A toolkit to support self coached athletes
Use this guide to save yourself, time, energy and money
This guide is meant to give you an idea of the tools and resources I recommend age-group triathletes use to help you improve in various areas of your triathlon, including training, planning, learning, nutrition and recovery. The list is not meant to be exhaustive but all of the items featured I have either used or recommended to others for their own personal benefit. I have left out equipment such as HR monitors, power meters, carbon shoes etc because I feel there is plenty of choice around those tools and can be research easily enough.
1. Training Peaks - Planning & Analysing Training
This is my number one go to app for planning training, monitoring stress and evaluating performance.
Why?
Plan, monitor and analyse training in one place
Connects to various devices to catch your training
Visual presentation of different aspects of training
Real time feedback on performance
Who is it for?
Perfect for self coached athletes with some training experience
Athletes who are following a plan and need to host it
Ok for new athletes with endurance training knowledge
Coaches or athletes attached to coaches
Link - Training Peaks
2. Strava - Monitoring Performance & Social
I use Strava in combination with Training Peaks. It offers a similar service but with more of a social aspect than performance and data driven. Being able to compare against activities on a similar course is perfect for measuring performance.
Why?
Good data points for measuring performance
Social interactions with other athletes
Create running and riding routes in new areas
Compare against previous efforts easily
Easy to use as a training log
Who is it for?
People of all ability levels across most sports
Athletes who want to track some data but not be overwhelmed by it’s offering
Link: Strava
3. HRV4TRAINING (App) - Monitoring Stress & Recovery
A simple but effective app that allows you to learn how your body is responding and adapting to training and lifestyle stressors. Most people know when they are tired or when they feel fresh, however, this app detects trends in training and can allow coaches and athletes to plan accordingly. I find it really useful post racing when or pre illness.
Why?
Helps to support the planning of training and recovery
Can detect illness (in my experience) before it arrives
Informs me of how well I am recovered after hard sessions and racing
Useful for planning heavy training loads
Who is it for?
Athletes of all ability levels could gain something from this app however, I think it would appeal more to intermediate to advanced level
Coaches who are wanting more data than just “how did you feel out of 10” which I know is also important but may not always tell the full story
Link: HRV4TRAINING
4. MyFitnessPal - Tracking Nutrition
Widely used across various sports and a popular app amongst people who are aiming to improve their eating habits. I use this app when I am around 12 weeks out from a race to keep me accountable and to make sure that I am matching quality training with quality nutrients.
Why?
Simple way of tracking calories, macro and mirco nutrients
Keeps the user accountable towards their goal
Effective way of understanding energy balance against activities
Who is it for?
Recreational through to elite athletes and coaches with specific goals
Link: MyFitnessPal
5. Excel Spreadsheet - Basic Planning & Monitoring
Before using TrainingPeaks, I would plan my training using one of the most basic formats, Microsoft Excel. It allowed me to create an annual training programme and adapt on the fly without the endless need for scrolling or using different platforms.
This spreadsheet helped me down the red carpet at Ironman UK in 2018 and was a really useful tool in my journey towards becoming an Ironman for the very first time. I have produced the spreadsheet so that it can be amended by the user and taken off the shelf for free.
Why?
No fuss training planning, monitoring and logging tool
Simple to use and can be printed off so that you can have a larger visual
Free and will save you time
Who?
Beginner athlete who wants to map out their journey for the season ahead
Feel free to download and use from here: Annual Planner
Annual Planning and Monitoring Excel
6. Triathlon Pace Chart - Easy guide for targeting times
Like the spreadsheet above, I use the resources below for quick reference for when planning race target times and use them to benchmark where I need to be against where I am currently at in my training.
7. Learning the basics of endurance training and how to plan, monitor, evaluate and execute
These books below have helped shape my endurance journey so far. They have gave me knowledge and perspective on everything from training, racing, nutrition and recovery.
I would recommend these books to any self coached athletes as a starting point in developing their own training philosophy. They are in no particular order but every book offers the reader something to improve their knowledge and apply it to training.
8. Podcasts - A great tool for improving your knowledge during the commute
These are a selection of my go to podcasts for when I am commuting or travelling for work. They are great and cover everything from training to nutrition, injury to recovery. It is free education on the move.
Some thoughts from people that I respect on Twitter
If you have enjoyed reading this list and would like to explore the option of Running or Triathlon Coaching then please hit the button below and drop us DM at Prime Triathlon Coaching.
Podcast List