Description
This 26-Week, 6-day/week training program is sport-specifically designed to prepare athletes to complete a Full Ironman Triathlon:
- 2.4 Mile (3.86K) Swim
- 112 Mile (180K) Bike
- 26.2 Mile (42.2K) Run
This plan is designed to be completed the 26 weeks directly before your Race. Weeks 25 & 26 in the plan are unload/taper weeks so the plan can be completed directly before your event, which the plan has scheduled as the Saturday of Week 26.
This training program has 4 general objectives:
(1) Build volume so you can complete and recover from a Full Ironman Triathlon.
(2) Increase swim, bike and run aerobic base
(3) Increase swim speed in the water, and bike and run speed over ground
(3) Increase overall durability through total body and focused chassis integrity (functional core) strength training.
This training plan deploys multiple individual swim, bike and run assessments (flat road) and uses assessment performance for follow-on threshold interval training. As well, this training plan deploys shorter triathlons on Saturdays to prepare you for the actual event.
While this plan includes strength and core training, Its focus is on swim/bike/run speed and endurance.
To begin this program, you must be able to swim 1,500m, bike 30k and run 15K.
This is Version 1 of the plan, designed in October, 2022.
STRENGTH / CHASSIS INTEGRITY
This training plan includes total body (lower/upper) and chassis integrity (functional core) strength programming to address strength imbalances, add work for non-biking days, and increase overall durability. Know, however, that strength and chassis integrity are a distant secondary part of this plan. The primary focus is on swim/bike/run speed and endurance.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Scheduling can vary week by week, and between different parts of the plan.
Below is an example “assessment week” schedule:
- Mon: Rest
- Tue: Swim Assessment
- Wed: Bike Assessment
- Thu: Run Assessment
- Fri: Total Rest
- Sat: Easy Bike + Easy Run
- Sun: Total Rest
Below is an example “progression week” schedule:
- Mon: Swim Intervals + Easy Swim
- Tue: Bike Intervals
- Wed: Run Intervals + Easy Run
- Thu: Gym-Based Strength & Chassis Integrity or Rest
- Fri: Rest
- Sat: Triathlon (swim/run/bike event)
- Sun: Easy Bike plus Easy Run or Rest
VOLUME PROGRESSION
This training plan deploys assessment-based programming to train swim, bike and run speed over ground. As you work through the plan, the assessments increase in distance, beginning at 1,500m swim, 30k Bike and 15k run on Week 1, to a 3,000m swim, 135k bike and 30k Run on week 19.
As well, the distance of the Saturday triathlon increase as the program progresses beginning with a 1,000m swim, 20k bike, 10k run effort on week 1, to a 3,000m swim, 135k bike and 30k run on week 23.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is the Required Equipment?
- Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (smartphone will work)
- Fully equipped weight room with a squat rack, bench, barbell, plates, dumbbells and/or kettlebells
- Sandbag – 40# for women, 60# for men
- Foam Roller
- Road Bike and Swimming Pool
How fit do you need to be able to begin this plan?
To begin this program, you must be able to swim 1,500m, bike 30k and run 15K.
I’m an experienced triathlete, and can easily meet these minimum distances. Where should I start the plan?
Week 1. MTI’s triathlon programming is likely much different than what you’ve completed before. As well, much of the programming is assessment-based, with follow-on intervals based on your most recent assessment times. In this way it will automatically “scale” to your incoming fitness.
I have less than 26 weeks to train for my Ironman. Where should I start the plan?
This depends totally on how fit you are now. Please email rob@mtntactical.com and ask for guidance. In your email, include your current level of triathlon fitness.
How Long do the Sessions Last?
1-12 hours. Longest days will be the Saturday triathlon. Thursday Gym-based sessions are designed to last 50-60 minutes.
What does 25/35# Dumbbell Crawl mean? What about 3/5x Chin Ups.
25/35# Dumbbell Crawl = women use 25#, men use 35#
3/6x Chin Ups = Women do 3x, Men do 6x.
What if I miss a day?
Begin where you left off when you return to training. This program is progressed – each session builds upon the prior session – so don’t skip a session or skip around. Follow the training sessions in order, regardless.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run/Ruck Calculator is listed as an exercise.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Yes. Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming.
How do I access the plan?
Access is online, via username and password. You can log in either through our website or through our app (Mtn Tactical Fitness) available for IOS and Android.
Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.
More Questions? Email: coach@mtntactical.com
DISCLAIMER
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.
Sample Training
Below is the First Week from this Training Plan:
MONDAY
SESSION 1
Obj: Swim Assessment
Warm Up:
Swim 100m, Easy Pace
Training:
(1) Swim 1500m for time.
