6 Months Out: From Base Miles to Purposeful Progress
Six months out.
It’s that sweet spot in the season when the buzz of anticipation meets the grind of real progress. The base is built—or should be—and now it’s about shifting gears. Less about just logging miles, more about training with intent.
Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete or coming back after a break, this is the time when things start getting real. You can almost see the finish line in the distance—not close enough to sprint, but close enough to matter.
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Where I Am (and Maybe You Are Too)
At this point, I’ve moved from just getting the sessions in, to making them count. My swim drills have more focus, my bike sessions are less about distance and more about wattage, and my run isn’t just a jog—it’s got purpose.
This month is about refining form, increasing intensity (gradually), and really starting to feel like a triathlete again.
The Swim: Efficiency is Everything
Let’s face it—no one wins the race in the swim, but you can definitely lose time there.
What I’m focusing on:
- Pacing over distance – not just going hard, but sustaining.
- Breathing rhythm – practicing bilateral breathing to stay calm and controlled.
- Open water prep – sighting drills in the pool, and (if weather allows) open-water swims on weekends.
The Bike: Building Power and Endurance
This month, the turbo trainer is my best friend. If you’re not already doing structured intervals—now’s the time.
Key sessions I’m working in:
- Sweet spot intervals (88-94% FTP) to build strength without overloading.
- Long weekend rides to build endurance and test nutrition.
- Practicing gear and cadence changes on varying terrain.
And yes, if you haven’t yet started brick sessions, add them in (more on that below).
The Run: Light, Fast, Efficient
There’s a temptation to go long on every run. I’ve found it’s smarter to be strategic:
- One long run per week (conversational pace)
- One tempo or progression run to get used to race effort
- One easy off-the-bike run after cycling to simulate race fatigue
The Brick Sessions: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
If there’s one session that always humbles me—it’s the brick.
Back-to-back bike/run sessions are key now. Not just physically, but mentally too. That weird jelly-leg sensation? You want to get used to it before race day.
Tips:
- Start short (20 min bike + 10 min run) and build up.
- Keep transitions tight—no coffee breaks between disciplines.
- Test gear, socks, and nutrition during these sessions.
Nutrition: Test and Adjust
If your race is six months away, so is your longest brick or your longest race simulation. That means it’s the perfect time to start dialing in your nutrition:
- What sits well during long sessions?
- How many grams of carbs/hour do you tolerate?
- Are you hydrating enough? Overdoing it?
I’m testing different gels and hydration mixes now—not on race week.
The Mental Game
Six months out is also when motivation dips for a lot of us. The race still feels far off, and the training gets serious. This is when I like to remind myself why I’m doing this.
Some things that help:
- Having a training partner or group (virtual or real).
- Logging my sessions (nothing fancy, just honest).
- Celebrating small wins: new FTP, consistent sleep, hitting targets.
What’s Coming
In a month or two, intensity will ramp up again. Threshold efforts. Race simulations. Transition practice in full gear.
But right now, it’s about steady, smart, and intentional progress.
So—where are you at six months out? Let us know how your training’s going. Let’s build something strong now, so we can fly later.
#TriathlonTraining #6MonthsToGo #TrainWithPurpose #EarthSeaFire
