A Triathlon Training Plan For Your First Ironman

Ready to tackle your first Ironman or iron-distance event? Check out our expertly written training plan specifically for first-timers.

Photo: Tyler Neville/Triathlete

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Facing the challenge of your first iron-distance race and finishing strong is an incredible personal accomplishment. Arriving at the start line feeling prepared gives you an important confidence boost for race day, and this Ironman training plan will arm first-timers with the mental and physical tools needed for a successful finish.

This Ironman training plan is not for someone starting out in triathlon; rather, athletes should build up to the demands of training for the full iron distance by training for and racing progressively longer distances. Before starting this first-time Ironman training plan, you should be fit enough to have completed a minimum of three two-plus-hour runs, three four-plus-hour rides, and several 3,000-plus-yard swims. Preferably, you should be “race fit,” meaning you have recently completed one or two half-iron distance triathlons (AKA 70.3s). If you haven’t done that, start with our Super Simple Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Training Plan or A 20-Week Training Plan for Your First 70.3 Triathlon.

To maximize the efficacy of this Ironman training plan, take the time to test and create your personal heart rate zones before starting (here’s how).

Looking for even more resources on training for your first Ironman triathlon? Check out Triathlete’s Complete Guide on How to Train for an Ironman.

Ready to take on 140.6 miles of swim-bike-run? This Ironman training plan will help you build on your current triathlon fitness.
Ready to take on 140.6 miles of swim-bike-run? This Ironman training plan will help you build on your current triathlon fitness. (Photo: Brad Kaminski/Triathlete)

About Your First Ironman Training Plan

Structure:

This is the final nine weeks of training for an athlete preparing for his or her first Ironman. The first six weeks follow a pattern alternating two weeks of build, one week of recovery. Week 7 is a peak week, followed by weeks 8 and 9, the taper weeks.

There are three workouts of each sport per week during key training weeks. There are many chances to practice your nutrition in longer sessions, and lots of practice running off the bike.

Types of workouts:

There are several types of workouts involved in this Ironman training plan. They include:

  • Threshold: Keeps you cardiovascularly fit—if your threshold pace is faster, your resulting endurance “base” pace will also be faster.
  • Endurance: The “meat and potatoes” of an Ironman training plan.
  • Strength: Regularly swimming with paddles, running hills and cycling with low cadence work will build strength and durability of your muscles.
  • Recovery: Get fresh to go hard again.
  • Aerobic power: Strong aerobic sessions performed at a sustained pace, or gradually building pace, at a moderate level of intensity, which build endurance while maintaining good form.
  • Brick: Running immediately after a ride to get used to the sensation and learn strategies for pushing through. More on brick workouts here.
  • Run/Walk: To get into the rhythm of walking through aid stations, practicing refueling, and staying on your run legs for longer periods of time in training.

You may be wondering about the run/walk workouts, so let me explain: This Ironman training plan includes three longer run/walk sessions to get into the rhythm of walking through aid stations, practicing refueling, and staying on your run legs for longer periods of time in training. It is important to not try to run the entire distance, or go faster or longer than indicated portions, as the resulting body breakdown and recovery required will derail upcoming training sessions. Week 7 ends with a two-hour run/walk off of a 3.5-hour ride—a perfect chance to practice your pacing and nutrition strategies.

There will also be a few recovery weeks built in to this training plan. Recovery is when the body heals up and gets stronger. Avoid the temptation to go long on the weekend and save your energy for the next two-week build. The same is true for taper week, when you scale back on workouts ahead of the race. During taper, stay focused on the goals of each session, but also create time to recover like a pro.

A note on fueling

Nutrition is critical to a successful Ironman. Generally athletes will strive for 250–400 calories per hour of carbohydrates on the bike, and 200–350 calories per hour on the run. This is accompanied by 750ml–1.5L of fluid per hour, and 500–1,000mg of sodium per liter of fluid consumed. The specific recipe that works best for each athlete is highly individual. Log your nutrition in training, record how your body reacts and adjust the protocol accordingly to find your own successful combination. There are many experts who can advise you on what will work for your body type and digestion. In training, fuel with what you plan to use on race day; if you wish to make use of the aid stations, research what will be served at your race and order the same formulations to practice with in training.

Ironman training plan key

' Minutes
" Seconds
hr Hour
alt Alternate
GRP Goal Race Pace
HR Heart Rate
(#') Recovery Interval
Zn Heart Rate Zone

