Tri Training Bible or Your Best Tri?

I received this question by email today. I've been asked this a lot in the past week since my latest book came out. So rather than answering it frequently by email I will now just direct people to this post.

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Hi Joe,

I was just looking to buy your book “The Triathlete’s Training Bible,” and I notice you just published a new book “Your Best Triathlon.”  Is the new book an updated version of the old?  If I was just going to buy one for now, which is my best bet.

Thanks,

Dan

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Dan,

I’ll briefly tell you about the books but it has to be your call on which one is best given your interests and background. They are significantly different although some of the same concepts are discussed. The Triathlete’s Training Bible is for those who want to understand the how’s and why’s of training and also want to be their own coaches. It gets into the science of race preparation with a few examples of how some athletes train. But it leaves you to design your own training. Your Best Triathlon is for those experienced athletes who want detailed guidance on how to train with a generic plan (based on your goal-race distance). It’s much as if I was coaching you. I offer comments and solutions for common issues triathletes I’ve coached have experienced at various times in their seasons. If you’re not an experienced triathlete then you may be better off with my other tri book, Your First Triathlon. Good luck with your training and racing this coming season!

Best,

Joe

Comments

[Christopher]

Joe, do you have any plans for a similar with “Your Best Triathlon” book, oriented to cyclists?

[Joe Friel]

Christopher--I don't have such a book for cyclists (yet). But I do have plans for road riders. Go to the following website and scroll to bottom for list... http://home.trainingpeaks.com/training-and-nutrition-plans/featured-authors/joe-friel.aspx?l=3599

[triathlon training]

Your Best Triathlon is for those experienced athletes who want detailed guidance on how to train with a generic plan (based on your goal-race distance). It’s much as if I was coaching you.

Thanks
Cathrin

[iFreedom]

I've been reading through Your Best Triathlon and noticed that the weekly schedules would be identical in the period. Does this seem right? Or would one work out work on one speed skill and the next week on that same day would be a different skill? I just don't see the variety from week to week within a certain period. Are there some examples of training weeks in a certain period like say base 3 or something?

[Joe Friel]

iFreedom--You should work on the speed skills that are your limiters. For example, if pedaling skills (perhaps not engaging the pedal early enough in the downstroke) is a limiter then you need to do drills that improve this (e.g., isolated leg training). Everyone is unique so the book can't suggest what is necessarily best for you to work on.

[Ifreedom]

Thanks Joe. I have both training bible and best triathlon. Best Triathlon you prescribe one type of Fo WO for each swim bike run and bible has more. Do you advise to pick WO's from either book? Best triathlon talks about 6 strides / revolutions for Force where bible prescribes different types all together. I think the MEs are different as well.

[Ifreedom]

BTW Joe, I've been following your book and worked on strides focus on mid foot and my Z2 run speed has increased by 40sec/km and swim has increased by 20"/100m which is phenomanal improvement! I hope to crush July's HIM!

[Joe Friel]

IFreedom--Your Best Tri is the more recent and up to date. Follow it. Good luck!

[iFreedom]

I just read base 3 and training for HIM. ME wos in base 3 are described as 5' hills with a total duration of 10-30mins. but the wo at the end of the chapter shows ME (or ME+Fo) for up to 2hrs on the bike and 1hr on the run. What do I do for the remaining time if the drills is only 10-30m? Z2? more Z3 drills like base 2? Also, what is the difference between ME and a ME+Fo wo in Base 3? Thanks in advance!

[Joe Friel]

iFreedom - Warm-up, cool down, skills drills, enjoyment of the view and life itself. ME+Fo is a combination of an ME workout followed by a Force workout within the same session (or the other way around.)