Triathlon Training Explained | How To Structure Your Training Plan

We have a BRAND NEW SHOW! The first Triathlon Training Explained show is here. Whether you are a beginner triathlete attempting your first race, or an old hand to triathlon, we’re going to be answering all the questions you wish you knew the answer to.

In the our NEW Triathlon Training Explained show, we’re going to be answering all the questions you wish you knew the answer to. Everything from what you should wear during a triathlon, through to the technical parts of the sport such as watts per kilo, training zones and aerodynamics.

We will also be doing investigations, getting specialists in to help, getting sciency and of course, talking to the pros. Whether you are a beginner triathlete attempting your first race, or an old hand to triathlon, we will have the answers for you!

On this week's show, we are looking into how to structure your training plan and will be answering the following questions:
- How should you structure a yearly routine with training blocks?
- How can you combine triathlon training with strength training?
- Is reverse periodisation using early season HIIT workouts the new norm?

For more information on this topic, check out the following links from training peaks:

Watch more on GTN...

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

Music: Epidemic Sound
Stop Chasing Me - Patrik Almkvisth

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[gtn]

Let us know all of your triathlon training questions in the comments below 👇 We will try and answer as many of them as possible in the coming shows!

[humankind]

I’m a newbie competing in my first Ironman 70.3 on May 20th in Chattanooga Tennessee, and recetly learned of Training Peaks and signed up for a 12 week training/assistance program and it has been a great help in aiding on how to structure and prepare as best as I can. This video segment is fantastic and extremely relative, good job GTN.

[trainingtall]

Hey GTN! I absolutely love the information you guys provide! Now here is my question: I am a big guy (203cm and 98kg). What are your thoughts and opinions on larger guys/gals training and competing? Are there weight class in triathlon? Really interested in training and competing but it seems like being big could put you at a huge disadvantage.

[jayrichman]

what about: I've signed up for a 70.3 Ironman and haven't quite trained as much as I had originally planned, any tips as the race is approaching in about 6 weeks? thanks!

[cmidkiss]

I have been doing triathlon for a couple of years and these videos are a great source of information. Love them ! And where did you get the Kona helmet? Asking for a friend... lol

[onyx]

Hey thanks guys! That helps heaps. Keep up the amazing work you’re doing.

[toddholmes]

Hi GTN, I love the show and I’ve watched since the very beginning. I’m looking forward to this new training segment. Here’s my question, which I left under one of the very first shows: how should I balance my training if I need a lot of work on one discipline, but without sacrificing the other two? In my case I’m a good swimmer and an ok cyclist, but my running needs a LOT of work.

[phillwhitlam]

Excellent show guys, lots of useful information and tips. Thanks, keep em coming.

[tignals]

Hey guys, loving the show!
My question is being fairly new to the sport, is doing two sessions a day too much, would it be more beneficial to lighten the workload and just train one discipline a day? Assuming you have time for two sessions a day of course. Thanks

[DrRKelly]

Great show GTN! I would love to know more about how to properly taper before a race. How long should the taper be so you’re fresh, but not losing fitness? Should you do nothing? Do short speed stuff? Do easy workouts? What do you think? Thanks!

[corey]

I'm a cyclist, but because of you guys and this channel, I've taken up running as a way to keep my cardiovascular health happy in the winter. (I'll get to swimming soon.)
My question: How do I set reasonable goals for running? I can run 10 km with not too much drama, and I'm toying with entering a half or full marathon later this year. How do I determine a reasonable pace to aim for? How quickly can I expect to progress to being able to run a full marathon, given my beginner (1 month) starting point? How should I manage my expectations?
Thank you! Keep up the great vids!

[Foolsrule]

Hey guys great video, can you give an example of how 'easy' you should go on rests weeks compared to your regular weeks?

[alvinmartin]

Is it worth buying a training program from training peaks? What is the advantage of them over freely available ones?

[nolwenncretin]

Love this show... keep going guys ! My question is: in order to evaluate your progression it’s good to do tests (always the same in same environment and check the improvement or not). Can you use your rest week to perform that kind of test ?

[_japmejia]

Hi,

Do you guys have any videos about mixing triathlon training and weight lifting?

[NicholasWoodley]

HIIT training. Does it work and what are the benefits and risks? If you have a better strategy what is it?

[CarolusMagnus]

Hello GTN, when should I eat what? (for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

[MrPdsalinas]

Planning for the 70.3 in Madison WI. Thanks so much for the great videos, can't overstate how good they are! I am quite addicted to them and surely will have withdrawal symptoms in the off season when I am not watching them daily. Any videos about muscle recovery strategies, such as compression stockings, cold water, massage, etc? I am 43, work full time and have to take statins (familial hypercholesterolemia), which are not the most muscle friendly medications. No worries, I am not asking for medical advice, just wondering if there is some evidence for anything that aids in muscle recovery especially during high intensity weeks.

[PATMR]

Question: Is there any reason not to wear a sleeved suit in a short distance race (sprint/oly)? Sleeved suits seem to always test faster in the wind tunnel but many pros still go sleeveless for short course racing

[casualguy]

So, the only thing I actually got out of the video for structuring my triathlon training plan was "Use a mesocycle" and "Use a macrocycle" because the last week is a rest week.