IM long bike/run training advice

For one you have to trust the plan.  My max bike ride was 6.5 hours and the plan also included maybe 2 5-6 hour rides on top of that?  I can't remember.  But for me personally if I were to go back adn train for another IM I would bike more, since that was my weakest sport and I could use more work on it.

For the run, my max run on the plan was only 2.5 hours, but I actually did 3 hours max since I felt like I needed a longer run in.  I do know that most plans don't have you run more than 3 hours- it's just not a good idea.

From my IM training experience, I didn't think my runs were long enough and had planned to run/walk the IM marathon.   However, I felt great on race day and was able to run the entire marathon and only walk aid stations.  I learned my lesson to trust the plan and stick with it.  I was better trained than I thought I was and finsihed in 14:20, and that was being conservative during the entire IM

Sorry I can't answer all your questions but I just wanted to let you know what my experience was.  good luck!

This is a reason why a coach is a good idea for IM training. Whatever YOUR specific limiter is, that is where you need to spend the most time. Someone who comes from a competative swimming background doesn't need to spend 4 days a week in the pool, those two extra exercise periods could be used to strength train or work on cycling or running technique. If you are an athlete who is going to be out on the bike course for 7 or 8 hours then your time might be better spent becoming stronger and more efficient on the bike, rather than extra run time or swim time.

This is the problem that I have with general plans for ultra endurance events, they will probably get you to the finish line, but they don't address YOUR specific needs.

I'm no expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Since you are a MOP or BOP (like myself) I would look for a plan that is longer than 12 weeks. In my last two IM's I used 24 week training plans. That way you are getting in more than just one 6 hour bike or 3 hour run. The more the better as far as I'm concerned as long as it is done safely.

And get a coach

I was a BOP/MOP'er and used the BT gold "1/2 IM to IM bridge plan."  It was only a 3 month IM specific training plan.  But it worked well since I had come off a 1/2 IM in May, and maintained and focused on biking my first century and then started that plan.  I would definitely use that plan again.  Also, if you have a gold membership, you'll have access to a few more training plan options and have access to the coaches- who are readily available to give you personal training advice to help you along the way.  For me it was worth upgrading to the gold plan, but that was just my personal preference.

There's so many different approaches to training, and everyone will have their own opinions and ideas.  You have to find what works best for you and fits best into your lifestyle.  If you're looking to finish comfrotably, then I would pick a plan and stick to it.  It's hard if you've never done an IM to know what to expect, since it's differnet than any other type of race.  Most of us who competed in IM FL used BT IM plans and did much better than we had expected, so I'm sure you'll do great using a plan from this site or somewhere else.

Tom was my coach when I first started. Great guy, taught me alot about triathlon and training.

First, you need to trust your plan and your training.  Once you decide on a plan, stick to it unless there is something obviously not going right.

I used the HIM to IM bridge plan from BT.

My plan for IMFL had one each: 5:30 hour, 6:00 hour, and 6:30 hour bike ride with brick runs after.  The original plan had a max long run of 2.5 hours.  I didn't think this was long enough, so I adjusted the plan to max out the long run at 3 hours.  Running more than 3 hours is usually not advised.  Runs longer than 3 hours take too long to recover from and interfere with the rest of your training. 

FWIW, I also had one mega training day where I swam 1 hour, biked 5 hours and ran 1 hour; all back to back just like a race.  This was a huge confidence booster. 

TJ