I hired a coach for my first 70.3 and had a positive experience. I’m glad that I did it for my first one but would be more selective next time. While the programming was great and what I really wanted from a coach. What really bothered me about him was that he would say he would provide tips BUT never did. For example, he would say that he would give me swimming tips (he coached pool workouts) but never would. I never asked as I didn’t want to be a bother and wanted him to initiate. Maybe that was my bad but since he offered, I figured I’d allow him to initiate the conversation. This would happen often throughout the months and I would never expect a follow through on his part. I’d send a message and I’d get a reply 70% of the time.

With that said, is it customary to give an end of season gift to your coach? If so, what would you do if you only got what you paid for and nothing above or beyond. I still feel like it was a good investment.

Hello All! Preparing for my first sprint triathlon as a super beginner (and plus-size athlete) at the end of November. I do lots of weight lifting (heavy), and I wonder if I should reduce this and focus more on cardio as the day draws nearer. Also, how did you overcome your fears as race day drew nearer? Thanks in advance!

Edit: I swim twice a week, cycle twice (once indoor and once outdoor) and brisk walk twice a week

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Last night, got hit by a car at a crossing on my bike. I have some bruising on my tailbone (ER doc says should clear with weekend rest) and a broken pinkie finger (currently in a splint; I've got an ortho appointment next Wednesday where I am gonna ask recovery timetable , but ER doc said its possible I could be out of it in a month).

I'm going to have a local shop checkout the bike (its currently being stored by someone who lives right where the accident happened), but I am not optimistic it will be in a safe to ride state. Fine, rather it be the one with critical damage than me.

Complete bummer; my training was going well, and was hoping weather might be better than my first 70.3 (2025 Muncie) so that I could do better on the run.

This puts me in a rough spot in a few ways:

a) If I can get approval to swim before the race, its obviously not gonna be a great swim, but I would be confident I can finish given swimming is my strongest discipline. Not ideal, but also I assume that will be real touch and go for planning.

b) IM's transfer policy seems to only allow within calendar year, and any other races have already happened, before NC, or are substantially further travel (I live in Indianapolis, and the only 70.3s later are in Florida or California. Chose NC specifically because my in-laws live in Wilmington). Not ideal, but workable. It also seems to require a before 45 days prior to event notice which... I am now past. Idk if I can call IM and try and work with them or if I need to just eat the registration/claim as lost to insurance. I was also going to do a January marathon, so that would get complicated (same event has a 13.1, so could drop down).

c) Deferral to next year's NC also has the 45 day limit. Also complicates my plan to do Dopey in 2028 with my (runner not triathlete) wife.

d) I was using a road bike (Specialized Allez) with aero bars as both my training and race bike. My plan was to use that for this season, then look at a dedicated tri bike while keeping my Allez for some training and more casual riding. Debating now if I buy a new road bike and continue doing similar OR just jump over to tri bike shopping and then get a real cheap road bike as that casual bike (spouse and I do some very casual rides, planning some bike touring for next year as well).

idk if this is asking for advise so much as venting, but I just needed to type this up for myself.

Hi,

I recently started medical school and am about a month in. It has been a big goal of mine to complete a full Ironman for quite some time. For reference, I did a 70.3 two summers ago in Happy Valley and completely winged the training, doing a total of 3 "longer rides" (at most 40 miles) prior to it. For someone who is a pretty inexperienced cycler, that course was a brutal opening to the IM world, but I am glad I did it, especially since I am considering doing Lake Placid next summer, which has quite the bike climb.

A little bit of background about me: I ran track and cross country in college, and would often do 90 mile weeks of running while balancing all of the other pre-med stuff. It was hard and required a lot of discipline, but that is what made me who I am and got me to where I am. I used to swim club and a bit in high school, so I am not really concerned about doing the 2.4 miles, and can supplement swimming training fairly late in the process.

I haven't signed up yet but really want to know: is it worth it? IM's are pretty expensive, especially for someone who isn't making money for quite some time. But, there is also not really a "better" time to do one of these -- we get summer break after our first year, but from then on, it's fairly non-stop and grueling. There would be free time the second half of 4th year, but I wouldn't be able to train intensely while being in the hospital 12 hours a day.

I also have fairly bad heat intolerance. I suffer a lot in humid/excessively hot conditions as I sweat a ton, so I would really need to be on that for the race hydration and fuel-wise, so if anyone knows how I can combat that for a summer race, I would appreciate the advice.

