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12 Week Ironman Programme PDF
12 Week Ironman Programme PDF
The plan
12 WEEKS
TO IRONMAN
TEST yOUR mETTLE IN THIS INFamOUS
ENDURaNCE RaCE WITH OUR EXPERT PLaNS
Meet the family and friends first. Then stick a
expert copy of your training plan onto the
fridge so everyone can see it.
Phil Mosley
The longest run Ive set is two
Coaching editor of Triathlon Plus Mosley hours. I know youll be out for longer
has coached dozens of triathletes to on race day, but keeping it lower
Ironman success enables you to train consistently,
rather than breaking down with injury
iROnMAn is the ultimate test of and fatigue. After all, its what you do
triathlon endurance, and with 12 regularly in training that counts, not
weeks left theres no room for what you do once or twice. Ive read
messing about. its time to knuckle that multiple Ironman World Champ
down, or itll be a very long day out. Dave Scott never ran further than 13
thankfully these plans are designed miles in training either, and it didnt
to get you fit and race ready do him any harm. Finally, regardless of
without taking over your life. they what the plan says, if you start losing
follow on from the ironman your appetite, struggle to sleep or
Foundation plan we published in become abnormally grumpy take at
triathlon Plus issue 23. Dont worry least a couple of days rest.
if you didnt see it, because as long
as youve trained consistently over
the last 12 weeks, theres no reason Coachs Tips
why you cant start now. Train in your race kit when possible
There are two plans to choose from Train using the same nutrition you plan
here, one for the time poor which to use on race day
takes up to 13 hours per week, and Train on your race-day bike when possible
one for time rich which takes
anything up to 16 hours. Theyre by no
means easy after all youll be racing are these plans for you?
a 3.8km swim, 112-mile bike ride and
26.2-mile run, but the sessions do To start these Ironman training plans you
should already be able to:
progress over time, so it doesnt all
Swim 2,500m front crawl, non-stop
come at once. Youll need to spend a
Ride your bike for at least 3 hours
big chunk of your weekends training,
Run non-stop for 90 minutes
so its a good idea to run it past your
How it works
Get your guide ready to go
Photos Corbis Illustrations Phil Nicodemi
Cut out the guide following Fold the guide in quarters Now carry it with you for
the dotted outline using the fold guides reference while training
90 may 2011
Training Zones
Yo r
12-wu
Fold2
Using these Training Zones will help you train at the right intensity
for each session. This helps develop specific aspects of your fitness,
e
planek
as well as making sure you dont overdo it. You can either estimate
your intensity using the Training Zone descriptions, or use a heart-
rate monitor for a more precise measure. If you use a heart-rate
monitor, use the percentages provided and subtract them from your
maximum heart rate to calculate your zones. Tools like cycle power
meters and GPS watches will also help track your training progress,
but theyre not essential for these plans.
These training zones are only a guide, so dont worry about being
overly precise with heart rates because theyll fluctuate anyway. Its
good to be mindful of your intensity but its even more important
that you get out there and enjoy your training.
Zone 1: Recovery
60 to 65% of max. Easy pace, feels nice and light.
Zone 2: Steady
65 to 75% of max. Fairly easy pace. Easy enough so that you could breathe
just through your nose if you wanted to.
Zone 3: Tempo
75% to 80% of max. Fairly hard but sustainable pace.
Zone 4: Race Tempo
13 hours per week 80 to 90% of max. Hard pace. Sustainable, but requires real focus.
