Masters (40+) Standard (10/40/5km) Duathlon Training Plans
"Super chuffed! A Bronze Medal at the Duathlon World Champs!"
Kate Cadbury - Standard Duathlon
Is A Masters Standard-Distance Duathlon Plan Right For You?
Our Masters Standard-Distance Duathlon 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 duathletes face different challenges to younger athletes. Families, busy careers and lack of sleep are just a few. That said, not all over 40 duathletes 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.
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 Standard Distance Duathlon 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 Standard Duathlon 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 Standard-Distance Duathlon 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 Standard Duathlon. 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 gym for your strength and conditioning (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 A Standard Duathlon
If you’re aiming to do a standard-distance duathlon, it’s sensible to do a sprint-distance duathlon as part of your buildup. A sprint duathlon is half the distance and will teach you a lot about what to expect on race day.
The biggest challenge of duathlon training is trying to fit it all in, on top of everything else in your life. To improve at both disciplines simultaneously, you need to train two or three times per week for each one. The workouts would be 20 minutes to 2 hours in duration. The best way to train for a duathlon is to carefully plan your training before you even start. Either by devising your own training plan or buying an expertly designed one.
Cycling Tips
Aim to cycle two or three times per week, or more if you’re experienced. One of your weekly rides should be focused on endurance, where you gradually build up to riding 2 hours in training. This will give you enough fitness for a standard duathlon, with a little to spare.
Another weekly ride should be more focused on speed, where you ride for an hour, including easy and harder efforts. For example, 4 x 10 minutes at just below your approximate 1-hour race pace, with two-minute recoveries (plus warm up and warm down). You should progress these rides over time, so your body keeps adapting to new stimulus.
You can either cycle outdoors in good weather, or indoors using a static bike or indoor trainer. 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 duathlon. This ensures you’re used to the feel and handling of your race-day bike.
Running Tips
Aim to run two or three times per week, or more if you’re experienced. Be sensible about building up your speed and distances, to avoid injury. Your two key sessions each week should be an endurance run and a speed run. For example, your endurance run could start off at 20-30 minutes, and progress gradually to 60-70 minutes over a period of several months (depending on your fitness and target event). These runs should be done at chatting pace.
Whereas your weekly speed session should involve a warm up, a warm down and some harder efforts sandwiched in between – such as 4 x 2 minutes hard with 90-second recoveries. You should vary and progress these speed sessions each week, so that your body keeps adapting to new stimulus.
In the last six weeks of your training, include some runs straight after cycling. And a few cycles straight after a run. This will get you used to the “heavy legs” feeling you’ll experience on race day, when you switch from run to bike, and bike to run.
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 running and cycling, but it’s advantageous if you can. These workouts improve your strength and flexibility, which leads to more efficient movement patterns and fewer injuries.
Using A Duathlon 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, it will take 16 to 20 weeks to get fit and ready for a standard-distance duathlon. The sooner you start, the more time you will have to build up your fitness gradually. Fitness adaptations will take weeks and months to occur, rather than days.
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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 Standard Duathlon Plans (6-24 Weeks)
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
BEGINNER
Perfect for your first standard distance duathlon- Premium, flexible plan
- Intuitive tracking software
- Help centre & FAQ support
- Email access to coach
- From just $3.29/week!
INTERMEDIATE
For seasoned duathletes- Premium, flexible plan
- Intuitive tracking software
- Help centre & FAQ support
- Email access to coach
- From just $3.29/week!
ADVANCED
Slash your race-times- Premium, flexible plan
- Intuitive tracking software
- Help centre & FAQ support
- Email access to coach
- From just $3.29/week!
Under 40? Check our Standard-Distance Duathlon non-masters plans.
