The "Whazzup with My Trial Training Plan" Thread
So...
During your time here as a trial member we want you to sample our training plans. As a full TeamEN member you'll have open access to our entire suite of 12 and 20 week HIM and IM plans, as well as our 20wk OS plans. You'll be able to insert any of these into your training plan account, move them around on the calendar, etc.
But you're not a full member yet so this is what we did:
1. We've inserted in your training plan account the first 2-3 weeks of our Beginner OutSeason training plan. Since today is September 15th, we expect that if you do decide to officially become a member, most of you will be dropping into our OutSeason plan so it makes sense to see that plan during your trial. But because you're in your trial membership, you won't be able to move that plan, load up other plans, etc.
2. With this plan we've included podcasts, videos, and ebooks to help you get the most out of your training plan. One very important thing you need to understand is that Patrick and I have recorded 2-4 unique podcasts and videos for every week of every training plan. So when you are in Week 14 of your Intermediate Ironman Training Plan, there are will be two podcasts, a video, maybe something else specific to _that_ week of your plan. So, while you're in here as a trial member we wanted you to be able to sample to training plan resources.
So with that introduction, I'm sure that several of you have questions about what exactly to do with your plan while you're here. Here are a few questions I can anticipate you having. If you have others, please post here and we'll hit them in this thread:
1. Your plan says to X but the plan I'm doing for Race Y says to do Z...what should I do?
We recommend you use whatever your current training resource is as your default, then work with us in the Micro Thread to figure how to insert some of our flavor into what you've been doing.
2. I'm not doing any formal training right now but expect to officially join the team at the end of my trial. What happens then and what do I do know?
In general, we really, really like to have large blocks of people to begin the OS plan at the same time. So, if you look at your calendar, we expect to rally up a large group of troops to all start the OS together on October 4th...another group to start November 1st, etc. So, depending on your race schedule for next year, we may have you start with that October group, the November group, or something in between.
Regardless, it's a good idea to follow the OS plan in your account now during your trial period. Don't worry about what happens on the backend, that's for PnI to figure out. That's easy. But one very consistent theme we've seen during 3 x OutSeasons with this team, going into our 4th, is that people who've not trained "the ENWay" have a bit of an adjustment to our style of work, especially in the first 3-5wks. So you can give yourself a head start on that process by actually doing it in these two weeks, not just checking it out today, going back to sleep, and waking up as an EN member on October 4th 
Ok, that's all I've got. Any questions?
Comments
Thanks fo rthe post: I am doing a fall marathon (Denver) on Oct 17th and then considering joining up with Team EN after that. My A race will be IMWI next fall. My weakness in the tri's have been the run and this year I have made it the year of the run. I have run more this year than any other year. I did a spring marathon and now a fall marathon. I am wondering if I should also do a spring mary. I have some thoughts of hoping to qualify for HI next fall. By my best guess I am probaly a little under an 11 hr race and as I can see it 45-49 y/o males need to go under 10:30.
The plans you have are for out of season. What are your suggestions in my case: If I join maybe start out of season in November:
Also I am a teacher so that is why I chose IMWI: I will have more time in the summer for the longer harder weeks.
This will be my 2nd Fe Man.
Thanks
Jon
Hi Jon,
We're not at all big on using marathons as a tool for creating a faster marathon run. Please see these resources to learn why:
Thanks
Dana
OK: Looks like I maybe shouldn't have signed up for the mary. but I am commited now. Just got back from a 20 mile run this morning. I guess I could switch to the half marathon? But since I am doing IM WI--there is plenty of time to trasition into the training plans. Any ideas or thoughts?
In terms of burnout: I didn't do even a 1/2 ironman this year. I had a busy summer and a trip out of the country. So this year I made it a running year. I put in a lot of miles running because that has always been my weakness. I am really feeling like a runner for the first time.
