Has anyone done the Half Distance Triathlon (12 Weeks) training plan? and if so what was good/bad about it and how did it go on race day for you? I’m starting it on the 6th July, 12 weeks out from Ironman 70.3 which I’ve done before and already have a 12 week training plan in training peaks that was successful for me in the past but I’m going to give the SUF plan a go. Any advice, tips or thoughts?
1 Like
I had a custom SUF plan for my last 70.3 in Austria last year, I was great and I felt really strong on the bike and my legs were a bit better than usual running off the bike.
While the preparation was good, the execution was lacking and egged on by the buttery smooth Austrian roads I went too hard on the bike and really suffered for the first half of the run 
♂
3 Likes
Hi @Bigbeardeddad.KoS, I have used it a few times now. My PB came down by about 15 minutes, so I can tell you the plans are great. Feel free to pm me if you want to ask any specific questions.
5 Likes
Be sure to choose the plan without strength if you want the plan to end on race day. The plan with strength is an off season plan and ends with testing.
If you’d like a copy of the plan for TrainingPeaks to log your run and swim, send us an email at theminions@thesufferfest.com and we can get you set up with that!
4 Likes
Thank you so much. That would be great. I will email now. Appreciate it.
3 Likes
is that true for all plans with strength as a general concept?
1 Like
No, this is particular to the triathlon plans. Although, in any other plan, you should consider tapering off the strength training a few weeks prior to your event. The work is done, anything more just adds extra fatigue.
2 Likes
I started it but then my race got cancelled so switched focus to something else. I am not the best at following plans. I didn’t do the swimming sessions in the plan because I swim with a swim club so just did my swim club swimming. Might get a custom plan next year.
2 Likes
I have used the Oly plan and recently abandoned the full plan (race postponed) and liked both. Bike workouts were appropriately proportioned and I was surprised how much I enjoyed the run workouts.
2 Likes
Hey all,
Are your swim venues open yet?
Have you done the SUF Strength Swim Focus videos?
3 Likes
Our pool re-opened yesterday! We must pre-book lanes, can book for 45 minutes, one lane per person unless from the same household. Can only arrive to the locker room 15 minutes before hand and have to be out within 15 minutes after. The open spots booked up pretty quickly!
The SUF Strength swim sessions have been awesome in the interim but I’m definitely looking forward to getting back into the pool…if there’s ever a spot open!
3 Likes
No, haven’t done the SUF swim strength focus videos. I didn’t realise there was such a thing. Now I know I’ll go have a look at them. Yes, the pool has been open for about a month here and same as @Dame.Ellisa.Podemski pool lanes must be pre booked for 45 mins at a time. The 6am bookings are near on impossible to get hold of so I joined a triathlon club to do my swim sessions as they have 2 lanes booked out for 4 sessions a week so I had been doing 2 swims a week with them. Until, that is… I went for a hike this last weekend and re-bulged a disc in my lower back which I had done before a few times over the past 5 or 6 years. I am now on my 5th day laid flat on my back in bed unable to do much other watch Netflix. It’s safe to say even if my next Ironman 70.3 does go ahead in 10 weeks, I won’t be on the start line! But that’s ok, I’ve come back from this same injury a few times now. I’ll be patient and start the SUF triathlon training over again in about 3 or 4 months time.
2 Likes
OMG - the dreaded double-brick… So terrible, but it will prepare you to unleash fury like no other on race day. The base plans are fantastic, but I cannot recommend the custom tri plans enough. I’ve personally used @Coach.Spencer.R, and can tell you that he really know’s his stuff.
4 Likes
My swimming reservoir limits time to 50 minutes too, which is fine for long swims & threshold work, but it can be tough if there’s a lot of technique stuff and you want to be fresh for the drills. It’s be nice if there was an option for more frequent shorter sessions or dry land cools downs.
1 Like
Many pools are still closed, and I honestly don’t want to go swim at my regular spot until this clears up.
Maybe we could get a duathlon plan? Paging Dr. @Coach.Spencer.R!
2 Likes
Hey @Sir_Clayton,
I hear you! In the meantime we can always customize a duathlon plan.
4 Likes
I actually think Covid transforms many triathletes into duathletes. The logistics of getting into the water are a pain in my butt.
And believe it or not, my wife doesn’t let me spend 40k on a nice indoor pool. Pff… 
(God bless her for not letting me do this. She’s the reasonable one.)
On the chance of repeating myself in every topic: +1 for the duathlon plan.
5 Likes
I know this is old, but… This is exactly where I’m still at. 
Who knew when I started my triathlon journey 2.5 years ago that I’d end up as a cyclist that occasionally dabbles in running.
1 Like
Hah, same here. I feel your pain.
I‘m an optimist and want to try to awaken the triathlete in me. I just don’t see many opportunities.
It didn’t stop me from signing on to a small sprint event in September, though. Hope I don’t drown.
1 Like
My event from last May is now rescheduled to this coming Oct. But based on the non-vaccine situation for kids 11 and under, and my son being immunocompromised, I can’t risk going out to swim or even doing an event and then possibly bringing it back home.
So maybe if a kids vaccine comes out before then I can do a duathlon. Otherwise, I’m just waiting until 2022 to show off my awesome cycling form. Lol.