RECORD FINISH TIME
******************************
TUESDAY
SESSION 2
Obj: Bike Assessment
Warm Up:
10 Minute Bike at an easy pace
Training:
(1) Bike 30K for Time
RECORD FINISH TIME
******************************
WEDNESDAY
SESSION 3
Obj: Run Assessment
Warm Up:
4 Rounds
10x Squats
5x Hand Release Push Up
Run 100m
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) Run 15K for Time
RECORD FINISH TIME
******************************
THURSDAY
SESSION 4
Obj: Strength, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
10x Hand Release Push Up
10x Goblet Squats @ 12kg kettlebell or 25# dumbbell
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
(1) 5 Rounds
6x Dumbbell/Kettlebell Front Squat - increase load each round until 6x is hard, but doable
5x Scotty Bob @ 15/25#
2/5x Pull Ups
Hip Flexor Stretch
(2) 4 Rounds
5x Sandbag Getup @ 40/60# (Alternate Shoulders each Round)
5x Keg Lift @ 40/60# Sandbag
15/15 Standing Founder
(3) 2 Rounds
Toe Touch Complex
Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
******************************
FRIDAY
SESSION 5
TOTAL REST
******************************
SATURDAY
SESSION 6
Obj: Triathlon
Training:
(1) Swim 1,000m, then immediately ....
(2) Bike 20K, then immediately ...
(3) Run 10K
RECORD FINISH TIME
Comments:
Treat today as a race event and go at a threshold pace (fastest possible) through this mini-triathlon.
Plan ahead and minimize transitions between legs as much as possible.
******************************
SUNDAY
SESSION 7
Obj: Bike, Run Endurance
Training:
(1) Bike 45 minutes, Easy pace.
Easy = you can speak in full sentences while moving
(2) Run 20 minutes, Easy Pace
Comments:
If possible, proceed directly from the bike to the run. However, if necessary it's okay to treat today's session as a two-a-day - Bike in the AM, Run in the PM.
1) Mission Direct
Gym numbers mean nothing. All that matters is mission performance.
To this end, MTI’s fitness solutions and programming are not boxed in by convention, tradition, orthodoxy, public opinion or any other artificial constraint driven by inside or outside forces.
We begin with the raw fitness demands of the mission and build a fitness solution which directly prepares the athlete for those demands.
2) Fitness Solutions Built from the Ground Up
MTI’s programming is not “re-tread” bodybuilding, football, CrossFit, kettlebell, strength or general fitness programming. We’ve built our fitness programming for mountain and tactical athletes from the ground up.
The Fluid Periodization methodology we deploy to concurrently train multiple fitness attributes is completely original and has continued to evolve and improve over the years.
Our mid-section training methodology, Chassis Integrity, is also original, as is our endurance programming, 7 strength training progressions, tactical agility, and work capacity programming.
Our mountain sports pre-season training plans, tactical PFT, selection, school, course, and fitness improvement training plans across military, LE and Fire Rescue are MTI-developed, tested and athlete-proven.
Over the years hundreds of athletes and coaches have taken our advanced programming and unit fitness leader programming courses and MTI is widely recognized within the mountain and tactical professions and fitness media as a thought leader in fitness programming for military and tactical athletes.
3) The MTI Method
→ Research: MTI begins program design with extensive research of the fitness demands of the mission, sport or event, identifies the exercises and progressions which sport-specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the training plan.
→ Deploy & Assess: We deploy the training plan “Lab Rats” at our Wyoming facility. Training session and cycle issues are identified and fixed as we work through the training plan. Post cycle we assess the programming’s effectiveness and efficiency. We keep the stuff that works, and fix or toss the stuff that doesn’t.
→ Publish & Assess Again: Plan is published for purchase as an individual training plan and made available to our subscribers. Feedback/results are assessed.
→ Iterate: We take what we learn from lab rats and athletes, re-visit, update and improve already published training plans. Several of our individual training plans are on their 4th or 5th version.
4) Mission-Direct Research
MTI exists to “Improve Mountain and Tactical Athletes mission performance and keep them safe.” To that end, we have developed a unique research methodology aimed at identifying real world areas of improvement and identifying immediately deployable mission-direct solutions. Click HERE to learn more about MTI’s Mission-Direct Research methodology, and Here to read about just few of our research efforts.
5) Field Proven
Our stuff works. Weekly we receive unsolicited reviews of our programming and testimonials to its effectiveness.
6) Programming Breadth
MTI’s library of 200+ sport-specific fitness plans for mountain and tactical athletes is unmatched. Resources range from specific programming for tactical special forces selections, to specific plans for climbing Rainier and Denali, to general fitness solutions such as running improvement, to post-rehab from injury.
