I used a Training Plan from Coach Steve to finish my first 140.6 IRONMAN in Zurich Switzerland this year and it worked out perfectly. Despite some heavy GI issues during the swim and halfway through the bike split I was able to finish, also thanks to the prep I did following his plan. Easy written, structured, clever, and with less time effort but better results… would always come back. Thank you so much Steve!
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
Got an excellent (beginners) IM program off (Coach Steve) via Training Peaks: Easy to follow prescriptions for endurance, threshold, and higher intensity sessions across all three disciplines. It’s got comprehensive instructions for swim drills, stretching for before/after the bike, and how much (by duration) S+C work to thrown into the plan which is really useful as a novice.
The plan progressively banks up fitness and strength over the months – I can see my fitness improving gradually week on week and the built-in step-back weeks are helping stave off injury and fatigue. The plan has taken the guess-work out of my training so I’m getting consistently stronger and faster.
A GREAT investment and better value for $ than any of the tri gear/gadgets I’ve bought! Experience counts.
+++ Recommended
I purchased a plan on TrainingPeaks from Steve for my first Ironman race coming up later this year and so far am very impressed with its structure, variety, and detail.
Steve has also been very quick to respond to any queries or questions I have.
I will definitely be recommending him to friends looking for good quality, structured coaching
Smart Endurance Solutions Made me an Ironman 2018!!!
Didn’t have to think about a thing! Followed the plan and the rest follows! QED
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 just completed my first Ironman after buying your training program. I didn’t really hit most of the training on the days but hit what I could week to week. Had a few mechanical issues on the 140.6 so easily could have gone faster but with my minimal training I’m pretty happy with the results and still have lots of room to improve.
Thanks again!
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’m thrilled to start my Ironman journey with you. My training partner fell in love with your plan and will be buying one too