Ironman Training

Dealing with Injury

Dealing with Injury

Chances are that as a triathlete you either have an injury or have recently recovered from one. Training across three sports supposedly reduces the risk, but I encounter a lot of injured athletes. Unfortunately I joined those ranks last Autumn, finally succumbing to a calf issue. We may divide our training across multiple disciplines, but […]


Minimal Ironman Training?

Minimal Ironman Training?

Two for one deals work in the supermarket, but I can’t offer the same on a training plan. There are no special workouts or shortcuts. Train, rest, repeat until race day; that’s all there is. Reviewing this blog’s stats I see search terms like ‘minimal Ironman training‘ or ‘easy Ironman training‘. I wonder if these […]


Early Season Racing

Early Season Racing

For northern hemisphere athletes the season is starting up. Half of March’s training plans involved a race. As a rule these early season events aren’t the focus for an athlete. They’re a test of winter training, a progress check and a motivational boost. A bit of fun loosely relate to season goals. Planning a season […]


Swim TSS Look Up Table: Critical Swim Speed and Swim Pace

Estimating Training Stress Scores for Swimming

I like data and I like analysing it. Hours of training recorded and logged. The results plotted into a Performance Management Chart (PMC) so I can watch my progress. Attempting to balance growth of fitness with growth of fatigue. I’ve written a lot about the process: using Training Peaks WKO, measuring performance, managing training and […]


Perspective on February’s Triathlon Training

Perspective on February’s Triathlon Training

This year is all about the swim and the run. At least that was the intention. Two months gone and I’ve not run sufficiently or shown real commitment to the pool. My focus has been making myself train not the specifics of how I use that time. One sixth of the year gone can I […]


Performance Management Chart: Realistically raising CTL whilst managing negative TSB

Planning a Week’s Training with the Performance Management Chart

The last few months of training are best described as unstructured. Planning became an exercise in futility as I lacked the motivation to stick to a schedule. This seems to be changing: my former drive has returned and I’m keen to address declining fitness. I can’t say why; it’s just happened. Body and mind are […]


Pulling the Pin on Training

Pulling the Pin on Training

No athlete wants to quit. That’s fair enough quitting is not the route to better performance. On Monday I suggested you should be willing to train less when it benefits long-term consistency. Easy to state, but how do you judge this in the moment? It’s not always clear cut. There are obvious reason to drop […]


Training More and Training Less

Training More and Training Less

Can I train more? Enthusiasm is good. If an athlete has the time and motivation I never rule out more. Should I train less? Caution is good too. When an athlete isn’t sure about completing the program I listen. Training well is a balancing act: do as much as you can tolerate, but no more. […]


What Place for the Marathon in Ironman Training?

What Place for the Marathon in Ironman Training?

For an Ironman athlete there is only one place for the marathon: after a 3.8km swim and a 180km bike. I’m often asked if a marathon is a good idea during Ironman training. My answer is always no. Before I focussed on triathlon I competed in them; once my goals were in multisports I put […]


Are You Really Racing An Ironman?

Are You Really Racing An Ironman?

An Ironman is a competition. There are finishing times and positions; you place against others. There may be awards at the front or slots for World Championship events. Everyone on the start line wants to perform to the best of their ability. But before you start planning your race consider this question: are you really […]