Time commitment

Willhayes2

 Hi, I am trying to familiarize myself with all of the info here, and realized I have a general question. I am wondering what sort of weekly time commitment I am looking at for my 1/2 IM, and my IM training plans? I figure it varies, and would peak at some maximum, so T would really help me to have some sort of idea.Thanks!

baprince

Williard,
I'm going through the intermediate IM plan for the first time this year and I would say that I'm typically seeing 60-90min of workout during the week, with two longer rides on the weekend. I started with the OS, which was only about 6-8 hours a week, and transitioned to the IM plan 12 weeks out from my race, so this volume will only last for about 10 weeks before a taper and then my race.
Typical week (approximate):
M - Swim + run (~90min)
T - swim (60min)
W- bike (60-75min)
T - long run (120-150min)
F- swim (~60min)
Sa- 4 hr long ride
Su - 1.5-3hr ride

I have defintitely found EN to live up to the promise of being extremely time efficient in terms of maximizing the value of my time to build fitness and endurance. Just have to work hard in the short sessions

Coach Rich

Excellent summary from Brett. I'd also add that only sessions that we have volume goals for you (ie, it's a 4hr ride because 4hrs is important) are the Thurs long ride and the weekend rides. Everything else...we don't care. Warm up, do the Main Set, or as much of it as you can, Cool Down (if you have time), done.

Al Truscott

Don't forget the Hidden Time - minimum 15 minutes on each side of every workout to dress, find equipment, record data, whatever. Local lingo refers to this as Admin time. Also, there's Driving Time for venues like pool, gym, track, and group ride. Then, Laundry Time; Fueling Time (you do re fuel within the 2 hour window after a workout?); and Extra Sleep Time. And that's just the mandatory stuff. Triathlon bleeds into life so much, no wonder it's referred to as a lifestyle. 

jwpicciotto

15 minutes to dress.  Sorry Al, some of us are a little more high maintenance than that.

jhbinsc

LOL John.

Yes, I think you can certainly do the minimum workouts and do well enough to complete your HIM or IM w/ confidence.

[Deleted User]

 As Rich said, most of the time durations written in the plan are just suggestions (aside from the important volume-oriented workouts). For the most part, I just get the main set done ahead of time, and call the rest of the time optional based on how I feel and how much I want to work.

 

For me, the net time for a workout also includes stretching, showering, eating my post-workout recovery meal, inadvertantly falling asleep at some point...

Willhayes2

Thanks for all of the responses. It seems crazy that you could just do the main sets!

Tom Glynn

Willard,

I've been with EN a while an over the years have averaged about 10 hours per week. Certainly some ramping up before my annual IM races, but lots of weeks less than that. Long runs and rides are important during race season build, but not year round. Biggest bang for your dollar is the short duration high intensity stuff in the off season.

William Jenks

Another skill besides being quick at T1 and T2 that eventually comes along is reducing the overhead on workouts. I sometimes am better at this than other times I do confess.

But can you shave 20 min off of the clock time of a workout by dumping one of the changing/showering episodes? Can you save some time by throwing bike bottles in the fridge the night before when you're cleaning up from dinner? etc etc. I know it's not for everyone, but we tend to eat kinda late dinners because of kids activities that extend to around 7:30 pm. I can effectively shave some time if I can do my weekday run or bike such that I finish right before I have to start cooking or go pick up the kids. Usually there's a bit of family slop time (e.g., someone else finishing up the cooking) so I can get a quick shower before dinner. Another thing is avoiding a change from day clothes to workout clothes if it's a first-thing-in-the-morning workout.

Depending on your life situation (job, kids, etc), 13-14 hours is already a lot, and keeping the overhead down can be a big deal.

kimmydct

I'm a MS only follower most of the time and it works for me. I'm not that fast but I have seen great gains w/ EN doing just the MS. The most I warmup for is 1/4 mi walk prior to run and maybe 5 mins on the bike.... Never do swim warmups.

Swanie

I do all the WU's and CD's for all workouts, I figure if it's written and I have the time i get it in. Since all my workouts start 4:00am I have time to do it. I would agree with Tom that I average 10 hr/wk across the year. Race prep might get to 15 hrs/wk but thats expected. I usually over achieve ont he weekend bikes which accounts for some of the extra time.

jburbatt

Don't forget to factor in your "fatigue" time. Doing a HIM plan, this doesn't really factor in very much, but going for a full IM adds a significant amount of fatigue and increased need for rest/sleep than you would expect.