Triathlon, 70.3 and IRONMAN training advice from Optimal Endurance coaches: session structure, race preparation, tapering, training camps and race-day strategy.
I've sent more athletes to Mallorca than I can count on both hands, and I'll say this upfront: a training camp won't fix a training plan that's already broken. It will, however, let you bank the kind of volume and consistency that's nearly impossible to find in a UK winter and that's exactly why the […]
With IRONMAN Wales and autumn 70.3s now inside a week for some of you, this is the point where training stops making a meaningful difference and everything else starts to matter. We've covered tapering and put together a full race checklist before — this is the shorter, sharper version for the week itself. The Fitness […]
If you've been training for a while, you'll have heard the term "brick session" thrown around. If you're heading into an autumn IRONMAN or 70.3, now is exactly the time to make sure they're a proper fixture in your week — not just an afterthought tacked on when there's time. What Is a Brick Session? […]
Heat training has become one of the most talked about performance tools in endurance sport. From WorldTour cyclists training indoors in winter jackets to professional triathletes spending time in saunas and hot baths, more athletes are using heat as a deliberate training stimulus. But despite the growing evidence, many age-group athletes still avoid it altogether. […]
So you've signed up for your first Ironman 70.3. Maybe you clicked register on a whim, maybe it's been on your bucket list for years — either way, you're probably now staring at the confirmation email wondering what on earth comes next. First, take a breath. The 70.3 — a 1.9km swim, 90km bike, and […]
It's one of the first questions anyone asks when they sign up for their first IRONMAN — and one of the hardest to answer with a single number. Type it into Google and you'll find everything from 8 hours to 20 hours a week. So which is it? The truth is, it depends. But that's […]
You've caught the triathlon bug. You've watched the finish line videos, read the race reports, and somewhere in the back of your mind a voice is saying: I want to do that. Now comes the question almost every aspiring long-course triathlete faces — do you start with a 70.3, or go straight for the full […]
Training camps are great. The sun, the roads, and the like-minded company inevitably make for a brilliant time, and it is no wonder why athletes from all over flock to the warmer climes for their endorphin fuelled endurance fix year on year. But what if I were to tell you that your week away could […]
Taking on a half-Ironman / full Ironman distance triathlon is a huge achievement. As a woman in triathlon you’re joining a community of determined and capable athletes but you may also be navigating unique challenges and experiences that men will not. Whether you’re feeling excitement, nerves or both, here is how to approach your first […]
When the days are short, the weather is grim, and the sofa is calling, winter training for triathlon can feel like a battle of willpower. But winter is also where the main work gets done, it’s the season that lays the foundation for spring and summer racing. With the right strategies, you can stay healthy, […]
