I’m 11 weeks into my 46 weeks Beginner Ironman plan. This is my first try at training for a triathlon. What I liked even before purchasing this plan is that I could write an email for coach Steve and get answers for all my concerns. At the time I was in ~4h marathon shape, had some past experience in cycling, and almost no experience in swimming, so we decided that a Beginner plan will suit me the best. At first, it felt that running volume is really low and I’m detraining in my strongest triathlon discipline but in few weeks when cycling volume ramped up those thoughts disappeared. Actually, having less running and more cycling keeps me away from running injuries and I’m faster now than I ever was. I’m probably not in marathon shape anymore but there are 35 weeks of the plan left with plenty of 20+km long runs. Another thing that I liked is tests for HR zones for cycling and running. Finally! Finally, I’m training in zones that i feel are right. In the past, I’ve recalculated my zones using different approaches at least 5 times and they always felt off. Now I feel that I’m really training in the zone that workout prescribes. Swimming. I can’t really talk about that because I’ve only swum for the first few weeks of the plan then due to quarantine all pools were closed, I’ve switched to strength and mobility workouts instead. Last thing. Coach Steve quickly answers all my questions, e.g. what to do when the pool closes, what is the best approach to brick workout, and so on. Overall I feel confident that following this plan I will be an Ironman finisher.

Training with Coach Steve is fantastic. He gives clear information and cuts through the jargon (vital for a first timer like myself). He’s very responsive, supportive and genuinely interested in how to help achieve goals and make progress!

I’m excited to report with the help of Coach Steve’s 70.3 14 week, Intermediate level HR based training plan, I was able to finish my 70.3 race debut in 5:29 which was 30 MINUTES faster than my goal! I am thrilled with my results and can’t thank Coach Steve enough for his advice and wonderful (and very affordable) training plans! Can’t wait for the next race!

I can’t say enough about Coach Steve and his training plans!
I’m only 5 weeks in to my 32 week beginner Ironman training plan and
have already seen huge improvements in my fitness…especially my
running! At the start, 4 km seemed like a hurdle but now I’m easily
running 7-12 km 3+ times a week. It took me months to reach those kind
of distances when I was training for a half several years back.

On top of the great plans, Coach Steve has been incredibly accessible
and has helped to move around my workouts to work with my crazy
schedule and my fitness level…it’s been super helpful knowing that
there’s someone there to help and build a bit flexibility into the
program, rather than just skipping workouts all together.

I’m really just getting started and already have a ton of confidence
in my ability to make it across the finish line. I would highly
recommend SMart Endurance Solutions and Coach Steve

Hey Steve,

Just wanted to say a huge thanks for the IM course and question-answering service!

I started one of your 10 month IM training programmes back in October shortly after doing my first marathon. Today I ran the Inverness half marathon as my first B race and smashed my PB @ half marathon by 7.5mins at 1:46:28…felt like I still had some in the legs at the end. I ran the same course last march in 2:08 before I started all the training

Thank you for all your Support. I’m training for Ironman #7. First time that I use a online Coach. Now I wish I had started or found Steve = smartendurancesolution earlier. He is really smart, helpful and structured.

Since we teamed up your coaching and advice has made a major difference & improvement to my training. Your analysis has highlighted instances where I was overtraining, brought a focus and rationale to training in the correct HR zones which has developed my endurance. Your coaching has also introduced proper periodization to my training. Crucially having you coaching me has taken away the usual second guessing that goes with setting one’s own training schedule. On the journey I have found that you listened well to my particular circumstances and been flexible and adaptive to suit my busy worklife. TrainingPeaks played a key role here also allowing me to lay out my work commitments in advance and you could tailor the training load and schedule to fit.

So thank you very much for the 2016 season and I look forward to working together again in 2017

I bought your Olympic program and completed my Olympic yesterday, in a PB of minus 14 mins, I felt great and was delighted.

I used your plan for Cork last year and was so happy with it.
I sent your plan on to two friends in Tralee so they signed up also

I had the pleasure of racing Barcelona Ironman with Steven in 2019. I knew him through friends but he went above and beyond to make me feel welcomed as part of his training group.He gave a lot of very valuable advice in the build. I smashed my PB by 1hr and 30mins doing a sub10hr ironman, 9hrs 30mins to be exact which qualified me for a PROFESSION TRIATHLETE LICENCE!!! After Barcelona, I signed up to his coaching with the intention to race at Ironman South Africa and through a top 6 finish there qualifying for Kona, Hawaii the Ironman World Championships, the Holy Grail of Ironman. Over the 3 months leading up to the race, Steven had me in amazing shape. I never felt so prepared and ready to race. I was sure I would qualify based on my training numbers and the confidence he had given me. I continue to train with Steven waiting in the long grass for the next opportunity for Kona qualification. For anyone looking for a Triathlon coach long or short course Steven is your man, I can’t recommend him enough. He can be funny too at times but most of all I just enjoy beating him 🙂

Steven has been coaching me this year and I’ve had a great season – completing the NS for the first time in 4 years, injury free. My performance has improved and he has delivered a quality personalised training and recovery program that allows me to maintain a healthy work, life AND training balance.Looking forward to working with Steven again next year.

I’ve bought/used yr plan for a 70.3 distance last year and really liked it!
Now would love one for this shorter distance