Question: Off meets Out meets transition meets...

xt4

 Hi guys - really enjoying this opportunity to kick the tires a bit, and want to congratulate you both on this thing you've created.  Rich, I've been drinking the Kool-Aid since your Crucible days, and used one of the programs you used to sell on Training Peaks way back in the day to train for my first Ironman in '06.

I'm looking for a little more perspective on the relationship and logistics of moving into the Outseason, and moving back into the 12 week or so training plan - specifically for Half Iron.  So far in my perusals it looks like most of the answers to these questions might be behind locked doors in the Wiki, so I've gleaned what I can from other forum posts, etc.

I understand the Outseason lasts about 20 weeks - and then what?  I've seen a "Transition" mentioned that's anywhere from 2 weeks for some to 6-8 weeks - what's involved with the Transition?  And then that gets you into your race specific training of 12 weeks.  Correct?

Me:  I'm racing a marathon October 3rd, and then intend to do cool stuff with my fitness after that - maybe a 13.1 trail race in mid October, maybe a Mud Run at the end of the month.  I'm feeling good and motivated right now - which tells me it's a good time to take a break after the marathon and get away from organized training for a bit.  That means I might begin an Outseason program in November.  My A race for next summer is Racine 70.3 in July - I'm considering a B+ 13.1 in May, and maybe wrapping up the season with the Chicago triathlon in August.  But that July 70.3 is the brightest beacon.  

So a 20 week Outseason starting November 1 puts me in the middle of March, and gives me about a month before the middle of April, when I'd start a 12 week specific plan.  Can you give me some guidance on how the Transition period fits into the mix in general, and some specifics on what to expect with it?

Thanks!

Coach Rich

Hi Chris,

Here is a forum post that may be helpful for you. You can also search back a few weeks in the Blog for a post I wrote on stacking plans across a season.

Transition is a week or two where you do unfocused training...there are many ways to define that. The most important element, however, is that you stand your head down for a week or two. Our OS plan is tough, physically and mentally. You need to give yourself a break before you transition from that into a focus on HIM or IM training.

Hope this helps!

 

Coach Patrick

If you really want to go deep, you can check out our online training manual (FREE) over on the blog. It's got tons of info for you: http://www.endurancenation.us/book/manual/lctm.php

Patrick

Keith Wick

like coach P said, think of transition as down time with some training for maintainance, but really to give your body a real recovery break. after those 2 weeks, people who still have time before beginning their 12 HIM/IM plan will either (1) repeat some weeks of the OS--winter folks who can't get outside yet---or----(2) do the basic month which starts to incorporate the swim drills to get back in the water and starts to lengthen some of the rides on the weekends to prepare for the plans.