Outlaw Journey - Training Week 1

So a Half-Ironman Training Plan. - Sounds pretty innocuous doesn't it?

Dependant upon your psyche, the very notion of a plan will either tick all of your OCD-esque boxes or stir up that inner rebel in you as you can get by without it.

For me, having never done a half-ironman I knew I needed some guidance to follow that would help in my preparation, over and above simply swimming endless lengths, plus riding/running around the proverbial block for 6 months.

Triathlon is absolutely about 3 disciplines (clue is in the name), and so at its most simplest I do have to swim, bike and run to achieve the goal, but importantly I need to be able to do all 3, one after the other and so for me training is an opportunity to address the individual disciplines and also components of those disciplines to the point that I can string the 3 disciplines together come race day and finish (well).

The plan is a plan, not a gun to my head. It's a guide, that will ramp up over the weeks increasing endurance, developing technique and simulating competing conditions - there will be hard sessions and easier sessions, there is even rest timetabled as everyone needs to incorporate recovery for their bodies no matter your perception of your own fitness.
Importantly I am NOT a professional and I have a life which means, I have to cut myself some slack over the next 6 months that in the middle of a crazy schedule or when illness strikes etc I may have to rein in the regime?

The plan is split into 3 sections - Base, Build & Peak/Taper, each of 8 weeks duration.

The Base phase serves to set a structure and foundation for the remainder of the plan & favours 2 sessions each of Swim, Bike, Run as well as Strength/Conditioning.
The focus being predominantly on duration of activity, or intervals and form rather than purely mileage

So how did I do on week 1?:
Swim 0 metres
Bike 135.1km
Run 27.7km

Clearly I didn't get any swimming in, but did complete the remaining 6 sessions as prescribed, including an 'extra' bike & run combo. (And the rest day!)

A certain amount of procrastination (swimming being my least favourite/confident discipline) plus logistics contributed to the lack of swimming.
Both the running and biking were good and very manageable within my schedule, so focusing on the positives week 1 was 75% completed.
Will be having a word with myself for next week regarding the swimming!

Onwards and upwards into week 2...