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Feedback: Training plan & familiarisation camp
The UK 70.3 training plan gave me the confidence I needed walking down to the start at Wimbleball. I knew I had completed a solid bank of training and could complete the course. Like many Wimbleball newbies it was the bike I feared most, yet on the day it was my strongest discipline. That is a testament to the work put in following the plan.
The plan itself was clear and easy to follow. Having the sessions emailed to me was great reminder. It is difficult self coaching and I’m sure some of the sessions I cruised but that is my motivation not a criticism of the plan.
I always printed and laminated the swim sessions to take to the pool. I did two weeks at a time so being able to do that quicker would be nice.
Thanks to your support I knew not to panic when I wasn’t able to follow every session completely. I do know that had I been able to complete the full longer run sessions I would have got a better result. But what age grouper doesn’t enter a race wishing they had had more time to train!
The result 6:29:07. Not the Sub 6 I had hoped but like many before me I got the nutrition wrong and suffered a cramped filled 2:10 run. So I know the plan delivered me ready to go quicker, the swim and bike were on schedule just that fourth discipline to get right & getting that 2nd long in each week.
In addition to the plan I completed VO2 tests and attended one of the familiarisation camps. I cannot over praise the training camp, it was a brilliant day spent with top coaches. Riding the bike course, being encouraged and offered advice the whole way made such a difference come race day. Great advice and I thought I remembered all of it. I was careful with my red matches, I upgraded from a 25 to 27, I rode thinking I had one gear to go and I thought I monitored my nutrition. OK, so 3 out 4 but must tri harder.
I also found the VO2 tests a real confidence boost. Being able to measure those improvements from training really helped me.
Thanks for your support on those sessions and the follow up advice. Not sure what your target was but 5:21 looks good from where I’m standing – congratulations.
Thank you both for your encouragement and support during training.
CHW
