Tom Holland's 15 Week Training Plan for Juju
Tom Holland creates a triathlon training plan for Juju.
June 2, 2010 -- Below is Tom Holland's 15-week sprint triathlon training plan for Juju and other triathlon trainers.
Base: 4 Weeks (Weeks beginning 5/31-6/21)
Build: 4 Weeks (Weeks beginning 6/28-7/19)
Peak: 4 Weeks (Weeks beginning7/26-8/16)
Taper: 3 Weeks (Weeks beginning 8/23-9/6)
Base: 4 Weeks
5/31 - Week 15
Base Week 1
Monday: Rest
This day is just as important as actual training days. You get stronger on your days off, when your body rebuilds itself, not during the training itself. Enjoy this day off -- you will appreciate it more and more as the race gets closer!
Tuesday: Strength and Run
Run: 10 minute easy.
It may seem short, but we want to ensure we remain injury-free. The runs will increase in length as we progress. Do short walk breaks whenever necessary. The goal is to keep moving for 10 minutes straight. Stay aerobic -- you should be able to carry on a conversation throughout the run. You can do this outside or on a treadmill.
Strength: Base strength plan (see below)
Base Strength Plan:
This is where we begin to build our base, both our strength base and our cardiovascular base. We stick to the basics here. For strength, I want a 20-40 minute full body routine. Do 1-2 sets of 12 repetitions unless otherwise specified. Maintain good form throughout and choose weights that are challenging for the last few reps.
1-2 sets of 12 repetitions unless otherwise noted
Machine chest press
Lat pull down
Machine shoulder presses
Dumbbell bicep curls
Dumbbell tricep kickbacks
Leg extensions
Leg press
Leg curl
Plank: 2 sets of 30-60 seconds each
Crunches: 2 sets of 20 reps
Wednesday: Rest
You may be sore after yesterday. Allow the body to recover. You can stretch for a few minutes throughout the day if you want. Enjoy the day off. [This can also be a day to make up tuesday's workout if you miss it.]
Thursday: Weights and Swim
Weights:
The same weights program as on tuesday. Don't skip or skimp on the weight workouts. They are essential to keeping you injury-free.
Swim:
5-10 minutes.
Your first swim! The goal is to get in the pool and begin to get acclimated to the whole swim workout. You don't have to swim for 10 minutes straight. Swim, rest for 30-60 seconds, then swim again. Use swim aids if available: the kickboard, pull buoy, fins, etc. Start getting used to your goggles, swimsuit, and swimming!
Friday: Your Choice: swim 5-10 minutes, bike 20 minutes or run 10 minutes.
Friday is your chance to either choose a workout you feel like doing that day, or select one that is your weakest discipline and work on it. Swim is 5-10 minutes and run workouts are 10 minutes in length. Both are simple endurance sessions. Nothing fancy. If you choose to bike, it too should be a simple aerobic ride. You can do it indoors or out. Remember that we are just starting to build our base. Go easy and just workout for the prescribed time at a comfortable intensity.
Saturday: Bike:
30 minute bike session. Bike comfortably for 30 minutes straight. This can be done outside or inside on a stationary bike. Wear comfortable clothes. Aerobic zone. No heavy breathing yet.
Sunday: Run:
10 minute easy run. Do walk breaks whenever necessary. Outside or on a treadmill. Stay aerobic.
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
6/7 - Week 14
Base Week 2
Same as base week #1.
As we are building our base, there will be no change from weeks #1-weeks #3. Repeat the week exactly. Resist the temptation to do more. The vast majority of injuries come from doing too much, too soon.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run
Strength: base strength plan
Run: 10 minutes easy
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Weights and Swim
Strength: base strength planSwim: 5-10 minutes easy
Friday: Your Choice: swim 5-10 minutes, bike 20 minutes or run 10 minutes.
Saturday: Bike:
30 minute bike
Sunday: Run:
10 minutes easy
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
6/14 - Week 13
Base Week 3
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run:
Strength: base strength plan
Run: 10 minutes easy
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Weights and Swim:
Strength: base strength plan
Swim: 5-10 minutes easy
Friday: Your Choice: swim 5-10 minutes, bike 20 minutes or run 10 minutes.
Saturday: Bike:
30 minute bike
Sunday: Run:
10 minutes easy
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
6/21 - Week 12
Base Week 4
Recovery Week
This is our first "recovery week." This means we will actually do slightly less this week, allowing our body to "absorb" the first three weeks of training. For us this means no workout on Friday and a shorter bike on Saturday. We get stronger when we rest, not actually during our workouts. This "down" week not only allows our bodies to rebuild and recover from the prior week's training, it also prepares us for the increased training to come. This cycling of training volume and intensity is known as "periodization." Those who don't take recovery weeks get injured, burned out, and have decreased performances on race day.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run:
Strength: base strength plan
Run: 10 minutes easy
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Weights and Swim
Strength: base strength plan
Swim: 5-10 minutes easy
Friday: Rest
No workouts!
Saturday: Bike:
20 minute bike
Sunday: Run:
10 minutes easy
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
Build: 4 Weeks
6/28 - Week 11Build Week 1
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run:
Strength: Build Strength Plan (see below)
Run: 15 minutes easy. Five minutes more than the previous weeks. Take walk breaks if necessary.
