Can triathlon training plans help you to attain your goals? We look at the benefits and disadvantages…
As one year draws to an end and another one looms into view, it’s a great time to set some Triathlon New Year’s Resolutions. As an athlete, this will probably involve thinking about how to get fitter, leaner and faster.
One thing that might be near the top of your list is a triathlon training plan. A day to day training schedule designed by a coach can help you to train more effectively for your key races. If you’re already using a triathlon training plan, here are a few tips to help you follow it effectively.
I followed a triathlon training plan for 15 of my 20 years as a triathlete and my fitness and race results certainly improved significantly from the point when I started. Within a year of properly planned training, I was winning local races and finishing on the podium at National age-group level.
Initially, my training plans were just pieces of paper, but over time I moved onto PDF’s and then pre-written plans using software such as Garmin Connect, Training Peaks or Strava. Mostly they were self-written, with inspiration taken from books and magazines.
Following a training plan is not always the same thing as having a coach. Unless you pay extra for that personal coaching support, all you’ll get is a pre-written plan, Generally, a training plan like this doesn’t talk back, make you feel good or tell you what to do when you’re sick, injured or stuck at work. And it’s not written specifically with you, your job, your likes and dislikes in mind either.
So clearly there are advantages and disadvantages to using a triathlon training plan and in this blog, I aim to explain the pros and cons. I’ll also give you some general advice on where to find one that might work for you.
Triathlon Training Plans Pro’s and Con’s
- No more guesswork, all your sessions are carefully planned.
- You benefit from a structured approach to training and recovery
- Your training progresses gradually as your fitness increases, reducing the likelihood of injury and burnout
- You’ll feel more accountable for missed sessions, so you’re more likely to train consistently
- A wider variety of workouts, all thoughtfully designed by an expert
- Workouts based on your Training Zones to help you train at the optimal intensity
Con’s
- You might end up training on your own more because you don’t want to compromise the planned workout
- Training feels more serious and less about “the fun of it”
- You’ll have less flexibility about your daily training, so it can be harder to fit around your job, family and other commitments
- Triathlon training plans are generally designed around one key race, rather than lots of small ones
