Why I’m Using Training Peaks To Get Me To Boulder 70.3 Half Ironman

I’ve been in Colorado for almost a year and the majority of my triathlon training has been either last on the list or non-existent at times… and for good reason. Transitioning life into a new marriage, step kids and a living in a new city hasn’t been entirely easy, but well worth it. But now it’s time to get serious which is why I’m using Training Peaks to get me to Boulder 70.3 Half Ironman.

I knew there would come a time when life would settle into feeling more “at home” and when it did, it would be time to jump back into training.

The difference between training here in Colorado Springs vs. training in Nashville is pretty big. Nashville has a huge triathlon community that is very close and active as a community. Excel Triathletes Swimming was huge part of training for me not to mention having a great coach and great friends to ride and run with.

Surprisingly, there’s not a big close triathlon community in Colorado Springs. I’ve met a few triathletes here but finding that right group for riding and swimming is tough.

So, I’ve always known about Training Peaks and being one who likes a plan, I thought I would give this a tri try.

I signed up for an account and bought a half ironman plan for my race in August, Boulder 70.3 Half Ironman. The plan is written by Gale Bernhardt. I’ll be doing a few smaller races along the way to prepare, but this plan should get me where I want to be…. Which is in a more consistent routine I can count on.

In the past, having a coach was awesome to ask questions and to work out with at times. She would provide me workouts weekly.

The difference here is I won’t have access to the coach who wrote the plan. That’s ok. She has a blog I can ask questions when the need arises.

For you athletes who have been using Training Peaks… How has the experience been for you? Any tips and tricks you want to share?

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Category: Triathlon
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  • Gale

    Well, you do have some access – I try to answer questions from athletes that use my plans and often I turn those into columns or blog posts. By doing this, multiple athletes can benefit.

    That written, sometimes I do get behind in answering emails during race season. If I don’t answer right away, don’t be discouraged.

    Hope you have fun ~

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      Hey Gail! That’s so good to know. I’ve been looking through the plan today and I think it’s going to be great. I was looking at your site as well. I think you might have answers on your blog for questions I haven’t asked yet:)
      Thanks again. I’m really looking forward to getting back into a consistent schedule and stick to a plan. I picked yours because you seem to be willing to engage people online and make sure athletes are well equipped.
      I was right. That’s for engaging and keep up the great work!

  • David Meredith

    Spence,

    You probably don’t remember but you were my counselor at CBH in ’89 or ’90.  I recently ran across your blog; good to see you are doing well.  We’ll actually be in your area this summer for a conference and family reunion.   I have done a few sprints over the past couple of years, and plan to complete my first olympic later this summer with an eventual goal of a 70.3 later this fall or early next year.  We live in The Woodlands, home of IM TX this weekend.  A good friend of ours is racing hoping to qualify for Kona in the 40-44 age group – so I’m sure that will be good inspiration for me.  

    I started using training peaks earlier this year because my new watch (Ironman Run Trainer) links up to it.  I find that it is nice to look back and see what I did and how my times have improved.  But, I do have to remember to log in and input swim info since that does not automatically download.  I don’t have the premium package but I do get to see previous workouts with some good data.  I’m sure I don’t use it to it’s full potential though.  

    I’m curious about your 70.3 training plan.  Is it customized for you based on your current conditioning and your eventual goal, or does everyone get the same basic plan?  What I am looking for is a plan to help me know what I need to do throughout the week to get me ready for an upcoming event.  I swim with a local masters group twice a week, get a long ride in on Saturday before the family wakes up, a couple of other rides on the trainer after the kids are in bed, and a run or two sometime during the week; all of that adds up to about 6-8 hours of training p/week.  But, I basically just kind of make it up as I go along and I’m sure a customized plan would help.  

    There is a large triathlon community here and a couple of groups you can join to get professional coaching.  But they are quite expensive and don’t fit in our budget.  

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      Hey David!! I remember you well!!! so good to hear from you. Especially since you are getting into triathlon. 

      Training Peaks has been awesome. I know a lot of people who use it and it’s everything they said it was… or is. 

      my plan isn’t customized for me but it’s just want i need to get to the starting line.

      my former coach used similar plans so i kind of new what i was in for. Even when i had a coach, she would customize it some but only based on my race schedule and travel schedule.

      Training Peaks give you plans based on experience as well.

      I love being back on a plan and didn’t realize how much i relied on my coach to keep me in it.

      Let me know if you want to talk on the phone about it. I’m always up to reconnect. good luck on your races!