Over the past decade, MTI has partnered with hundreds of athletes throughout their individual mountain and tactical careers, and provided fitness solutions as they face new mountain objectives, tactical schools, selections, PFTs and deployments, and came back from injury.
7) Worldwide Influence
Our work is not limited to US Athletes.
We’ve developed selection-specific training plans for Canadian, UK, Australian and German Special Forces Selections and worked with individual military personnel from Scandinavia, South, and Central America.
Canadian, Australian, UK and western European law enforcement and fire/rescue athletes have used MTI programming for mission-direct fitness.
On the mountain side, Alpinists from Japan to Slovakia have consulted with MTI and used MTI’s programming to prepare for mountain objectives.
8) Mission Performance beyond Fitness
MTI’s exists is to improve Mission Performance for mountain and tactical athletes and keep them safe.
This focus on “mission direct” solutions, enhancements and improvements drives our work and research and extends beyond fitness solutions to include training, leadership, gear, team culture, and safety.
Fitness is just one area of our work.
Our non-fitness research has included tactical cultures, combat uniforms, and gore-tex performance, and effect of stress on marksmanship.
Our work on defining what it means to be a Quiet Professional has had penetrating influence and driven healthy conversations with both mountain and tactical professionals.
9) Direct, Honest, Clear Answers
Since 2007 we’ve taken and answered dozens of questions weekly from mountain and tactical athletes. We’ve saved these individual Q&A’s and now thousands are archived on our site.
We’re not salesmen, and our answers are noted for their directness, honesty, and clarity. Our stuff isn’t for everyone. If we can help, we’ll let you know. If we can’t, we’ll let you know that, too.
– Rob Shaul, Founder
All of the Above is Backed Up By Our Promise: Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.
Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.
By Rob Shaul
I received notes frequently from athletes hesitant to purchase a subscription or training plans asking me to sell them on why they should make the purchase.
While I understand the question, I’m not a salesman – so I can’t put a hard sale on anyone for our programming.
I can tell them the process we go through to design our programming.
We begin with extensive research on the fitness demands of the event, identify the exercises and progressions which sport specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the plan.
Then we test the cycle on ourselves and our lab rats here in Wyoming. We document, note what works and doesn’t work, re-assess, and make changes and modifications.
Then we publish the programming in the form of one of our plans or as part of our subscription daily training sessions for tactical and mountain athletes.
We don’t stop there – our daily programming is the “tip of the spear” for our programming evolution. We use these sessions to learn and make continuous improvement.
As we learn more and improve, we go back, and update the sport-specific training plans on the website. For example, we’re currently on Version 5 of our Ruck Based Selection Training Plan and Version 3 of our Dryland Ski Training Plan and Version 4 of our Big Game Back Country Hunting Training Plan.
We understand our programing isn’t cheap, but we believe it’s a great value. The $79 for the Ruck Based Selection Training Plan, and $39 for the Dryland Ski Training Plan reflect the, research, work, innovative theory, iteration, testing and feedback we’ve put in and received to make these plans effective.
All that matters for us is outside performance, and we feel strongly that Our Stuff Works in the real world.
Here’s our guarantee:
1) Individual Training Plan Purchase:
If you purchase an individual training plan, follow it as prescribed before your season/event/pft/selection, and if you don’t feel you were physically ready for your season/event/pft/selection, and/or didn’t see dramatic improvements in your early season performance, we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
2) Athlete’s Subscription
If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
Questions?
Email: rob@mtntactical.com
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete’s Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes’ mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
If I purchase a plan or subscription, how do I access the programming?
All of our plans are online, accessible via username and password.
You can log in through our →Website or Mobile App →IOS and Android.
Do you have downloadable .pdf’s of the training plans?
No. But you can print the programming, by week, from your browser. You access individual training plans online via a username and password.
Do you have a mobile app?
Yes, we do. Available for IOS and Android.
What is the difference between purchasing an individual training plan, packet of plans or an Athlete’s Subscription?
- Plan – Like purchasing the DVD of the first Star Wars movie. You own it forever, including any updates we make to the plan.
- Packet – Like purchasing the DVD’s of all the Star Wars movies. You own them forever, including any updates we make to the plans.
- Athlete’s Subscription – Like subscribing to Netflix. You get access to all 200+ plan in our library, but lose access if you unsubscribe.
If I purchase an Athletes Subscription Can I cancel on my own, anytime?
Yes.
Do I have to contact MTI to cancel or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself. Instructions HERE.
If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
Yes. We answer dozens of training questions from athletes weekly. Email coach@mtntactical.com.
If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you’ll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.
What Equipment is Required?
Click the “Required Equipment” tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com
