1/2 IM Training Program

I think that depends...

If you have (or had) injuries in the past... then concentrating on a longer prep phase may be an advantage.

On the other hand, the advantage to stretching out the training program for the entire period would provide the biggest advantage for building a stronger base. IMO, using the entire time period to establish a longer training to recovery cylcle would give the best long term benefit. But more important, it also reduces the chances of getting sick and/or injured while building the base and incurring the progressive increases in training loads.

Unless you have bio-mechanical issues or prone to injuries, IMO it would make more sense to stretch the training period out over the entire 20 week period. Afterall, there is no rule that said you can't continue to incorporate prep-like training during your recovery weeks. So, I don't think it is a necessarilly an "either-or" type question.

My .02 worth...

FWIW Joe Moya

I'm in the same boat you are (are you doing Timberman?). I plan on starting the 1/2 IM training prog in April but over the last couple months I have been focusing on swim technique and bike and run endurance. For the swim I figured technique for a newbie is much more of a limiter than endurance. For the bike I think I will end up doing longer rides than are in the prog. And for the run I wanted to be able to do the 60 min week one long run, so I've focused on bringing up my volume SLOWLY so as to not aggravate my knee.

If you can already do the prep week workouts, it might be a good idea to add a little time/distance to your bike and run workouts. Having a good base certainly can't hurt.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes - I am planing on doing the Timberman in August. A have a copuple of friends that are doing it with me, so me are rooting each other on.

Pardon my ignorance, but what does IMO stand for?

I'm using the same program right now. I filled the gaps by repeating the base training periods, not the prep periods.

I'm also doing timberman in August and using the 20 week plan, and I'm spending my time until April improving my swim and bike technique and just generally staying active most days.  I was thinking of starting about now and doing the prep phase three times, but I was worried that that would get a little stale... 

I'm in the same boat. I'm waiting to start the program until I'm exactly 20 weeks out from mine at the end of July. My biggest fear of starting it sooner is burnout. I've just been trying to gradually build base for this season to see if it will help me during season. Never built base before and my times usually suck - correlation???

JG

Take it from my experience, the second worst thing you can do is to start to soon, peak to early and burnout 6 weeks before the rance. In my past years doing marathons I would start early and burn out about 10 weeks before the race and absolutely hate running by race day. I am doing my first TRI at the end of July (1/2 Vineman) and am determined not to peak to soon this time. That being said I am a obsessive type person so am already trying to increase my swim and bike times. Hopefully I will find a balance and be able to hold off training in earnest for a few more weeks.

I am glad to see others are wrestling with the same fundamental question I have. Based on all of your comments, I think what I am going to do is stretch out the 20 week program to fit the time frame I have (starting from now that is about 27 weeks) by repeating some of the base weeks... If I want/need to take a few days off to recover and avoid burn-out, I'll have the ability to do that. I'll let everyone know how things are going in a few weeks. Thanks,