Masters (40+) Long-Distance Duathlon Training Plans
"Thank you! I finished 3rd in my age group on Turkish Triathlon Federation Cross Duathlon Race."
Serter Büker - Duathlete
Is A Long-Distance Duathlon Masters Plan Right For You?
Our Masters Long-Distance Duathlon training plans are designed for athletes who are over 40 years old. But, they’re also perfect for time-crunched athletes, regardless of age.
The workouts are just as challenging as with our normal training plans, but there are more recovery days. And more strength and conditioning work, so you get strong and mobile – no matter what your age.
Not all over-40’s athletes need a masters plan though. It depends on your individual needs as an athlete, and also your circumstances. We’re all different.
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 Long-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 Long-Distance 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 Long-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 Long-Distance 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 Long-Distance Duathlon
The biggest challenge of long-distance duathlon training is trying to squeeze 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. Experienced duathletes often train 8 to 12 times per week, whereas beginners can improve on 5 workouts per week. The workouts would typically be 30 minutes to 5 hours in duration, depending on your fitness level and the kind of event you’re targeting. A good place to start is by getting a training plan. People who follow training plans have been shown to be twice as likely to succeed in reaching their goals.
Cycling Tips
Aim to cycle at least twice per week – ideally more. One of your weekly rides should be focused on endurance, where you gradually build up to riding 3 to 5 hours in training (depending on the event you’re targeting).
Another weekly ride should be more focused on speed, where you ride for 1 to 2 hours, including easy and harder efforts. For example, 5 x 10 minutes at 90% of your 1-hour race pace effort, with three-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 let you wirelessly 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 your speed and distances, to avoid injury. Your two key sessions each week should be an endurance run and a speed run. Your endurance run could start off at 40 minutes, and progress gradually to 90 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 4 minutes hard with 2-minute 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 Long-Distance 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 20 to 24 weeks to get fit and ready for a long-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.
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.
The world's best training app
We use TrainingPeaks for personalised training zones, trackable progress and so much more - on any major training device.
Certified coach support (rated 4.9/5)
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 32 plans from 9-39 weeks long
With beginner, intermediate, advanced, masters (40+) and off-season plans – we’ll have the perfect one for you.
2. Activate your free TrainingPeaks™️ account
A flexible calendar, targeted training zones, trackable progress and so much more – on any device.
3. Get your online plan and start ticking off sessions!
Keep motivated with any of your training questions answered quickly by our team of certified coaches!
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 Long-Distance Duathlon Plans (9-39 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
Trial Us With Our FREE TASTER Plans! (8- And 12-Week PDFs Only)
- No coach support, personal intensity zones or tracking software
- Standard (non-masters) version only
BEGINNER
Perfect for your first long-distance duathlon- Premium, flexible plan
- Intuitive tracking software
- Help centre & FAQ support
- Email access to coach
- From just $2.98/week!
INTERMEDIATE
For seasoned duathletes- Premium, flexible plan
- Intuitive tracking software
- Help centre & FAQ support
- Email access to coach
- From just $2.98/week!
ADVANCED
Slash your race-times- Premium, flexible plan
- Intuitive tracking software
- Help centre & FAQ support
- Email access to coach
- From just $2.98/week!
Under 40? Check our Long-Distance Duathlon standard plans.
Join Over 40,000 Successful Athletes
- KatSprint 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 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 2019Ben 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 2019
- Rudi VittoriIRONMAN 70.3, July 2019Great coach and great support organization I'm 63 years old and on 26th of may I completed my first IronMan 70.3 in St. Pölten (Austria). I managed to finish the race only thanks to your plan and your personal support and for this I wanted to thank you. You are a great coach15 Jul 2019Su 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 2019Jesse EnglishIRONMAN 70.3, September 2019A Plan to Trust I've used Phil's Sprint Triathlon plans in the past and loved them. I could always trust that if I followed them (and provided nothing broken down on race day) I'd be able to go out and give it my absolute best on race day. When I signed up for my... >> read moreI've used Phil's Sprint Triathlon plans in the past and loved them. I could always trust that if I followed them (and provided nothing broken down on race day) I'd be able to go out and give it my absolute best on race day. When I signed up for my first 70.3 I already knew I'd be using Phil's plans again and sure enough had the time of my life completing the Eagleman, an IRONMAN 70.3 in Cambridge, Maryland. Not only do you get a fantastic plan, but email access to a professional coach. This has been one of the most valuable tools I've ever used. << read less05 Sep 2019
- JanSprint/Olympic Triathlon, July 2019Masters triathlon win win ! I can highly recommend Phils training plans . I have been on a training plan for the last year with exceptional results , I’m not new to the sport 16 years and now in the masters category. The training plan gives me a more balanced life and no niggles !!!... >> read moreI can highly recommend Phils training plans . I have been on a training plan for the last year with exceptional results , I’m not new to the sport 16 years and now in the masters category. The training plan gives me a more balanced life and no niggles !!! In the last year I have won every race I entered, feeling fresh and have a stronger endurance speed base . At 64 im racing as I did in my 40’s . So thanks Phil , I'm looking forward to my next race ! Jan << read less02 Jul 2019AlexIRONMAN, July 2019Thanks so much for your plan! Hi Phil, I would never have expected to improve so much in only 12 weeks. Your training plan (IM Intermediate, 12 wks) allowed me to improve my own record on IM70.3 by 25min to reach 4H51 at Les Sables d'Olonne and my IM record by almost 2 hours to reach... >> read moreHi Phil, I would never have expected to improve so much in only 12 weeks. Your training plan (IM Intermediate, 12 wks) allowed me to improve my own record on IM70.3 by 25min to reach 4H51 at Les Sables d'Olonne and my IM record by almost 2 hours to reach 10H48 at Roth. I am so happy with those achievements that I now decided to try a marathon plan for the end of my season. Next year, I will target to qualify for IM70.3 world championship and will definitely use your plan again! Thanks, Alex << read less12 Jul 2019Lianne MorissetteSprint Triathlon, August 2019Crushed my goal and plan surpassed my expectations.... This is my first time using an online training plan and was skeptical. I’m focusing on sprint distance due to a chronic injury and my goal was to qualify for ITU World’s next year in the 45-49 ag. My A race was Provincials/World’s qualifier.....not only did I win my ag... >> read moreThis is my first time using an online training plan and was skeptical. I’m focusing on sprint distance due to a chronic injury and my goal was to qualify for ITU World’s next year in the 45-49 ag. My A race was Provincials/World’s qualifier.....not only did I win my ag by 10+ minutes, I placed third female overall! It all came together perfectly and I give most of the credit to my training plan that whipped me into shape in 12 weeks. I will definitely be using another myprocoach plan next season and highly recommend! << read less23 Aug 2019
A Growing Community Of Athletes
*on average athletes use their plan twice (our plans can be activated multiple times for free)
Kickstart Your Training Today!
Choose your premium training plan, download the TrainingPeaks app and start ticking off sessions!