24 Week Ironman New Zealand 70.3 Plan
You get a structured plan synced straight to your watch, weekly group run sessions, monthly open water swims, and direct access to experts and professional triathletes who share their extensive wisdom on the course.
Sessions are in person in Auckland, or follow along from wherever you are.
What’s included
- 24 week plan built by TriNZ accredited coaches, synced directly to your watch
- Detailed workout notes for swim, bike and run, including indoor and outdoor training
- Weekly group run with structured drills and intervals
- Monthly open water swim session and transition practice
- Welcome pack with swim cap and product samples
- Online calls every 4 weeks featuring professional athletes and triathlon specialists
- Guidance on equipment, nutrition, recovery, and fitting training around life
- Discounts to local events and suppliers
- Limited places to keep the group small and your experience hands-on
Who is this for?
This programme is for people new to triathlon or those with some endurance experience wanting structure, expert guidance, and a plan that is easy to follow. You do not need to be fast. You do not need to have raced before. You need a starting point and the willingness to show up.
We have two plans to choose from:
Beginner
For the beginner plan you should be able to continuously:
- Swim 100m
- Ride for 30 minutes
- Run 1km
If you are close to those numbers but not quite there, talk to us. We’d rather help you get to the line than turn you away.
Intermediate
For the Intermediate plan, this is for athletes who:
- have experience completing a sprint, Olympic or 70.3 race in the last 9 months, or
- have been consistently (3 days per week) running or cycling for at least 6 months injury free
Worried you will be the slowest one there? You will not be, because everyone in the group is starting where you are. This is not for experienced athletes. You will be training beside people with the same nerves and the same goal.
Our run sessions are always operated by time and effort on an out-and-back course. For example, everybody will run 20 minutes out and 20 minutes back. Faster people will run a bit further, but you all come back to the start point at the same time, so there’s no worrying about people waiting or judging you.
Wondering if you have time? Expect around 5 to 12 hours a week, building up gradually as you get fitter. That is manageable around a full-time job and a family, and our guidance will show you exactly how to make it fit rather than take over.
What you get
A 24 week plan built for Taupō, synced to your watch
Every session lands on your GPS watch, ready to go. You open your watch, you do the session, the session is right for where you are in the build and right for the course you are training for. No spreadsheets to decode, no guessing what a workout is meant to feel like. Also, no AI slop. Everything you get is produced by experienced humans only. Your workout will give you detailed notes on its intent and how to execute it.
A plan you can shift around
Delivered on our friendly and easy to use platform. You can shift workouts around to suit you on the web, mobile or app. Guidance is provided on the optimum workout placement when you need to shift things around.
Monthly online group call
Coaches will explain the upcoming training block with a Q&A. We’ll have guest experts, professional triathletes and other triathlon specialists sharing their extensive experience and advice. We also give you insider tips that only years of experience can bring.
Weekly group run
Once a week we run together in Auckland CBD. Runs will vary by training phase and will include drills, technique, hills and intervals. Location: Wynyard Quarter (free parking for one hour at Jellicoe Street. Runs are 1 hour max including warm up, cool down, drills).
Monthly open water swim
Every month we take you into open water to build confidence and teach the skills a pool never will: sighting, swimming in a pack, staying calm, dealing with cold and chop. (Swim subject to weather and water quality). Location: Takapuna Beach, Kohimara Beach or Wynyard Quarter pool.
Local event meet-ups
You’ll get discounted entries to the Takapuna Beach Series, Kohi Beach Summer Swim Series, People’s Triathlon Series at Mission Bay and Maraetai. These are great opportunities to develop your fitness and skills in a safe and low-stress environment.
Bike maintenance basics and fix a flat tyre workshop
With Performance Bicycle Tuning. You’ll have the opportunity to attend a workshop to learn the basics of looking after your bike and how to fix a flat.
A complete guide library
You get comprehensive guides covering:
- Detailed guidance on how to do the workouts
- The equipment you actually need, and what’s just marketing hype
- Nutrition for training and for race day
- Recovery, so the training makes you stronger instead of just tired
- How to fit training around work and family without it taking over your life
- Mental performance techniques
Starter pack
Yours to collect at the first session or mailed to you. You’ll get a bag of goodies including a swim cap, nutrition products, and useful items for your triathlon journey.
