Ironman Triathlon Training Plan
$99.00
- 26-Week, 6-day/week training program designed to prepare athletes to complete a Full Ironman Triathlon
- To be completed the 26 weeks directly before your Race
- Deploys multiple individual swim, bike and run assessments (flat road) and uses assessment performance for follow-on threshold interval training.
- This training plan is one of the 250+ plans included with an Athlete’s Subscription
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.
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
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.
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