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Which combination to go with 20(OS)/20 (IM) or 20 (OS)/12(IM)?

RisterRister
in General Training Discussions

 

I’m pretty new to all of this (a set way to train) and I have a ton of questions. I’m not sure what training plan I need a 20 week vs. 12 week. If I have a 20 week out season plan then a 20 week IM training plan is that to much? Or should I go with a 20 week OS and a 12 week IM? With a 20/20 I would start my OS for IMSG next month that seems a long way out. What are your thoughts?

Comments

  • jburbattjburbatt
    20/20 is a VERY long time. Would suggest 20/12 and incorporating a smaller race/event before IMSG to break up the monotony else you probably will go crazy and burn out (so maybe like a 20 OS/Trans/6-Oly or HIM/Trans/12 IM). Big bike weeks/tri weeks would also be a fun and beneficial thing to consider adding into your schedule.
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady
    John, Great questions to be asking...Recommend starting with the season planning toolkit located in the Wiki. There is a spreadsheet and a video cast where Patrick walks you through the process. Once you do this you may want to repost your spreadhseet and plan in the MACRO forum so Rich or Patrick can provide you feedback.
    I've only done one OS and building up to my first IM at Lake placid so I don't have a ton of experience to share with you...

    HOWEVER, here is what I did...Full 20 week OS. Helped me for sure get faster on the bike and run. NOT ONE SWIM during the OS. I can tell you that after week 16 of the OS things started to get real tough mentally. I did two weeks of Transition that included some swims to get my stroke back also studied the eSwim Book. If I had to do it over again, I would have transitioned even harder and rested a little more. I then loaded up the 20 IM plan about 16 weeks out from my Lake Placid Race. I took a few weeks to gradually build up to the volume in the plan as there was an adjustment from OS type work to IM training. By about 14 weeks out I was full tilt following the IM plan.

    I think a lot of these decisions for season planning depend on your current starting point and fitness level. Weather can also be a factor in your planning for adding volume, especially on the bike. Tons of folks are building up to a certain "A" race while also throwing in a 1/2 ironman and some Olympics. I can say that I came out of the 20 week OS is great shape. I was very well prepared to add volume to my new found speed. It really only took a 1-2 weeks to ramp up to doing 3-4 hour hard outdoor bike rides without it being a big deal.

    Good luck...
  • Shaughn SimmonsShaughn Simmons

    I think 20 OS, 2 transition, 12 IM works if you are consistent and a veteran.    1st timers may want a 16 or 20 week IM and 3 week transition period to better adjust to the IM volume out of the OS..............key is to be religiously consistent in hitting the targets and interval time during both the OS and IM plan in my opinion.

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