Race Planning: Thinking Ahead

Race Planning: Thinking Ahead

Before we launch into next year, it’s important to say that we are only in August and there is still lots of life left in this season! Lots to achieve and lots to enjoy. You don’t need to be in a rush to move on to next year, but enjoy where you are now.

Some of our athletes have finished their main events this year, achieved what they wanted to achieve, and are now enjoying some ‘soul-filling’ races and events – because they can. ‘No pressure events’, just using their hard-earned fitness to experience new things (gravel biking, ultra running, adventure races).

Next, there is no rush to get events booked or have firm plans in place for next year. Don’t feel under pressure to decide right now. You may not know what you want to do next year, you may want to see how the rest of this years plays out or you may even want to be flexible next year and enter events nearer to the time.

(Be careful on the last point. One of our athletes did this last year, and by the time he decided he wanted to enter a particular race – Ironman Wales – it had sold out!)

Races Entered!

However, I have had athletes come to me for coaching in the past month or so because they have already picked their events (and entered them in some cases) and want to start working towards them.

I also have athletes I’ve been working with for the 2024 season (and 2023 / 2022 / 2021 / 2020 / 2019) who have identified their races and have a plan in place on how they want their season to look.

(I’m still working with athletes who I started coaching in 2019. We’re preparing for our seventh season together!)

• “Let’s do this! Bolton 70.3 & UK Ultimate Full Distance three weeks later!”
• “Project Lanza 2025 is officially a go!!”
• “All in for next year then chief? Ironman Wales one last time!”
• “I’m thinking London Marathon, then Ironman Bolton 70.3. And maybe Outlaw Half. That would work wouldn’t it?”
• “I really want to have a go at a 70.3 next year, so once I’ve done the marathon in November can we switch the focus?”
• “I’m looking at potential races for next year. I have narrowed it down to Spain! After the middle distance race next month … work shall begin!”
• “I really want to think about the whole season really. Want to explore different events – but at the same time think the structure really worked for me this year. I could have two peaks – around May and August.” 

What Races Are Our Athletes Thinking About?

At this stage (we’re still in August!), the races are the big ones. The cornerstones of the season. The races that anchor the year, with other races coming later.

Ironman

• Ironman Lanzarote
• Ironman Wales
• Ironman Italy
• The Outlaw Full
• UK Ultimate Triathlon

Ironman 70.3 / Middle Distance

• Ironman Bolton 70.3
• Ironman Swansea 70.3
• Ironman Mallorca 70.3
• Ironman Marbella 70.3
• The Outlaw Half
• The Lakesman Half

Marathons

• London Marathon
• Paris Marathon

Swimming

• Coniston End To End

Other Stuff

• Mallorca 312 Ballot Entered!
• Fred Whitton Challenge

Some big, exciting races in there!

Season Planning

You have probably seen our other post on planning your season – some helpful guidance on what you should think about, what your season might look like and what sort of structure you want. If you haven’t, or you can’t quite remember it, have another look before you start booking those races!

You may remember another post of ours, where we look at some athletes who have multiple ‘A Races’ in the year, and how they might plan these seasons. If this is you, if you are thinking of more than one main race in the year, have a look at this post and see how some of our athletes approached this.

Support

If you need any help or support with planning your race season, or preparing and training for them, I would be happy to help. Get in touch and we can go on the journey and tackle next year together.

Race Planning: Thinking Ahead

• Mail
• Facebook
• Instagram