When it comes to IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon training, not all workouts are created equal.
In this feature, we reveal four of the most effective workouts. Master these four essential sessions, for your best race ever. Be warned that they may take you several months to build up to.
1. IRONMAN 70.3 Bike Reps
- Why? This trains your body to cope with the intensity of an IRONMAN 70.3. You should start off with a few efforts and build up over time.
- How? Ride at around 76 to 82% of your maximum heart rate. If you have a power meter, aim for 75 to 85% of your FTP. This requires real focus but is sustainable for several 30-minute efforts in training. You should just about be able to talk.
- When? Once or twice per week. Build up to 3 or 4 efforts of 30-minutes each.
- Tip: To do this session properly you’ll need an open stretch of road without many traffic lights or junctions. Alternatively, do this session on an indoor bike.
- Example Session: 3 x (20 mins at 76-82% of Max HR (75-85% of FTP) with 5 min recoveries). Include a 15 minute warm up and warm down.
2. The IRONMAN 70.3 Long Ride
- Why? This trains your body to cope with a 90km ride. You need to get to a point where this distance feels manageable in training.
- How? Aim to ride at around 65 to 70% of maximum heart rate. This requires some focus but should feel fairly comfortable. You should be able to hold a conversation throughout.
- When? Once per week is enough, typically at the weekend. Start off with shorter distances and build up to 90km (this might take you several months). Ideally, you want to ride the full 90km two or three times in training before you race.
- Tip: Practice using the nutrition you’ll use on race day. For example, use the exact gels or bars you have planned for your big race.
- Example Session: Ride 3 hrs at 65 to 70% of maximum heart rate.
3. Threshold Run
- Why? Popularised by esteemed running coach Jack Daniels, these threshold running reps help to raise your lactate threshold in order to help you run longer at a faster speed.
- How? You’ll need to Determine your Run Threshold Pace.
- When? Once per week. You could also incorporate your long run into this session, by gradually increasing the warm up and warm down.
- Tip: Don’t run too fast. The idea of this workout is to stick to your threshold pace (as defined in the point above). If you go too fast, you will lose the specific training benefit.
- Example Session: Warm up: Run easy for 15-minutes. Main Set: 4 x (6 mins at threshold pace with 60-second jog recoveries). Warm down: Run easy for 10-minutes.
