for family, training, work and sleep. You should also be prepared for the curve balls that cause chaos in your best laid plans. Consistency in training is arguably the most important trait amongst successful Masters athletes. Here are some ideas to help you stick to your regime:
- Use your commute as an opportunity to train.
- Add in strength and conditioning at home, with the kids if necessary!
- If you can’t do a whole session, do part of it, something is always better than nothing.
- Commit to a lunchtime workout.
- Double up sessions if necessary, for example run or bike to the pool or tack your strength and conditioning straight after a bike or run (save showering twice).
- Life will occasionally get in the way and if you need to miss an odd workout, let it go and move on. It happens to us all.
Top Training Tips For An Olympic Triathlon
Swimming Tips
This is most people’s weakest area, and the aspect they are most concerned about. If you’re not a confident swimmer, it’s a good idea to sign up for a series of adult improver swim lessons before you start a triathlon training program.
Once you can swim 400 meters or yards freestyle in a pool without stopping, you can then train on your own more, or in a group. Break up your swim workouts, into smaller chunks with regular rest periods. Slowly increase the duration of your workouts each week, so that you’re eventually able to swim a 2km session (with frequent short rests). By this stage you could also test yourself with a 1500 non-stop swim.
We suggest you always have some idea of what you’re doing, before you get in the pool. You’ll get more out of following a pre-planned workout, than you will by plodding up and down aimlessly. If you follow our training plans, we do all the thinking for you. We also include video swim drills, to help improve different aspects of your stroke.
If you’re thinking of doing a triathlon with an open water swim, it’s a good idea to practice swimming in that environment too. It doesn’t have to be every swim you do but aim for at least two open water swims before you race in open water. We include these workouts in our training plans too, in the lead up to race day.
Cycling Tips
Aim to cycle a couple of times per week (or more) and gradually build your longest rides up to 50 km (or 30 miles). This will give you enough fitness for an Olympic triathlon, with a little to spare. Most of your training can be done at chatting pace, but it’s also good to include some harder efforts.
You can either cycle outdoors in good weather, or indoors using a trainer such as a Wahoo KICKR. Many indoor trainers enable you to link to interactive cycling software like Zwift. This means you can ride with real people in a virtual environment – which makes it more fun. The workouts in our training plans can be exported to platforms such as Zwift, TrainerRoad and Garmin. However, it’s sensible to do at least some of your training outside on the bike you intend to use during your triathlon. This ensures you’re used to the feel and handling of your race-day bike.
Running Tips
Aim to run twice per week, but be sensible about your speed and distances, to avoid injury. For example, you could start off by running two miles and increase your distance by 1 mile per month until you build up to around 6-miles. In the last few weeks, you could include some runs straight after cycling, just to get used to the feeling. Do most of your running at chatting pace, even if it means you must include some walking. It’s also good to include some harder efforts but interspersed with plenty of easy stuff. Be patient with your running. Impatience leads to injuries, and consistency is your goal.
Strength Training Tips
We include two sessions per week in our FREE Strength and Conditioning plans. Not everyone can fit them in around their busy lives, on top of their swimming, cycling and running, but it’s good if you can. These workouts can help balance your strength and flexibility, which leads to more efficient movement patterns and fewer injuries. We suggest you only do strength work in addition to at least two swims, two runs and two cycles per week. Rather than instead of them.
Using An Olympic Triathlon Training Plan
Online training plans are for athletes who don’t feel the need for a personal coach, but who still want the structure and planning of an expertly-written training program. Research has shown that you are twice as likely to reach your goals if you train with a structured plan.
For a beginner who has some recent background in fitness or sport, we recommend you give yourself at least 16 weeks to get fit and ready for an Olympic triathlon. Ideally longer. The sooner you start, the more time you have to build up your fitness gradually. Fitness adaptations take weeks and months to occur, rather than days.
Compatible with over 100 apps & devices, including:
Compatible with over 100
apps & devices, including:
Head Coach & Founder: Phil Mosley
Why Use Our Training Plans?
Flexible, structured training for any level
Research-backed plans for any experience-level that fit around your lifestyle. From leading endurance coach Phil Mosley.
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On top of full help-centre & FAQ support (with videos), our coaches will quickly reply to any questions you have about your plan via email!
1. Choose from over 20 plans from 6-24 weeks long
With beginner, intermediate, advanced, masters (40+) and off-season plans – we’ll have the perfect one for you.
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About Phil Mosley
Phil is a recognised expert with over 20 years of experience, having featured on many endurance sports publications. He founded MyProCoach in 2010 to to offer the world’s most comprehensive range of online training plans, all designed to help you enjoy the same success that himself and his athletes have, while still making sure you have quality time for your family, friends and career.
