I’m entering week 20 of your ADVANCED IRONMAN 32 week (50yrs+, HR-based) program. Really enjoying the plan so far, making great progress, and—knock on wood—remain injury-free.
Grabbed a nice age group win in my first tri of the season yesterday – helped of course by your training plan! 🙂
I used Smartendurancesolutions for my 1st full Ironman this year, I can’t recommend Smartendurancesolutions enough, Steven took me from very low levels of fitness to completing an Ironman in a time I had only dreamed of. There is great feedback on all sessions. It is easy to see all sessions have a purpose and tie into the overall plan. Heart-rate controlled sessions, which make it all easier on race day to stay on target in zone and in control. The added advantage of having a coach who is very experienced and accomplished long distance racer, is great for bringing a calming effect, for those times of pre-race panic
The 32-week plan (which I followed to a tee, minus a few swims) was truly phenomenal and was instrumental in helping me reach my goal of a sub-12hr (albeit “unofficial”) Ironman finish… (My friend and I mapped out the Ironman course and did it, along with a few other diehards, on the exact date the race would have taken place). The official entry was rolled into 2021 so I’m gearing up for what I hope will be another PR.
Just finishing up one of your excellent Ironman base training plans – FTP up by 10% from start, completed the run test 20 secs faster per km than when I started – feeling strong!!! Thank you Coach Steve …. so now lets talk full plans!!! 😉
Coach Steve’s training package helped me to perform better than I ever thought possible in the 2017 West Australian 70.3 ironman. I went from being a middle of the pack finisher to finishing in the top 20% in my age group by following his intermediate 12 week plan on Training Peaks. I actually enjoyed the whole training period and went into the event feeling confident and strong. The plan was easy to follow with full detailed sets and is incredible value for money. The swim sets are particularly great with enough variety to keep it interesting. I’ve come back for another training program this year and Steve has been awesome answering my emails, almost in real time conversation. Highly recommended!
I emailed Steve prior to purchasing the training plan and he responded quickly with really sensible advice based on my triathlon history and current training volume. Of course being an 45 going on 12 year old age grouper I ignored all sensible advice an purchased the only plan that gives me any remote, long shot of getting to Kona….I’ve just finished my first month of the base phase and despite pushing through a couple of those weird one-day training head-colds due to the increased volume, I’ve loved every minute so far.
Having read and enjoyed Friel’s Training Bible I was still left with just a big empty spreadsheet and too many decisions to make for myself. I’m a normal bloke for god’s sake, tell me what to do or I’ll just sit and watch the Discovery Channel!
Steve’s plan takes away all the science, mathematics and preparation that a triathlete with a full-time job just doesn’t have time for. Once the testing phase is done, each session is is concisely described, training zones set and drills presented via video links etc. where appropriate. For bike sessions I don’t need to know any more than I have a bike session today, once I fire up Zwift, some black-magic means Steve’s session is already there in front of me and ERG means I’m training at exactly the prescribed power throughout, brilliant!
Moving sessions around the plan to fit in with other work commitments is easy and intuitive and for some reason I’m actually motivated to stretch for the first time in 25 years because it’s on the plan. Well I say stretch, think Uma Thurman in Kill Bill trying to wiggle her big toe, but hey, I’m trying.
In all seriousness, having debated throwing a few quid at a properly structured, proven plan for the price of a decent pair of runners, I now couldn’t recommend highly enough. Absolutely fantastic value for money
I just finished my Half Ironman—Gulf Coast 70.3 and I felt amazing! Thanks for all your help along the way. I got carried away and crushed the bike so my run suffered but I in the end I'm so pleased that I finished HAPPY AND HEALTHY!
I just wanted to let you know (I’m sorry it’s 7 weeks post-Ironman) that I finished!!! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you answering my questions and for the training program that leads me to success and making me an Ironman!
Loving the plan, started the 32 week beginner 70.3 plan in early Jan with A race coinciding with Cork in August. Been following it to the letter and while I’d be a strong swimmer and cyclist, I’m seeing massive gains in my run having gone from a 1:45 half marathon to running an 18km training run comfortably in z2 at 4:50 average (including 2km warm up and cool down), at the tail end of a 3 week base block! If you’d told me that 6 months ago I’d have laughed at you
Really enjoyed your half marathon plan so I’ve bought your 20-week full marathon plan for Dublin – going to be great!
Returning to triathlon after a 20 year gap, I found Smart Endurance Solutions & Coach Steve Moody on Training Peaks. Three months on, I can say what a very positive difference it has made.
The precious time and energy I am spending in training is more efficiently used and i've been particularly taken with Coach Steve's "PB Hit Squad" – a hybrid coaching/support group where I'm learning new skills, swapping stories with other triathletes and asking specific questions about my plan.
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