I have been pretty much been following the Hal Higdon training plan and that has helped me. But as you said in the video my biking has suffered, actually for 2 reasons: One I have focused on marathon training and 2nd I have been too busy to get in the miles on the bike.
I had considered running a spring marathon and I think I won't do that now. So should I start the out of season training after the marathon on 10/17?
Thanks in advance.
Jon
Dana,
Let me know if this ISN'T working for you and we'll see what we can do.
Thanks!
I'm liking what I see thus far on EN. I'm new to tri-ing and look forward to utilizing a plan to train for my first HIM (Vineman) in July 2011!
Dana
:-)
And the reason springtime marathons are not looked highly upon is because you will waste valuable time you could be spending on your bike and swim while training and also the recovery needed for a full marathon is massive. Now half marathons are encouraged especially after the OS so you can see the progress you made over the winter even though you only trained 6-8 hours a week!
Hope that helps.
Tucker: thanks for replying: I think I am going to go ahead and join: I think this is just what I need to achieve my goals (I have some hopes of qualifying for HI). I am a good swimmer (Sub hour) and a decent cyclist (probably around 5:20-5::30) and not a good runner. My hope is that if I can run the marathon just under 4 hours then I have a hope of being right there in the hunt for a Kona slot.
@Jon, we are saying, as triathlon coaches with the job of making you a faster triathlete, that marathons at any point in the season are not a good idea if your goal is to become a better triathlete:
Now, if you read that, read our marathon blog posts and watch the videos and still want to do that cuz it's cool, fitness is your lifestyle and you want to do a marathon just because go for it. You've listened to our advice and have made your own decision based on your understanding of that advice.
Again, see triathlon coach giving advice to triathlon. My experience, which is what you're paying us for, is that a marathon at any time in your triathlon season is the not the most efficient way to make you a faster triathlete.
I think Rich is correct, that a mrathon should not be part of your overall plan to become a better triathlete. Also, note what he's saying... don't do it in the Outseason or In season.
There's no reason why you can't do a mary if 1) it's something you want to do as part of your "Do cool stuff" mentality, and 2) you're not in one of those two structured blocks.
You're doing exactly what I'm doing. My season ended after IMLP in July. Between August and November, I'm in neither the In Season nor the OutSeason. I'm just doing cool stuff... which in my case includes the Denver Marathon on October 17. I'll then have 2 weeks off before the OutSeason starts. After that, it's nothing longer than a half-mary until the season ends.
For me, running a sub-4 hour open marathon is simply something cool I want to do.
@Rich: You are rocking my world. So for me it has always been about the triathlon, not just doing cool stuff
That said and this summer I didn't do many tris because I was out of the country for a long period of time and knew that 1/2 Fe-Man traiining wouldn't happen. So I did a sprint, an OLY, and did one swim meet where I did the mile swim (I was the only old guy--22 min and the 200 IM (2:30).
So: No fall marathon: What would you suggest for me: remember it is always about the tri for me.
This is what I am thinking: Feel free to shoot it down and tell me this doesn't sound like a good idea.
1. Don't run the marathon, but drop down to the 1/2 and use this as a gauge of my run speed. And then probably next spring do another 1/2 mary or 2 to see how this system works.
2. Start the OS program: When should I start? Oct 1 or Nov 1 (Remember the 1/2 mary is Oct 17).
3. Also: What races (or at least time frames) should I look to do since IMWI is my A+ race. The Boulder 70.3 is 8/7/2011, about 1 month before IMWI. Is that too close. I probably need to sign up pretty soon if I want in.
I am defintely going to sign up. I just need to know if I should sign up then do the hold deal and start 11/1.
Thanks:
Jon
P
So should I back off on my long runs. According to my Hal Higdon plan I have one more long run week (50 miles) with a 20 miler 2 weeks from this past SAT (10/2). Should I focus on shorter faster during the run up to the HM?
Jon, yes, you should be going shorter. 2hrs tops.