ironman
KEY
WU Warm up WD Warm down MAIN Main set FC Front crawl PULL Front
crawl using a pull float RI Rest interval BUILD Swim each 25m slightly faster
than the previous K Kick NS Negative split (swim the second half of a rep
faster than the first) REC Recovery DESC Descending (swim each rep faster
Mon
WU Z2: 200m FC, 2x200m [50m FC,100m K, WU Z2: 6x75m (20secs RI) MAIN Z2: 2x200m WUZ2: 300m FC,200m K MAIN Z2: 4x200m as
50m FC (20secs RI)] MAIN Z2: 300m, 200m, (20secs RI). 100m in Z3, (20secs RI). 2x200m Swim 1500m
150m FC, 50m K (30 secs RI). 600m PULL
100m (20sec RI) 200m,100m, 50m NS (25sec (25secs RI). 100m in Z3 (25secs RI). 2x300m (30 WU Z1: 500m FC MAIN Z2: 500m mixed
(60secs RI). 8x50m DESC (20secs RI).WD Z1:
RI). 200m in Z4 (30sec RI). 100m in Z4 (30sec RI). 100m in Z3 WD Z1: 6x75m (50m FC, 25m strokes WD Z1: 500m FC
200m FC
RI). 6x100m PULL (25sec RI) WD Z1: 100m FC BACK) (20secs RI)
Tue
Tue
Run 40mins in Z2
Run 40mins in Z2 Run 40mins in Z2 Run 30mins in Z2
Wed
WUZ2: 400m FC MAIN Z2: 8x50m BUILD WU Z2: 2x150m FC, 100m K, 50m FC MAIN Z3: WU Z2: 300m FC, 200m K, 100m FC,200m K Swim 1500m
(20secs RI). 400m in Z3 (15secs RI). 2x200m in 4 x [50m PULL (15secs RI), 50m REC (15secs RI), MAIN Z2: 3x [200m PULL (30secs RI), 3x100m WU 500m MAIN 800m at approx Ironman
Z4 (15secs RI). 400m in Z3 (15secs RI). 4x100m 100m BUILD (15secs RI)]. 2x600m NS (30secs FC DESC 1-3 (15sec RI)]. 300m FC WD Z1: 100m race pace WD 200m
in Z4 (15secs RI). WD Z1: 100m FC RI) WD Z1: 100m FC or BACK FC
Thur
Thur
Fri
Sat
Ride 3hours 30mins in Z2, straight into Run 15 Ride 3hours 45mins in Z2, straight into Run 15
Ride 4hours in Z2, straight into Run Ride 1hours 40mins in Z2, straight into Run 20
mins in Z2 mins in Z2
15 mins in Z2 mins in Z2
Sun
Sun
may 2011 91
Fold2
Mon
Mon
WU Z2: 2x200m FC, 4x50m K (15 secs RI) MAIN WU Z2: 6x75m FC (20 secs RI) MAIN Z2: WU Z2: 300m FC, 300m K (20secs RI) MAIN Z2:
Z2: 2x300m (20sec RI). 4x25m BACK (15secs 2x200m (20secs RI). 100m in Z3. 2x300m Swim 1500m
4x150m (10secs RI). 200m K in Z4. 4x150m
RI). 2x250m K (20secs RI). 4x25m BREAST (30secs RI). 1x100m in Z3. 2x400m (40secs RI). WU Z1: 500m FC MAIN Z2: 500m mixed
(15secs RI). 200m K in Z3. 4x150m (30secs RI).
(15secs RI) 2x200m fast (15secs RI). 200m K 1x100m in Z3. WD Z1: 6x75m (50m FC, 25m strokes WD Z1: 500m FC
200m K in Z2 WD Z1: 100m FC
WD Z1: 200m FC BACK) (20secs RI)
Tue
Tue
Swim 2,700m
Swim 2,500m
Wed
Wed
WU Z2: 4x300m as (100m FC, 100m K, 100m BI) Swim 1500m Swim 1,600m
WU Z2: 300m FC, 300m K MAIN Z2: 6x150m
MAIN Z2: 8x50 BUILD. 3x (150m,100m,50m FC) WU Z1: 500m FC MAIN Z2: 500m mixed MAIN DESC 500s 1 to 3
PULL (DESC 1-6) (20sec RI).6x100m PULL
with the following rests: 1st round (15sec, 10sec, strokes WD Z1: 500m FC WD Z1: 100m FC
(DESC 1-6) (15sec RI). 6x50m PULL (DESC 1-6)
5sec), 2nd round (20sec, 15sec, 10sec), 3rd round
(10secs RI). WD Z1: 100m FC
(25sec, 20sec, 15sec)] WD Z1: 200 FC
Thur
Thur
Run 30mins
Run 2hours Run 2hours Run 2hours WU 13 mins in Z2 MAIN 2x3min at top of
in Z2 on hard ground in Z2 on hard ground in Z2 on hard ground Z3+60secs rest WD 10mins in Z2
Fri
Brick 4hours 30mins Brick 5hours Brick 4hours 45mins Run 20 mins
Sat
Sat
Ride 4hours 15mins in Z2, straight into Run Ride 4hours 45mins in Z2, straight into Run 15 Ride 4hours 30mins in Z2, straight into Run 15 Recovery run in Z2, including 4x30secs
15mins in Z2 mins in Z2 mins in Z2 accelerating to 10km race pace
Sun
Sun
Bike 2hours Bike 2hours Bike 2hours AM Bike 1hour 30mins recovery ride in Z2
recovery ride in Z2, with optional caf stop recovery ride in Z2, with optional caf stop recovery ride in Z2, with optional caf stop PM Swim open water 30mins in Z2
Fold1
Mon
Wed
Thur
Fri
Bike 15mins
in Z2, to check your bike is working ok
Sat
Swim 15 to 20mins
Ride 3hours 45mins in Z2, straight into Run Ride 2hours 30mins in Z2, straight into Run Ride 1 hour 45mins in Z2, straight into Run
open water in Z2
15mins in Z2 15mins in Z2 15mins in Z2
Sun
92 may 2011
TRaining Zones
Yo r
12-Wu
Fold2
Using these Training Zones will help you train at the right intensity
for each session. This helps develop specific aspects of your fitness,
e
planek
as well as making sure you dont overdo it. You can either estimate
your intensity, using the Training Zone descriptions, or use a heart-
rate monitor for a more precise measure. If you use a heart rate
monitor, use the percentages provided and subtract them from your
maximum heart rate to calculate your zones. Tools like cycle power
meters and GPS watches will also help track your training progress,
but theyre not essential for these plans.
