Frequently Asked Questions

 

Overview

  1. When will the program start and finish? Nov 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025

  2. What can I expect to learn and get out of the program?

  • You will receive structured training, periodized (or written in a way of gradually increasing the workout amounts/stress, balanced with appropriate recovery) and specific to you and your event!

  • Learn the resources within the community for the sport.

  • Learn the foundation of each individual sport.

  • Understand how to train by heart rate/power and how to train with your body.

  • Understand how to balance stress and recovery.

  • Learn the basics of nutrition within the sport of triathlon.

  • Understand how to utilize software to analyze your training and racing.

  • Have a group to support you in your journey!

Group Meetings

  1. When will the group monthly meetings be? We will have a reoccuring date each month, as of now all meetings will be on the first Monday night of each month at 7:30pm CST via Zoom.

  2. What if I need to miss a meeting? The presentation portion of all meetings will be posted in Slack within 1 hour of meeting.

  3. Is it required to go to all or any meetings? Definitely not.

  4. Are there group training sessions? No, all training, running, bike and swimming is done on your own. In the past, local athletes have used slack group txt to self organize training sessions groups.

  5. What will the monthly meetings be about each month? Below is the current topic that will kick off each month meeting. The topics can change based on the needs of the group. The second half of the meeting will be questions and topics of concern.

  • OCTOBER 8th: Program and TrainingPeaks overview FREE TO ALL, Come check out the program!

  • NOVEMBER 4th: Understanding Polarized training and integrating into your training

  • DECEMBER 2nd: Digging into Freestyle stroke and how to improve yours

  • JANUARY 6th: Nutrition, on and off the race course with tech to help you along the way.

  • FEBRUARY 3rd: Analyzing your workouts and plan for success

  • MARCH 3rd: Race plan. Let’s put yours together

  • APRIL 7th: Understanding recovery

  • MAY 5th: Transitions and Race day

  • JUNE 2nd: Race Prep and Psych!

Requirements

  1. Is a heart rate monitor and/or power necessary? YES on heart rate! You must have a heart rate monitor that has the ability to download to TP. Power is the athletes choice, but we strongly recommend power on your bike as all workouts will be written in power. IF you don’t have power, no worries though you can easily see the zones and utilize your hr monitor.

  2. What are the Ironman 70.3 benchmarks? And how does that work? All athletes competing in the Ironman 70.3 meet benchmarks along the way to make sure properly prepared for a safe race day. If you complete the training as written, you will reach the goals long before the benchmark times.

    SWIM: 1000m without stopping by February 1, successful OWS in the past or nonstop OWS by June 15. Bike 45 outside miles by June 1.

  3. I don’t live in the Fox Valley, can I still participate? Absolutely! You can also race at an event close to the same dates we are targeting.

  4. What level fitness do I need to start each of these programs? It is helpful to have some background one of more of the sports, but not necessary. Msg us with a little more about yourself as an athlete and we can give you feedback!

  5. Do I need a doctors note to participate? No… BUT, we sure do suggest it! Talking with your physician or a sports medicine doctor can give you so much information about you, how you can be safe, healthy and successful in the sport.

  6. What equipment do I need for the swim? You need a suit, goggles, cap, paddles, buoy and kick board (last three available at most pools) and a place to swim. Swim bands are incredibly useful add too.

  7. What equipment do I need for the bike? You will need a road or tri bike! Indoor stationary trainer that fits your bike for the winter, clip pedals, bike shoes, bike shoes and a helmet.

  8. What equipment do I need for the run? Running shoes with less than 300 miles.

  9. What other expenses should I plan on? Triathlon can become an expensive endeavor! While we listed everything we could think of that is necessary, there is no limit to what you can add on. In addition to what is listed above, race entry, possible hotel, tri kit.

LOGISTICS

  1. Do I have to do the race if I sign up for the training group? No! If you want a group to train with, learn with and be motivated with.. come join in! You can decide if you are going to race close to race day or just use the group as a recourse and maybe even come out and cheer with your teammates!

  2. Can I cancel at anytime? Absolutely! Please just toss us an email, and no further charges will be made to your account.

  3. When will I be billed? The first month payment will be taken at the time of sign up, then all recurring payments will be auto withdrawn on the first of the month beginning Nov 1.

  4. Can I change between levels of group training? Yes, please summit any changes before the 20th of the prior month.

  5. Can I get additional individualized training? While you can purchase additional coaching to individualize, the program is definitely not designed to have the need for addition coaching.

  6. Who will be leading the group? Christine Schirtzinger will be leading the group and meetings as well as writing the training plans.

 Training Plans and Communication

  1. When will the monthly training be visible in TrainingPeaks? The first Sunday night before the 1st of the Month.

  2. Do I need to pay for TrainingPeaks Premium or Slack? Slack is free and a free TrainingPeaks account is perfect. You can opt for TrainingPeaks Premium but it is definitely not necessary.

Coaching Philosophy

  1. What coaching philosophies will be followed? All coaching will follow a polarized training model integrating the work of Phil Maffetone, Stephen Seiler and Inigo San Millan into your training. We believe in finding balance between volume, intensity.. training and recovery thought the use of objective data, dialing in your proper zones.

  2. Will most of the training be Zone 2 training? Yes, it will. We also work on understanding data, skills within each sport and giving you the ability to be your best coach for years to come.




Silly Questions

  1. Is race my race entry included in my training group? No, Ironman 70.3 Rockford race entry is NOT included in your training and we are NOT affiliated with Ironman or WTC.