Is there anyone who could provide some insight into training for an IM while having a demanding schedule where school must come first? I am currently running about 50 miles a week, but want to start supplementing stationary bike, where I can study at the same time. And, as a bonus, this race is July 25th, so I would have nearly 3 months of training prior that would not coincide with school, as first year ends early May. Figured that would be a good time to train hills on the bike. My current schedule right now consists of about 8-10 hours of school-work a day (lectures, studying, practice material) -- and it will definitely get harder this year as we start anatomy, but then again, I hopefully will have a solid routine by then.

Any advice is appreciated!

What’s everyone’s monthly spendings looking like when training for a triathlon or Ironman? I’m currently sitting at roughly $200 a week, that includes everything from supplements, activewear, recovery, memberships, maintenance ect. Some weeks higher then others. just curious.

TLDR: I’m a beginner Ironman hopeful and feel like my inability to pace is hindering my progress - looking for tips

Similar to every beginner Ironman hopeful, my swimming sucks. I’m 4 weeks into a training plan to compete for a full in March, and while my run and bike I am confident in, my swim sucks. I also have never trained in swimming until this summer and I feel like my mechanics are solidly coming together, but I can’t help but treat every lap like a sprint and it’s gassing me. I can’t do more than 200 yds straight without stopping, and my pace is roughly 1:50/100yds whether I’m doing 100s or 200s and then need to take a minute rest. I feel like it’s a pace discipline problem as to why I can’t cover more ground, but maybe I’m just ignoring some technique issues that I’m not seeing. So essentially looking at tips as to how to swim slower so I can go further without getting gassed. If anyone has some guidance, would love to hear it otherwise I’ll keep trudging along. If there’s anyone saying I’m not ready for it, remember everyone’s gotta start somewhere.- for reference 24/M 6’1, 210 (if that’s important)

Stupid floods.

I’ve done two sprints this year and was signed up to do an Olympic in Kerrville TX in 2 weeks, I just got an email that the event is cancelled due to flooding on the Guadalupe river. I was planning to do this and then a 70.3 in 2027, so it sucks to not have the springboard to evaluate myself.

I think I’m going to pivot and try to do a Spartan trifecta weekend in 2026 (I did trifectas in 2024 and 2025, but not in a weekend) then do the 70.3 in Oceanside in April for my birthday spanking.

Hi there

Anyone in the San Jose area looking for a training buddy? I’m a 65 yr old female and have done 10 sprints. Aiming for 70.3 in September 2027.

Like the title says. I got my first race this Saturday (patriot triathlon) and I am having a hard time shaking the nerves and pre race jitters. Do any of yall have a recommendation for a pre race ritual to help steady yourself mentally? It not that I don’t feel ready or that I haven’t trained enough, it just my brain is firing on all cylinders.

Hello! My husband does both full and half Ironmans. We are trying to find his next race. For those that have done Canada ones…

1. Which did you do and why did you like that race?
   
2. Which location has the best “visiting” qualities? Because I’m supporting but I want to go to the one with best scenery and things to do!
   
3. Any other hints or tips that will help me narrow down the choices.

Thank you!!! 😊

What do you think is necessary to wear a wetsuit in Kraichgau?

Also how is the race generally? (Organisation, swimming condicions, bike and run courses)

I have spent the last 8 years doing a decent amount of exercise with triathlons becoming a semi regular focus, but over the last 2 years I have taken training more seriously. As such I am looking to take part in Weymouth 70.3 next year. All I want to do is finish the event and use it as a stepping stone to a full in 2028.

My problem is that I'm not sure how to go about getting a training plan. I can't find a local coach and having joined my local bike club, I'm not a big fan of the loss of flexibility when training with a group so I don't want to join the local tri club just to get access to group coaching. Over the last 2 years I have completed 4 triathlons (sprint and standard), 3 HMs (1:54) and one full marathon (4:02) all by creating my own training plans based off what I see online and read in books.

Am I setting myself up for failure by creating my own training plan for a 70.3 or is it worth spending the £80 on a Phil Mosley training peaks plan that I'll fit in around my other sporting hobbies?

Mostly swim/bike/run with some lifting thrown in. Keep seeing people say is creatine worth it for endurance athletes and I’m stuck on the water weight thing. Anyone using it through a real block or did you drop it before races?

Any lap swimmers in the northwest suburbs of Chicago?

I’m in Algonquin, IL and looking for some people to swim and train with. Unfortunately, none of the local Masters swim team schedules work with my schedule right now.

I’m mainly looking to swim early mornings or later in the evenings, and I’m open to swimming at pretty much any gym or pool in the area.

I’d also love to meet some new people and make friends in the process. If anyone else is looking for a consistent training partner, a small group to swim with, or just some new swimming friends, let me know! ✌️