Tips for Race Season Planning

How to Plan Your Race Season (A, B & C Events)

Planning your season with A, B, and C events helps you peak at the right time, avoid burnout, and build confidence along the way.

1. Choose Your A Race (Your Main Goal)

Your A Race is the event you want to perform your absolute best in.
Training builds toward this race with a structured peak and taper.

Guidelines:

• Choose 1–2 A races per year

• Allow 8–12 weeks of focused build-up before tapering

• Schedule a proper recovery period after

• Examples: IRONMAN 140.6, key 70.3, major marathon

2. Add B Races (Key Tune-Up Events)

B Races help you practise pacing, nutrition, and race execution without disrupting your training.

Guidelines:

• Schedule 4–12 weeks before your A race

• Take only a light taper (a few easy days)

• Use them to rehearse strategy—not to peak

• Examples: Olympic before a 70.3, 70.3 before an IRONMAN, half marathon before a marathon

3. Include C Races (Practice & Fun)

C Races are low-pressure events used for experience or race-specific skills.

Guidelines:

• No taper—train through them

• Treat them as strong training days

• Use them for open water practice, transitions, or pacing tests

• Examples: Sprint tri, local 10K, time trial

Example Race Season Layout (Full Distance Triathlon Focus)

Balancing Race Effort & Recovery

Your race pacing affects how quickly you bounce back for training.

• Start steady to minimise soreness and speed up recovery

• Avoid going out too fast, which leads to more fatigue and slower recovery

• Even pacing = better performance and faster return to training

How Often Should You Race?

Beginners: Up to 4 races per season
Experienced athletes: Up to 7 races per season

Typical Recovery Times

• Sprint Triathlon: 1–2 weeks

• Olympic Triathlon: 2–4 weeks

• IRONMAN 70.3: 4–6 weeks

• IRONMAN 140.6: 6–12 weeks

Prioritise recovery so you can maintain consistency and peak for your A race.

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