Masters (40+) Olympic Triathlon Plans
WITH FREE EMAIL COACH SUPPORT
We use TrainingPeaks to deliver your plan – the world’s most popular endurance coaching platform. Free to use, TrainingPeaks is an online calendar that lets you record, track and analyze your training sessions.
It has a host of great features allowing you to get as in-depth as you like, including the ability to export your workouts to your training devices (Garmin, Zwift, Apple Watch etc) and follow them in real time.
TrainingPeaks enables us to set you in-depth training plans in a way that other formats cannot. Phil Mosley is a Certified Coach and one of the best-selling coaches on the platform.
Whenever you need help with your training plan, we aim to respond to your emails within 24-hours. Our Certified coaching team are on hand to answer any questions during the first use of your plan, plus a bonus three months after its completion.
During checkout, please also share your email so I can send you a series of 5 helpful emails to get you started.
As you can understand, some limits apply (for example, we can’t analyse your data or edit your training plan) but for anything else relevant to your training, we would love to help. You also have full access to our online help centre, with videos and articles to help you train effectively.
We have a huge range of plans that enables you to select one that best meets your goals, schedule and ability. If you’re not sure where to start, read on below for a quick overview.
What type?
Our Standard and Masters plans are designed to get you ready for your target event, while our Off-Season plans are designed to allow you to recover from a tough season whilst maintaining your well-earned fitness. Generally, Masters plans are designed for athletes over 40 years old, although plenty of younger athletes love them too. The workouts are just as tough as with our standard training plans, but with more scheduled recovery days. Some find it easy to carry on with a normal training load, while others need to change their approach to training.
What length?
For the best outcome, count back from your “A” target race date and simply choose a plan to fill that gap (you can still work in other, smaller races during your plan). Note that longer plans start easier and progress more gradually than shorter plans. The body responds best to constant, gradual progression with regular recovery periods, and that’s exactly what our plans are designed to give you!
What level?
Choosing the correct level will help you get the most out of your plan. Generally, if you’ve never done this event before or currently train up to a few times per week, you might consider a Beginner plan. Alternatively, if you’ve done this event many times before or currently train 5+ times a week, you might consider an Advanced plan.
But don’t worry too much – we also let you swap the level for free within 14 days of purchase, if you find it too easy/hard!
Visit the MyProCoach Help Center for further guidance and to contact our Certified coaching team.
Certainly! Our training plans allow you to easily swap a few days around each week to suit your availability. Or you can swap out a session, to attend a similar group workout instead. That’s fine. If you opt for TrainingPeaks Premium (from $9.92 per month) you can even drag & drop your workouts onto different days. We give a few recommendations on how to best do this in our help centre.
And you can also train for multiple events! Our training plans guide you up to your target “A” race, but it’s also good to include some “B or C” races along the way. Our help centre goes through the exact steps you should take to enable you to get full benefit, without detracting from your key focus
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For seasoned triathletes- Premium, flexible plan
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Join Over 40,000 Successful Athletes
- Ben HarrisIRONMAN 70.3, July 2019Go for it, you will not be disappointed. I was initially apprehensive about purchasing a generic training program, but had been recommended Phil and team. - after I purchased the plan, all fears were immediately removed as the plan included not only advice on tailoring it to include for B, C races etc, but guidance for missing sessions,... >> read moreI was initially apprehensive about purchasing a generic training program, but had been recommended Phil and team. - after I purchased the plan, all fears were immediately removed as the plan included not only advice on tailoring it to include for B, C races etc, but guidance for missing sessions, along with just other handy hints and tips. I've now smashed my race season goals, already getting the Sub 5hr 70.3 and even got the percentage I needed to attempt qualification for the ITU European Championships. - I'm in top form and looking forward to my A race of IM Vichy later this year! << read less01 Jul 2019KatSprint Triathlon, September 2019First Place! I’ve been using your plans for the last 2 seasons (both tri and an off-season half marathon last year). Results of my last race this weekend, thank you!18 Sep 2019Chris SharkeyIRONMAN 70.3, December 2019Thank you! Just wanted to thank you for the training plan and your advice through the plan. I have just completed the Bahrain IRONMAN 70.3 and had a wonderful day. I smiled all the way through it. It was my first triathlon and was delighted with a time of just under 6 hours.09 Dec 2019