These training zones are only a guide, so dont worry about being
overly-precise with heart rates because theyll fluctuate anyway. Its
good to be mindful of your intensity but its even more important
that you get out there and enjoy your training.
Zone 1: Recovery
60 to 65% of max. Easy pace, feels nice and light.
Zone 2: steady
65 to 75% of max. Fairly easy pace. Easy enough so that you could breathe
just through your nose if you wanted to.
Zone 3: tempo
75% to 80% of max. Fairly hard but sustainable pace.
Zone 4: Race tempo
16 hours per week 80 to 90% of max. Hard pace. Sustainable, but requires real focus.
ironman
KeY
WU Warm up WD Warm down MAin Main set FC Front crawl PULL
Frontcrawl using a pull float Ri Rest interval BUiLD Swim each 25m slightly
faster than the previous K Kick ns Negative split (swim the second half of a
rep faster than the first) ReC Recovery DesC Descending (swim each rep
peak For an ironman with this traininG faster than the one before) Bi Bilateral (breathe every third stroke) BReAst
Breaststroke BACK Backstroke
plan, which takes up to 16 hours per week staY in the training Zone with TRiaThlon plus
Fold1
Mon
[50m FC,100m K, 50m FC (20secs RI)] MAIN WU Z2: 6x75m (20secs RI)] MAIN Z2: 2x200m WU Z2: 300m FC, 200m K MAIN Z2: 4x200m
Z2: 300m, 200m, 100m (20secs RI). 200m, (20secs RI). 100m in Z3 (20secs RI). 400m. Swim 1500m
as (150m FC, 50m K) (30secs RI). 600 m PULL
100m, 50m NS (25secs RI). 300m in Z4 (30secs 100m in Z3 (25secs RI). 2x300m (30secs RI). WU Z1: 500m FC MAIN Z2: 500m mixed
(60secs RI). 8x50 m DESC (20secs RI) WD Z1:
RI). 6x100m PULL (25secs RI) WD Z1: 100m FC 100m in Z3 WD Z1: 6x75m (50m FC, 25m BACK) strokes WD Z1: 500m FC
200m FC PM Run 40mins in Z2
PM Run 40mins in Z2 (20secs RI) PM Run 40mins in Z2
Tue
Tue
AM Swim 2,500m WU Z2: 400m FC MAIN Z2: AM Swim 2,550m AM Swim 2,700m
Wed
Wed
8 x 50m BUILD (20secs RI). 400m in Z3 (15secs WU Z2: 2x150m FC, 100m K, 50m FC MAIN Z3: 4 WU Z2: 300m FC, 200m K, 100m FC,200m K
RI). 2x200m in Z4 (15secs RI). 400m in Z3 x [50m PULL (15secs RI), 50m REC (15secs RI), MAIN Z2: 3x [200m PULL (30secs RI), 3x100m Swim 1500m
(15secs RI). 4x100m in Z4 (15secs RI) WD Z1: 100m BUILD (15secs RI)] 2x600m NS (30secs RI) FC DESC 1-3 (15secs RI)]. 300m FC WD Z1: 100m steady state at approx Ironman race pace
100m FC PM Run 1hour30 mins in Z2, WD Z1: 100m FC/BACK PM Run 1hour 45mins FC PM Run 1hour30mins in Z2, including
including 3x5mins efforts at top of Z3 in Z2 including 4x5mins at top of Z3 4x5mins efforts at top of Z3
AM Run 30mins
Thur
Thur
Run 30mins
30mins recovery run in Z2
Bike 1hour 30mins in Z2 Bike 1hour 45mins in Z2 WU 13mins in Z2 MAIN 2x3min at top of
PM Bike 1hour30mins
Z3+60secs rest WD 10mins in Z2
Recovery ride in Z2
Fri
Sat
Ride 3hours 30mins in Z2 (including 2x20min Ride 3hours 45mins in Z2 (including 5x10min
Ride 4hours in Z2 (including 4x15min efforts at Ride 1hour 40mins in Z2, straight into Run