Ironman Training Plan for First-Timers

Week 1

Monday Day Off
Tuesday Run: 80’, hills.
• Include 6x3’ hill (3’ jog), Zn 3 rise to Zn 4, on road or treadmill at 4–6% incline.
Wednesday Swim: 2500, threshold.
• Include 10x50 (20”) as 25 fast, 25 easy. • 20x50 (20”) performed at your best average pace for the set. all swims should include 600–1000 warm-up and 200–400 cool-down.
Bike: 90’, recovery and technique.
• Include 5-8 x 1’ (1’) at 100–110 RPM, Zn 2. Flat terrain.
Thursday Bike: 2 hr, strength.
• Include 3x10’ (5’) at 50–60 RPM, Zn 2. Best performed on a gradual steady hill or on a trainer pushing a large gear. *Performance pointer* Big gear riding: Concentrate on smooth circles and keep the heel low at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Keep your upper body relaxed.
Friday Swim: 3500, endurance.
• Include 1000 (1’), 500 (30”), 5x200 (20”). Gradually build pace through the set.
Saturday Run: 3 hr, run/walk.
• Alt 9’ at GrP, 1’ brisk walk and refuel. Terrain should simulate Ironman race course.
Swim: 2000, strength.
• Include 2x400 (1’), 2x300 (45”) pull with paddles. steady, even pace with a long stroke. Use small paddles if you are new to this.
Sunday Bike: 4 hr, endurance.
• 15’ Zn 1, with the remaining time at Zn 2 at 85–90+ RPM. Stay in your aerobars as much as possible.
Run: 30’, pace work off the bike.
• Zn 2 (quick transition, <3’). Flat to rolling terrain.

Week 2

Monday Day off
Tuesday Bike: 2 hr, threshold.
• Include 5x1’ (1’) build hr from Zn 3 to 4.
• 5x5’ (5’), Zn 4. Flat terrain. you should include a longer warm-up and cool-down for threshold rides. *Performance pointer* Optimal cycling cadence should be 85–95 RPM for Ironman pace rides. Focus on smooth circles and keep your upper body relaxed.
Wednesday Swim: 2500, threshold.
• Include 6x50 (20”) as 25 fast, 25 easy. • 15x100 (25”) performed at your best average pace for the set.
Bike: 90’, recovery and technique.
• Include 6–10 x 1’ (1’) at 100–110 RPM, Zn 2. Flat terrain.
Thursday Run: 90’, aerobic power.
• Build every 30’, Zn 1 to 2 to 3. Flat to rolling terrain.
Friday Swim: 3500, endurance.
• Include 4x800 (1’). Gradually build pace by 200 within each interval.
Saturday Bike: 5.5 hr, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Run: 30’, pace work off the bike.
• Zn 2 (quick transition, <3’). Flat to rolling terrain.
*Performance pointer* While you train your legs to run right after cycling, train your mind to also be relaxed and patient with the discomfort.
Sunday Run: 2 hr, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Swim: 2000, strength.
• Include 6x200 (30”) pull with paddles. Steady, even pace with a long stroke.

Week 3 – Recovery Week

Monday Day off
Tuesday Bike: 60’, recovery and technique.
• Include 6–10 x 30” (1’) at 100-110 RPM, Zn 2. Flat terrain.
Wednesday Swim: 1500, recovery and technique.
• Include 10x100 alt 100 free, 100 drills. All smooth and easy.
Thursday Run: 45’, recovery. • Zn 1–2. Flat terrain.
Friday Day off
Saturday Run: 45’, recovery.
• Zn 1–2. Flat terrain.
Sunday Run: 60’, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Swim: 1500, strength.
• Include 10x100 (30”) pull with paddles. steady, even pace with a long stroke.

Week 4

Monday Day off
Tuesday Run: 90’, hills.
• Include 10x2’ hill (2’ jogging recovery) Zn 3 rise to Zn 4, on road or treadmill at 4–6% incline.
Wednesday Swim: 2500, threshold.
• Include 12x50 (20”) as 25 fast, 25 easy.
• 10x100 (30”) performed at your best average pace for the set.
Bike: 90’, recovery and technique.
• Include 5–8 x 1:30’ (1’) at 100–110 RPM, Zn 2. Flat terrain.
Thursday Bike: 2 hr, strength.
• Include 3x15’ (7.5’) at 50–60RPM, Zn 2. Best performed on a gradual steady hill, or on a trainer pushing a large gear.
Friday Swim: 4000, endurance.
• Include 4x500 (30”), 4x250 (20”). Gradually build pace through the set.
Saturday Run: 4 hr, run/walk.
• Alt 9’ at GrP, 1’ walk, brisk and refuel. Terrain should simulate Ironman race course.
Swim: 2000, strength.
• Include 800 (1’), 4x150 (35”) pull with paddles. Steady, even pace with a long stroke.
Sunday Bike: 3 hr, endurance.
• 15’ Zn 1, with the remaining time Zn 2 at 85–90+ RPM. Stay in your aerobars as much as possible.
Run: 30’, pace work off the bike.
• Zn 2 (quick transition, <3’). Flat to rolling terrain.
*Performance Pointer* Be organized and quick when doing transition runs to simulate race day.