- Su Yin OngFirst Ironman70.3! First ever half-Iron distance at the Ironman70.3 Goa, and managed to finish within my target time despite a steep segment on the bike and run. Finished strong without injury, thanks to Phil Mosley’s training plan. I especially liked the flexibility provided by the coaches, and the personal touch in correspondences.... >> read moreFirst ever half-Iron distance at the Ironman70.3 Goa, and managed to finish within my target time despite a steep segment on the bike and run. Finished strong without injury, thanks to Phil Mosley’s training plan. I especially liked the flexibility provided by the coaches, and the personal touch in correspondences. Looking forward to more training and improving on my 70.3 times! << read less23 Oct 2019Andres MorenoIRONMAN 70.3, October 2019Great 20 weeks of training I got the 20 Weeks IronMan 70.3 Beginner plan and it worked perfectly for me. This was my first ever half distance triathlon and I was able to get the right fitness for the event. The plan has a great structure, the intensity of the workouts is just right and... >> read moreI got the 20 Weeks IronMan 70.3 Beginner plan and it worked perfectly for me. This was my first ever half distance triathlon and I was able to get the right fitness for the event. The plan has a great structure, the intensity of the workouts is just right and the duration was good enough to still have time for other activities. I completed the race and I couldn't be more satisfied with the training plan. << read less24 Oct 2019Dan ForerIRONMAN 70.3, May 2020Quality: Intermediate 70.3 Quality Ironman 70.3 intermediate plan. I recommend it! I’m an amateur with 10yrs of competitive Tri and duathlon racing at world level in the past. I’m also experienced in training with no plan and a few extra kgs - this doesn’t work. I’ve trained in squads, on generic plans, dedicated... >> read moreQuality Ironman 70.3 intermediate plan. I recommend it! I’m an amateur with 10yrs of competitive Tri and duathlon racing at world level in the past. I’m also experienced in training with no plan and a few extra kgs - this doesn’t work. I’ve trained in squads, on generic plans, dedicated one-to-one coaching in that time with various approaches from sprint to full Ironman. So I’ve seen a lot what what is out there. This plan is quality. On reading I could tell it was very good. The difficulty as intermediate is well placed. Its suitable challenging for someone with racing background but who’s been out of the game for a short while too. The plan is centred around initial tests to baseline your ability, so in this regard it is personalised to your ability. As the athlete, you must still use your smarts to listen to your body when training but on this plan I felt the fatigue was always well managed. The plan in Training Peaks is brilliant. Full description of each session automatically customised to the required intensity using your previous test results. The plan is also periodised into build and peak phases with a clear distinction in the type of training in each phase with progressive adaptation of sessions within the phases. It’s very well thought out. You are also able to re-use the plan in Training Peaks which is ideal especially when unforeseen events occur like race cancellations and you need to restart or just aim for another race date. The results. I’ve seen significant improvements across swim, bike and run. Biggest gains being on the bike! I’ve also followed the strength and conditioning sessions in the plan so injury prevention and support for better person is handled by this aspect. The team is also very supportive and motivating via social channels. They really take an interest in the athletes who purchase their plans. So be sure to follow myprocoach on FB and insta. I highly recommended this plan, so get it and shift your attention to picking the race now! << read less21 May 2020
- AndréanneIRONMAN 140.6, September 2019I am so proud, I finished with a BIG smile! Hello to the whole coaching team @ myprocoach.net! A very quick note just to say a big THANK YOU! This Saturday, I just finished my first IM distance Triathlon in Almere (Nederlands) in 11:22. It was such an amazing event, and I am so proud I finished it with a... >> read moreHello to the whole coaching team @ myprocoach.net! A very quick note just to say a big THANK YOU! This Saturday, I just finished my first IM distance Triathlon in Almere (Nederlands) in 11:22. It was such an amazing event, and I am so proud I finished it with a BIG smile! I have followed your intermediate IM training plan and it guided me through a smooth, injury free (!) and constant evolution toward that big race. I wanted to ensure I share this and say a big thanks the whole team for getting me there, 😉 All the best and continue the great work! Andreanne << read less18 Sep 2019Sebastian BeharIronman 70.3, September 2019Great Plan I completed my first two IM70.3 (Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz 2019) with Phil's Intermediate IRONMAN 70.3 - 32 Weeks plan, both under 5 hours and 25 minutes. What’s great? Easy to follow, structured workouts, access to articles and tips, and that you can use it multiple times.10 Sep 2019Ignacio Vilas EguiletaIRONMAN, December 2019very well structured plans I have used already Ironman 140.6 and 70.3 plans from Myprocoach and I really like the thinking behind the training schedule and sessions. It is very well structured and designed to aid you to get a good balance in between training and recovery. And one of the greatest things I... >> read moreI have used already Ironman 140.6 and 70.3 plans from Myprocoach and I really like the thinking behind the training schedule and sessions. It is very well structured and designed to aid you to get a good balance in between training and recovery. And one of the greatest things I have realized this year when using the same plan for the second time is that it was updated automatically, so some workouts were new and different. That helps with getting motivation forward. On top of it, you have great and quick support by email from the Myprocoach team when needed. << read less07 Dec 2019
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