Official Season Planning Tool Thread
Note: File Updated on 2/12/2010 to Include Volume Tabs for IM and HIMs with some fuzzy Coach math! 
Folks -
After much skull-duggery, we are ready to let you access our first generation season planning process. In the spirit of the self-coached athlete, we have cracked open our skulls and poured how we have folks progress through a season and put it into:
- A PDF instructional sheet + Video (Coach P)
- A Spreadsheet Tool (you download) and Video (Coach P)
All four elements are now available via the Downloads Section of the Start Station of the Train Map. Please download and review this weekend; but using the tool you should be able to get a very good sense of when you should choose to exit the OS based on your A race, how much OS you should actually aim for, whether or not you need General Prep, etc.
Do you feel empowered yet? 
I am sure I missed something or made it insanely complicated, so please post your feedback and questions here.
Thanks!
Patrick
Comments
I'm working through the Season Layout tools now. A few quick things I've found:
Kristen - Rather than entering date as numbers try writing it as 23 Jan 2010 - worked for me.
Chris
great stuff p. thanks for putting this together.
Ok, let's see if I did this correctly. This is for a pre-October OS start (I started in September but looped around and joined the October OS folks). My two IM races this year are St. George and Vineman. How does this look?
It tells me to begin my 12 weeks of hard focus on my one year aniversary! That wouldnt go over well! I think ill start it on April 5th instead of the 4th or I will lose every SAU past, present and future =P
Accroding to the plan my season looks like the following:
I have a few question:
Thanks,
Pete
Tyson this is prolly a stoopid question, but how did you create this timeline? Did you use the spreadsheet the coaches provided or did you create it on some other spreadsheet?
Tyson --
Looks awesome...man, visual tools kick a$$!!!!!
P
Pete -
The plan looks perfect. Ask Dave Corso or Dan Socie re bike stuff....
P
Nemo -
Without you, EN would suck. Seriously. Thank you. I think I got them all...
Thanks!
bad news is everyone needs to redownload it now...
P
Sorry - I couldn't figure out how to paste my plan so that the colors were visible
Vineman 70.3
12/28/2009
1/4/2010
1/11/2010 1 – OS Start
1/18/2010 2
1/25/2010 3
2/1/2010 4
2/8/2010 5
2/15/2010 6
2/22/2010 7
3/1/2010 8
3/8/2010 9
3/15/2010 10
3/22/2010 11
3/29/2010 12
4/5/2010 13
4/12/2010 14
4/19/2010 Trans
4/26/2010 1 – Race Prep Start
5/3/2010 2
5/10/2010 3
5/17/2010 4
5/24/2010 5
5/31/2010 6
6/7/2010 OD race?
6/14/2010 8
6/21/2010 9
6/28/2010 10
7/5/2010 11
7/12/2010 Vineman 70.3
7/19/2010 Trans
7/26/2010 1 – 2nd Race Prep Start
8/2/2010 2
8/9/2010 3
8/16/2010 4
8/23/2010 5
8/30/2010 6
9/6/2010 7
9/13/2010 8
9/20/2010 Redman
Coach RnP - I just uploaded my Season Planning Spreadsheet through the 'Resources / File Upload' tab - I am assuming you will get that? The season I have outlined for myself in under the 3rd tab...please let me know if you think that looks good.
I can send the file to you another way if you choose...just let me know.
Steve, please just cut and paste your stuff here, as the others have done. This seems be working well for everyone. Thanks.
Coaches - your thoughts?
**** Now in Macro thread instead ***************
RnP - your overview & advice please gents - DecOS start - first A-race UK 70.3 on June 20th.
To give me 12wks Prep its only 15 weeks in OS (Adv) - 1 week Tran' (?) and then into Prep phase.
Hows about 16 weeks OS, no transition? Thinking that if wk16 is test week, altho' intensive, there's extra rest days around it (as wk7/8).
As a newbie I'm not sure on Prep phase content or RR formats, however, have highlighted an Oly & HIM race - the HIM is a tad close to 'race' IMO so was intending to bail on the run mid-point or whatever you advise. My rationale was that as a Tri newbie, I needed the race practice & certainly the swim element (plus its a sea swim with loads of current, good prep for IMCOZ).
Worry about IMCOZ when we emerge out of UK70.3!
Thanks, Dave
12/7/2009
10
12/14/2009
11
12/21/2009
12
12/28/2009
13
1/4/2010
14
1/11/2010
15
1/18/2010
16
1/25/2010
17
2/1/2010
18
2/8/2010
19
2/15/2010
20
2/22/2010
21
3/1/2010
22
3/8/2010
23
3/15/2010
24
3/22/2010
25
3/29/2010
26
4/5/2010
27
4/12/2010
28
4/19/2010
29
4/26/2010
30
C Oly
5/3/2010
31
5/10/2010
32
5/17/2010
33
C HIM
The latest version of the spreadsheet contains markers for a "Big Day". Is this the same as the Big Bike Week that is being discussed in some other threads? If not what are your thoughts on a Big Day, and if I wanted to include a BBW in the 12-week race prep what would be the best time for this?
Thanks,
Pete
The "Big Day" is a prescribed workout in your training plan. You'll see it when you get there. Best time for a BBW is anytime, but no closer than about 3-4wks out from your race. If you have additional questions about a BBW, please start another thread. Thanks.
I'm assuming the 12 week Race Prep block includes taper, is this correct?
Out of Curiosity, is the "Big Day" on Saturday or Sunday? Should I leave that whole weekend blocked off from other events?
Ok, that was three questions.
P
RnP I am new at this and have two races scheduled for this year 70.3 5/16/10 and Full IM 9/12/10. When should I start to transition for the 70.3, does this make sense?
race prep
race prep
race prep
RnP, how does the plan look?
I thnk this looks okay; better if you took two weeks off after the 70.3 just to be 100% ready to train for IM!
Kathy, take 2 weeks after the OS, first totaly off TOTALLY. sEcond very light. After the HIM, the ONLY THING you do that next week is the century and then you might need another light week as well. no sweat since you have moo camp, just be ready to rest a bit more so you can train to be your best!
RnP - thanks for your patience with a newbie to the EN system. Just for a reference, I'll repost a summary that I accidentally posted in the wrong place:
"Ok, so I have to be completely honest here. I spent all of September, October, November and the first week of December focusing solely on Cyclocross. Since then, I've been pretty aimless with my training, running here and there, riding every once in a while, etc. I just ran the Key West Half Marathon (not because I was properly trained, but because I went with a big group and couldn't just watch!). That said, my A race is Ironman 70.3 Racine. I asked for a "Plan Update", but to be honest, I'm not sure if it was updated, or if it was, it just says I should be on week 15 of 20 of the OS. Is that right? Thanks for the help and glad to finally be "on the horse"!"
Here's my take on what my Grand Plan should be - thoughts?
Mike
OK, sounds good! Thanks Coach P
@Mike -- Pretty sure I hit this elsewhere; if not let me know!
P