Week 5

Monday Day off
Tuesday Bike: 2 hr, threshold.
• Include 5x1’ (1’) build hr from Zn 3 to 4. 6x3’ (3’) Zn 4. Flat terrain.
Wednesday Swim: 2500, threshold.
• Include 6x50 (20”) as 25 fast, 25 easy.
• 15x100 (15”) performed at your best average pace for the set.
Bike: 90’, recovery and technique.
• Include 6–10 x 1.5’ (1’) at 100–110 RPM, Zn 2. Flat terrain.
Thursday Run: 75’, aerobic power.
Friday Swim: 4000, endurance.
• Include 3000 non-stop. Gradually build pace by 1000 within the swim.
*Performance Pointer* Practice sighting during longer sets in the pool to help maintain a streamlined body position when swimming in open water.
Saturday Bike: 6 hr, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Run: 30’, pace work off the bike.
• Zn 2 (quick transition, <3’). Flat to rolling terrain.
Sunday Run: 90’, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Swim: 2000, strength.
• Include 12x100 (30”) pull with paddles. steady, even pace with a long stroke.

Week 6: Recovery Week

Monday Day off
Tuesday Bike: 60’, recovery and technique.
• Include 6–10 x 30” (1’) at 105–115 RPM, Zn 2. Flat terrain.
Wednesday Swim: 1500, recovery and technique.
• Include 20x50 alt 100 free, 100 drills. All smooth and easy.
Thursday Run: 45’, recovery.
• Zn 1-2. Flat terrain.
Friday Day off
Saturday Bike: 2.5 hr, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Sunday Run: 60’, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, HR Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Swim: 1500, strength.
• Include 10x100 (30”) pull with paddles. Steady, even pace with a long stroke.

Week 7 – Peak Week

Monday Day off
Tuesday Run: 90’, hills.
• Include 12x1.5’ hill (1.5’ jogging recovery) Zn 3 rise to Zn 4, on road or treadmill at 4–6% incline.
Wednesday Swim: 2500, threshold.
• Include 12x50 (20”) as 25 fast, 25 easy.
• 5x200 (30”) performed at your best average pace for the set.
Bike: 90’, recovery and technique.
• Include 5-8 x 2’ (1’) at 100–110 RPM, Zn 2. Flat terrain.
Thursday Bike: 90’, threshold.
• Include 5x1’ (1’) build hr from Zn 3 to 4. 4x5’ (5’) Zn 4. Flat terrain.
Run: 30’, pace work off the bike.
• Zn 2 (quick transition, <3’). Flat to rolling terrain.
Friday Swim: 2500, speed.
• Include 3x[3x50 as 25 fast/25 easy (20”), 50 easy (30”), 100 fast! (30”), 200 easy (1’)].
Saturday Bike: 2 hr, endurance.
• 15’ Zn 1, with the remaining time Zn 2 at 85–90+ RPM. Stay in your aerobars as much as possible.
Swim: 2000, strength.
• Include 2x400 (1’), 4x150 (35”) pull with paddles. steady, even pace with a long stroke.
Sunday Bike: 3.5 hr, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Run: 2 hr, run/walk off the bike.
• (Quick transition, <3’). Alt 9’ at GrP, 1’ brisk walk and refuel.
*Performance Pointer* Your peak long workout is an excellent time to test out your race-day apparel. Test for chafing and efficacy of gel pockets, zippers and comfort. Wear the helmet you are going to race in, and practice your nutrition and hydration.

Week 8

*Performance Pointer* After your peak week of training, take your bike in and get it checked before traveling to a race. Use the taper weeks to organize your equipment for the race.

Monday Day off
Tuesday Swim: 1500, recovery and technique.
• Include 10x100 alt 100 free, 100 drills. All smooth and easy.
Wednesday Bike: 75’, threshold maintenance.
• Include 5x1’ (1’) build hr from Zn 3 to 4.
• 4x3’ (2’) Zn 3 maximum. Flat terrain.
Thursday Run: 60’, hills.
• Include 5x2’ hill (2’ jogging recovery) Zn 3 maximum, on road or treadmill at 4–6% incline.
Friday Day off
Saturday Bike: 2.5 hr, endurance.
• Hilly terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Sunday Run: 60’, endurance.
• Flat terrain, Zn 1–3 (on uphills), mostly Zn 2.
Swim: 1500, strength.
• Include 5x200 (30”) pull with paddles. Steady, even pace with a long stroke.

Week 9

*Performance Pointer* Taper weeks should be looked at as part of training, and necessary for success. Don’t try to panic-train or prove fitness in any session. Use the rest to bank up energy and prepare for the best.

Monday Day off
Tuesday Swim: 1500, threshold maintenance.
• Include 4x50 (20”) as 25 fast, 25 easy.
• 6x100 (30”) performed at your best average pace for the set.
Wednesday Bike: 60’, threshold maintenance.
• Include 5x1’ (1’) build hr from Zn 3 to 4.
• 15’ Zn 3 maximum. Flat terrain.
Thursday Run: 30’, threshold maintenance.
• Include 4x30” (30”) build hr gradually to Zn 4.
• 6’ Zn 3 maximum. Flat terrain.
Friday Day off
Saturday Swim: 15’ on the race course.
• Practice sighting and exit.
Bike: 20’ to test gears.
• Include 5x1’ (1’) at 100-110 RPM, Zn 2.
Sunday RACE DAY

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