How do I setup my marathon running plan to include bike and swim sessions. Want to continue to improve my bike/swim as I focus on marathon this year. Plan to get back to 140.6 in 2026.
So I just select a 140.6 plan with the marathon race date as my A event
I would then pick an either mid-distance or long-distance triathlon plan. Just easier to schedule those bikes and swims.
You will have to go and delete some sessions with a heavy hand, and edit some of the aerobic runs longer as you get going. You can also use the Workout Wizard to change workouts from bikes or swims to runs.
Which bikes and swims to keep and which ones to delete, you ask?!
I would keep the key sessions of each sports:
Bike: Strength Endurance & VO2max and long aerobic rides every 2-3 weeks (when you are not running long). (you can pick up the IM specific work later when you get on IM training).
Swim: Strength Endurance sets & speed sets (you may switch the types you do around every few weeks to keep it interesting and fun for you - and don’t forget to do tech drills also)
There are many ways to do this, some other people may have other ideas.
Hope this helps. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
MJ
Hi @bmccartan ,
Personally I would set up your marathon run as your first A race and I might also consider jumping on the user-time constraints beta group (subscribers only). That would allow a focus on the running but you could add your bike and swim days and time availability so that you keep ticking over in those disciplines. Or just randomly swim and bike and Athletica will pick up the training load. Then, once your marathon is over, I would select and change your A race to your 140.6.
My 2c.
Best,
Paul
I have experience doing the Marathon plan and Ironman plan with Athletica - I found the Marathon plan run workouts quite different than the Ironman plan run workouts, and therefore when I was training for a marathon earlier this year, with some bike races planned after the marathon, I chose the marathon plan (vs. a duathlon or triathlon plan). Like you, I wanted to keep the bike and swim going, so I saved some of my favourite bike and swim workouts into my ’ workout library’. Then I sprinkled them in each week depending how I was feeling with the marathon load to keep the swim and bike ticking over, so that when my marathon was over I wasn’t starting from scratch. I found that as the training load increased with the marathon plan, I had to drop some of the swims and bikes to be able to fit all the runs in which was my focus…I personally liked doing it this way…
This is all fantastic advice. I really appreciate the quick and thoughtful responses. Some things I should have added. (Ie additional background)
I’m 57 and just retired, so I have a bunch of free time. Can only play so much golf
My last Ironman was in 2019. In my 40s I completed 9 of them. 8 lake Placid, 1 cor de lane. I want to get my tenth before I turn 60.
I have been staying fit, but not Ironman fit… more strength and bike.
just moved to Chicago and signed up for a 1/2 marathon in June and Chicago Marathon in Oct 2025, Actually have never done just a marathon. Thought it would be a good start for 2025 with the goal of an Ironman in2026…
This is the choice I share.
I have a Marathon Race A in February and IM Full September.
I interrupted the Triathlon Plan in favor of the Run one because it is more specific (LONG Ladder Run, Tempo effort…)
Selected HIGH Volume Run (despite not having the possibility of Podium Category and adequate KM…)
This will allow you to replace the Second Afternoon Race in an Aerobic Bike or Swim session (or max Strength Endurance) so as not to affect the RUN Training plan as much as possible.
Do you know if choosing Marathon Mid Volume and adding 4/6 hours of BIKE and 2/3 SWIM outings can reduce the volume of Running workouts? Can Fitness and Fatigue Bike and Swim limit future RUNNING workouts or not and therefore only the RUNNING load will influence future RUNNINGS? I would not like the KM of running to be reduced especially in the “LONG Ladder Run”