I’m writing this review as a 3-day old IRONMAN. And I did it with the help of a “46 weeks Beginner Ironman plan”. Before starting the plan I had done sub 4h marathon but I had zero racing or even training experience in swimming and biking. When I was choosing my plan I wrote for several online couches with my questions and I liked Steve’s answers the most. I didn’t regret choosing his plan a single time. Steve answered all the questions that I had during the training, he also adjusted the plan to fit my race day(my race was almost a month earlier than I have planned). The training plan wasn’t easy but what else can you expect when training for Ironman? Be prepared that weekends will be tough but they will make YOU tough as well. I was confident before the race that I will finish it. Thank you, Steve, for making my dream come true!

Delighted with my recent half-marathon result considering the lead-in and the lack of speed sessions

I really enjoyed the structure and I’ve already bought one of your 20-week plans for the Dublin marathon so that starts mid-June

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

Thanks Steve, what and awesome day!! Never would have got to the start let alone crossed the line as an Ironman. Hope your day was good 👍 looks like all the guys smashed it 💪

Thank you so much for all your support and advice while I have been training. The fact you replied so quickly to all my emails with great advice was a huge factor in me successfully completing my first Ironman. I could definitely have done better on my run but I was delighted with my time and really just the fact I finished! The fact I feel great this week and am only in pain due to losing 2 toe nails shows how well my training worked

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

In the past 2 weeks I have set PBs for Watts for 30 and 60 min on the bike, I did my fastest ever 30km on the bike last night (beating my old time by a few minutes, even after running 10km in the stinking hot morning), and I actually feel like a somewhat competent swimmer these days! So overall, I am really happy with the workouts and program in general so THANK YOU!

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 🙂

Coach Steve has been coaching me this year, he has delivered a quality personalised training and recovery program that allows me to maintain a healthy work, life AND training balance. Steven is by far the most attentive coach I know. Feedback on sessions can be almost instant, there are times when there are comments coming in via TrainingPeaks or WhatsApp before I have realised a session has been uploaded. Most of all Steven’s enthusiasm and love for the sport comes through to his athletes, this makes all of the hardship fun.

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

Used and loved Coach Steve’s 70.3 plan – as not only got me fit and strong but got me that elusive PB … not bad for a guy nearly hitting 50! Age is just a number! Thanks CS

After a few false starts with race postponements and cancellations due to Covid I really felt the benefit of sticking to Coach Steve’s 70.3 plan as I felt strong and well prepared going into the race. It is a very easy to navigate, varied plan so I didn’t get bored. I could see the progress as I was moving through the base and build phases which also helped with injury prevention. I would highly recommend this and other plans as Steve was available to answer any queries.