efforts at top of Z3), straight into Run 15mins in efforts at top of Z3), straight into Run 15mins
top of Z3), straight into Run 15mins in Z2 20mins in Z2
Z2 in Z2
Sun
Sun
may 2011 93
Fold2
AM Swim 2,800m WU Z2: 2x200m FC, AM Swim 3,000m AM Swim 3,100m
Mon
Mon
4x50m K (15secs RI) MAIN Z2: 2x300m in Z2 WU Z2: 6x75m FC (20secs RI) MAIN Z2: WU Z2: 300m FC, 300m K (20secs RI) MAIN Z2:
(20secs RI). 4x25m BACK (15secs RI). 2x250m 2x200m (20secs RI).1x100m in Z3. 2x300m 4 x 150m (10secs RI). 200 K in Z4. 4x150m Swim 1500m
K in Z3 (20secs RI). 4x25m BREAST (15sec RI). (30secs RI). 1x100m in Z3. 2x400m (40secs RI). (15secs RI). 200m K in Z3. 4x150m (30secs RI). WU Z1: 500m FC MAIN Z2: 500m mixed
2x200m in Z4 (15secs RI). 200m K. WD Z1: 1x100m in Z3. WD Z1: 6x75m (50m FC, 25m 200m K in Z2. WD Z1: 100m FC strokes WD Z1: 500m FC
200m FC PM Run 40mins in Z2 BACK) (20sec RI) PM Run 40mins in Z2 PM Run 40mins in Z2
Tue
Tue
Swim 2,500m Swim 2,500m Swim 2,500m
Run 30mins in Z2
steady state at approx Ironman race pace steady state at approx Ironman race pace steady state at approx Ironman race pace
AM Swim 2,700m WU Z2: 4 x 300m as (100m FC, AM Swim 2,500m WU Z2: 300m FC, 300m K AM Swim 2,700m
Wed
Wed
100m K, 100m BI) MAIN Z2: 8 x 50m BUILD. 3 x MAIN Z2: 6x150m PULL (DESC 1-6) (20sec WU Z2: 300m FC, 200 K (20secs RI) MAIN Z2:
Swim 1,600m
(150m,100m,50m FC) with the following rests: RI).6x100m PULL (DESC 1-6) (15secs RI).6x50m 4x150m (10secs RI). 200 K in Z4. 4x150m
DESC 500s 1 to 3
[1st set (15secs, 10secs, 5secs), 2nd set (20secs, PULL (DESC 1-6) (10secs RI). WD Z1: 100m FC (15secs RI). 200m K in Z3. 4x150m (30secs RI).
WD Z1: 100m FC
15secs, 10secs), 3rd set (25secs, 20secs, 15secs)] PM Run 2hours in Z2, including 4x5mins 200m K in Z2. WD Z1: 100m FC PM Run 2hours
WD Z1: 200m FC PM Run 2hours in Z2 efforts at top of Z3 in Z2, including 4x5mins efforts at top of Z3
Run 30mins
Thur
Thur
WU 13 mins in Z2 MAIN 2x3min at top of
Bike 1hour 30mins in Z2 Bike 1hour 30mins in Z2 Bike 1hour 30mins in Z2 Z3+60secs rest WD 10mins in Z2
Fri
Brick 4hours 45mins
Brick 4hours 30mins Brick 5hours
Ride 4hours 30mins in Z2 (including 5x10min Brick 2hours
Sat
Sat
Ride 4hours 15mins in Z2 (including 2x20min Ride 4hours 45mins in Z2 (including 2x20min
efforts at top of Z3), straight into Run 15mins in Ride 1hours 40mins in Z2, straight into Run
efforts at top of Z3), straight into Run 15mins in efforts at top of Z3), straight into Run 15mins in
Z2 20mins in Z2
Z2 Z2
Sun
Sun
Fold1
Mon
Tue
Swim 3,800m
steady state at approx Ironman pace
Run 40mins in Z2 Run 40mins in Z2
Rest day
Wed
Wed
Swim 2,100m
Run 1hour 45mins Swim 1500m
DESC 500s 1 to 4 Ride 1hour in Z2
in Z2, including 4x5mins efforts at top of Z3 DESC 500s 1 to 3
WD Z1: 100 m FC
Thur
Thur
Fri
Ride 20mins
in Z2 to check your bike over
Brick 4hours
Brick 2 hours 45mins. Ride 2hours 30mins in Brick 1hour 45mins
Sat
Sat
Sun
94 May 2011