Join Over 40,000 Successful Athletes
- WhitneyIRONMAN 140.6, November 2019I am an IRONMAN! I used the Intermediate IRONMAN training plan for my first IRONMAN, and it was a huge success! And the coaches were extremely helpful and responsive when I had issues. I broke my arm 12wks out from race day, and they helped me plan around that to ultimately make it to... >> read moreI used the Intermediate IRONMAN training plan for my first IRONMAN, and it was a huge success! And the coaches were extremely helpful and responsive when I had issues. I broke my arm 12wks out from race day, and they helped me plan around that to ultimately make it to the finish line...2hrs faster than I had hoped for for my first IRONMAN! << read less01 Dec 2019AndréanneIRONMAN 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 2019RamunasIRONMAN 140.6, November 2019Sub 10 hour Chose 36 week IM plan for my first IM. Excellent guidance through 9 months of training led me to 9 hours 43 min IM finishing time. It was very motivating to see progress during several first months. The plan kept me disciplined when FTP, CSS flattened, especially in the longest... >> read moreChose 36 week IM plan for my first IM. Excellent guidance through 9 months of training led me to 9 hours 43 min IM finishing time. It was very motivating to see progress during several first months. The plan kept me disciplined when FTP, CSS flattened, especially in the longest training months. Very user-friendly integration with Garmin and TrainingPeaks. Highly recommend Phil’s plan to anyone who does not have a personal coach. << read less15 Nov 2019
- Kyle MiersmaIRONMAN 70.3 & 140.6, 2019Easy to follow and great IRONMAN results!! Very structured, easy to follow training plans helped me to some great PBs for Ironman 70.3 and also used Phil's plan to train and finish my first full Ironman distance race!!! He takes the guess work out of it and with the Training Peaks partner, you can upload and swap... >> read moreVery structured, easy to follow training plans helped me to some great PBs for Ironman 70.3 and also used Phil's plan to train and finish my first full Ironman distance race!!! He takes the guess work out of it and with the Training Peaks partner, you can upload and swap dates to accommodate your busy life. << read less01 Sep 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 2020Jonas OlsvikVery satisfied I've got to say, I have been really sceptical to buying a general training plan and thought that the best option is hiring a coach but the price of coaching service have turned me off that. MyProCoach I have found to be the perfect middle ground with excellent training plans... >> read moreI've got to say, I have been really sceptical to buying a general training plan and thought that the best option is hiring a coach but the price of coaching service have turned me off that. MyProCoach I have found to be the perfect middle ground with excellent training plans and super helpful email service. This is honestly the best training plan I have ever used. Thank you Phil and your entire crew! << read less05 Apr 2020
- Nigel YeoIronman Hamburg July 2019Very Pleased Finisher This is the first time I have used an online training programme and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Phil's to anyone looking!! They keep you focused on your training and the plans are very well set out. Phil is always on hand for advice and help which is great, even when... >> read moreThis is the first time I have used an online training programme and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Phil's to anyone looking!! They keep you focused on your training and the plans are very well set out. Phil is always on hand for advice and help which is great, even when you pick up some slight injuries along the way. This ironman advanced plan got me to the finish line in Hamburg very happy indeed. Don't hesitate if you are looking you wont be disappointed. Many, Many Thanks...………………... << read less29 Aug 2019MartinsChallenge ROTHSUB 10 dream come true For 2nd year in a row I was following IM full distance Intermediate plan Did almost all the sessions prescribed (some skipped due to work and business trips). For the first Year (2018) did IM Austria 10:03 My goal was to go sub 10, I think I failed because of... >> read moreFor 2nd year in a row I was following IM full distance Intermediate plan Did almost all the sessions prescribed (some skipped due to work and business trips). For the first Year (2018) did IM Austria 10:03 My goal was to go sub 10, I think I failed because of weather (was hot day for running) and bit too much elevation gain on bike and nutrition. This Year (2019) I did the same plan 2nd year in a row And was able to fulfill my dream - going sub 10 Did Challenge Roth in 9:36 So thanks for the great training plan 🙂 Also in the process I went sub 3 in marathon (2:53) and two Years in a row was on podium in Latvian nationals in Olympic distance, and I did not do any special training for that, just this full distance plan (I did marathon in the middle of plan) Choose the right plan (that suits Your work, family and other commitments - I have 9am-6pm work and family), follow it and You will be FAST << read less23 Jul 2019Gemma Carter CollinsIronman 70.3 Weymouth, September 2019Manageable plans for a working mum I have been using My Pro Coach’s training plans since 2015, when I entered a standard duathlon - my first - a year after the birth of my second child. I’ve since followed My Pro Coach plans for sprint duathlon and half marathon - and, most recently, intermediate 70.3 training.... >> read moreI have been using My Pro Coach’s training plans since 2015, when I entered a standard duathlon - my first - a year after the birth of my second child. I’ve since followed My Pro Coach plans for sprint duathlon and half marathon - and, most recently, intermediate 70.3 training.30 Sep 2019
And, they’ve all delivered results I could not have achieved alone (2nd female overall in the Chilham Castle Duathlon, 1st female overall and course record for the Chilham Castle Sprint Duathlon, 3rd female overall for the Bedgebury Half Marathon and 5th female 40-45 at Weymouth 70.3 - my first ever 70.3.)
I was drawn to the plans, initially, because they are easy to follow and very manageable for a working-mum who still wants to train.
The most recent plan - Intermediate Half Ironman - has been my favourite yet. The sessions are quality over quantity, and this works well when I’m juggling so much else. I’ve loved how the My Pro Coach team’s experience is transferred into this plan and, without realising, worked me into a physically-ready position for race day. I was never fazed by the 70.3 task because I trusted their process!
I’m hugely hugely grateful. The support - personal, interested support - has been a huge motivator.
Thank you. << read less
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*on average athletes use their plan twice (our plans can be activated multiple times for free)
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