How to Plan Your Triathlon Racing Season

How to Plan Your Triathlon Racing Season

Planning a successful triathlon season requires careful consideration to achieve your goals while avoiding burnout. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:

1. Set Clear Goals and Track Progress

Define what you want to achieve, whether it's completing a specific distance, setting a personal best, or qualifying for a championship. Make sure your goals are realistic and fit with your other life commitments. Break down long-term goals into shorter-term milestones to monitor your progress.

2. Choose Your Races Strategically

Select races based on your goals and prioritize them:

- A-Races: Your main focus, limited to 2-3 per year, requiring the most preparation and recovery.

- B-Races: Important but secondary, used as preparation for A-Races, scheduled 4-6 weeks before.

- C-Races: Treated as training or practice events, scheduled more flexibly.

3. Plan Your Training Phases

Triathlon training typically includes three phases:

- Base Phase: Builds foundational fitness over 8-12 weeks with low-intensity, high-volume training.

- Build Phase: Increases intensity and race-specific preparation for 6-8 weeks.

- Specialty Phase: Fine-tunes fitness and includes tapering for peak performance over 4-6 weeks.

4. Tailor Training Plans to Race Distance

Training plans vary depending on the race distance:

- Sprint Triathlon: 12-16 weeks

- Olympic Distance: 16-20 weeks

- Half-Ironman (70.3): 20-24 weeks

- Full Ironman: 24-36 weeks

5. Prioritize Recovery and Adaptability

Incorporate recovery weeks after intense training blocks and between races to prevent overtraining. Stay flexible and adjust your plan based on progress or unexpected changes like illness or personal commitments.

6. Focus on Nutrition and Equipment

Develop a nutrition plan that supports both training and race day performance. Test different strategies during training to find what works best for you. Also, ensure your equipment is suited for race conditions and practice with it during training.

By thoughtfully planning your season with these factors in mind, you can maximize both performance and enjoyment throughout the year.

⬇️ Watch our full video by clicking the image below. There is a FREE download link in the YouTube description! ⬇️

Interested in us doing all the work for you? (well, the planning...not the training. You will always need to do that! :) ). Check out triathlon coaching and training options below:

• Do3 Triathlon Training Plans: https://www.do3.co.uk/do3-triathlon-training-plans-p1-2582

• Triathlon Coaching: https://www.do3.co.uk/triathlon-coaching

Or need to chat? Book a call with one of our coaches: https://www.do3.co.uk/booking-calendar-dave-knight

Happy Training!

Dave Knight

Do3 Head Coach and Founder