Build Strength Workout:
1-2 sets of 12 repetitions unless otherwise noted
Dumbbell chest press
Dumbbell rows
Dumbbell overhead shoulder presses
Bodybar bicep curls
Tricep bench dips
Walking lunges
Squats
Wall sit – 60 seconds
Seal back extensions
Oblique crunches: 2 sets of 20 reps
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: build strength plan
Swim: 10 minutes easy
Friday: You Choose: Swim 10 minutes or Bike 25 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 30 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Our first brick! "brick stands for "bike to run." This means you will ride the bike and then run immediately afterwards. This will get your body prepared for the transition from biking to running on race day. Enjoy the weird feeling!
Sunday: Run:
15 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
7/5 - Week 10Build Week 2
Same as build week #1
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run:
Strength: build strength plan
Run: 15 minutes easy. Five minutes more than the previous weeks. Take walk breaks if necessary.
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: build strength plan
Swim: 10 minutes easy
Friday: You Choose: Swim 10 minutes or Bike 25 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 30 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
15 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
7/12 - Week 9
Build Week 3
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run
Strength: build strength plan
Run: 15 minutes easy.
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: build strength plan
Swim: 10 minutes easy
Friday: You Choose: Swim 10 minutes or Bike 25 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 30 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
15 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
7/19 - Week 8
Build Week 4
Recovery Week
Our second "recovery week." Again, slightly less this training this week, allowing our bodies to recover and get ready for the final peak weeks of training!
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run
Strength: build strength plan
Run: 15 minutes easy
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: build strength plan
Swim: 10 minutes easy
Friday: Rest
Saturday: bike:
Bike 30 minutes easy
Sunday: run:
10 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
Peak: 4 Weeks
7/26 - Week 7Peak Week 1
This is our "peak" block of training. The prior 8 weeks have been preparing us for these 4 weeks. We have 4 tough weeks instead of 3, building with each one, then we "taper" or do a little less for our final 3 week. Survive these three and you will be ready for the race!
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run:
Strength: peak strength plan (see below)
Run: 20 minutes easy
Peak Strength Workout:
1-2 sets of 12 repetitions unless otherwise noted
Pushups – 2 sets to failure
Dumbbell rear delt flys
Squats with front raises
Stationary lunges with overhead dumbbell presses
Walking lunges with dumbbell bicep curls
Step ups
Bicycle crunches – 60 seconds
Swim back extensions
Side plank – 20 seconds each side
Reverse crunch – 2 sets of 15 reps
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Weights and Swim
Strength: peak strength plan
Swim: 10-15 minutes easy
Friday: do either one or both: swim 10-15 minutes or bike 30 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 35 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
25 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
8/2 - Week 6
Peak Week 2
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run:
Strength: peak strength plan
Run: 20 minutes easy
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: peak strength plan
Swim: 10-15 minutes easy
Friday: do either one or both: swim 10-15 minutes or bike 30 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 35 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
25 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
8/9 - Week 5
Peak Week 3
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run
Strength: peak strength plan
Run: 25 minutes easy
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: peak strength plan
Swim: 10-15 minutes easy
Friday: do either one or both: swim 10-15 minutes or bike 30 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 40 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
30 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
8/16 - Week 4
Peak Week 4
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run
Strength: peak strength plan
Run: 25 minutes easy
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: peak strength plan
Swim: 10-15 minutes easy
Friday: do either one or both: swim 10-15 minutes or bike 30 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 45 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
30 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
Taper: 3 Weeks
8/23 - #eek 3
Taper Week 3
You have made it! The hard work is over. Congrats! Now we will do a little less each week. Yes, once again, this is now to "absorb" all of the training we have done up to this point. It is also so you will go into the race nice and rested. Fight the urge to do more. You cannot "cram" in training!
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run:
Strength: taper strength plan (see below)
Run: 20 minutes easy
Taper strength workout:
1-2 sets of 12 repetitions unless otherwise noted
Pushups on bosu or stability ball – 2 sets of 10-15 reps
Dumbbell alternating front and side raises
Squats with bicep curls
Stationary lunges with dumbbells
Walking lunges with dumbbell overhead presses
Step ups with dumbbells
Stability ball crunches
Triple plank – 15 seconds each way
Wall sit with dumbbells – 60 seconds
Medicine ball twists
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: taper strength plan
Swim: 10 minutes easy
Friday: you choose: swim 10 minutes or bike 30 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 30 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
25 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
8/30 - Week 2
Taper Week 2
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength and Run
Strength: taper strength plan
Run: 15 minutes easy.
Wednesday: Rest or Make Up Tuesday's Workout
Thursday: Strength and Swim
Strength: taper strength plan
Swim: 10 minutes easy
Friday: you choose: swim 10 minutes or bike 30 minutes.
Saturday: "Brick":
Bike 25 minutes then run 10 minutes.
Sunday: Run:
20 minute easy run
Stretching Plan: CLICK HERE for the stretching plan.
9/6- Week 1
Taper Week 1
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Run
No weights! Just run 15 minutes easy.
Wednesday: Swim:
10 minutes easy
Thursday: Rest!!
Friday: short "Brick":
Bike 10 minutes then run 5 minutes.
Saturday: Race!
Sunday: Celebrate!
"The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Undertaking a training program may involve risk of injury or physical harm, and it is your responsibility to determine which training activities are appropriate for you. Please check with your doctor."