Group chat
Share your questions and progress, and ask the coaches questions in between monthly calls.
Learn from the experts
Every 4 weeks, at the start of each training phase, we run an online call to walk you through what is coming and why. Each call brings in a guest who knows the race inside out: professional triathletes who have stood on the podium at Taupō, Ironman’s official expert bike mechanic, and other specialists whose wisdom will make your journey as smooth as it can be.
You get to ask them anything. The details that take most people years of racing to learn, handed to you before your first attempt.
Meet your team
Alex Bees, is a Triathlon New Zealand accredited coach with over 15 years of racing 100+ triathlons across every distance from sprint to full IRONMAN at races around the world including world championships. He has raced the Taupō 70.3 and IRONMAN course 6 times.
Taupō swim course record holder, 5 time podium finisher at Taupō 70.3 and IRONMAN. Becs will share her journey and talk about the nuances of the course that only years of racing bring.
Official bike mechanic of IRONMAN New Zealand. Ben will share his expert advice on keeping your bike in the best condition and how to respond if things go wrong.
Sam has a background in sports science, nutrition and dietetics and will make nutrition practical, evidence-based and easy to apply. She races triathlon herself so understands what it takes to balance training, work and fuelling.
What this is, and what it is not
You have options for getting to a 70.3. Here is where this one sits.
This is not a typical off-the-shelf training plan. A generic plan is built for a distance, not a course. This plan prepares you for the specifics of the Taupō 70.3 course.
This is not an AI training app. This plan is written by real human coaches and experienced specialists who have been there and done it over many years. This is not AI guess work.
This is not one-to-one coaching. Your programme is written and supported by coaches in a group setting. We also offer one-to-one coaching as a separate service.
This programme. You get the structure of a plan, the intelligence of coaches and experts who know the Taupō course, and the accountability and confidence of a group training toward the same race. Course-specific guidance plus real people, at a fraction of the cost of one-to-one.
What you need to start
You do not need to spend a fortune to start. To get the most out of the programme you will need some basic items to start with. The minimum are:
A road bike (+ bib shorts and jersey)
You do not need a triathlon/TT bike but you do need a road bike (not hybrid or mountain).
Running shoes (+ run kit)
Ones that are fitted to your size, pronation and gait. We highly recommend visiting a specialist running shoe store to get the right pair to avoid injury and discomfort.
Swim suit and goggles
We’ll provide you with a cap. Make sure your swim togs are intended for swimming and not bathing, and not baggy.
A GPS watch
This is how your plan reaches you and how your training gets tracked.
That’s it to get going. Everything else, from wetsuits to nutrition to what to pack for race morning, is covered in your guides and on the calls, so you buy the right things at the right time instead of guessing. There’s some genuinely useful and essential gear out there, but there’s also a lot of marketing hype. We’ll tell you the difference.
The 24 week build
The programme moves through clear phases, your plan will be released in 4-week blocks and each one starts with a call so you always know what you are doing and why.
Base
Build your aerobic base, get comfortable in the water, and learn to hold consistent training around your week. Build confidence in the pool and on the road. Training is mostly at an easy intensity.
Build
Introducing open water swims and longer rides and runs. Shorter sessions are done at a higher but manageable intensity.
Peak
Your biggest week is around 12 hours. Hone your open water swimming and longer road rides. We also simulate race day and transitions.
Race prep and taper
Practise race-day nutrition and logistics, sharpen up, and arrive at Taupō rested, ready, and knowing exactly what to expect.
Places are limited
We keep each training group small on purpose. The group sessions only work when the group stays a size we can actually coach, which means we cannot take everyone. The programme starts on 21st September, and once it’s full, it’s full.
If you’ve been thinking about your first 70.3, this is the time to decide.
Not sure you are ready? Book a free, no-pressure intro call. We’ll talk through where you are, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether this is the right fit. No commitment, just a conversation with a coach.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be fit or experienced to join?
No. This is built for people new to triathlon or those with some experience. If you can run 1km, swim 100m, and ride for 30 minutes without stopping, you have what you need to start. Everything else, we build together over 24 weeks.
Will I be the slowest one there?
No. This is not a room full of experienced triathletes. You will be training beside people with the same nerves and the same goal.
How much time do I need each week?
Around 5 to 12 hours, building up gradually as you get fitter. It is designed to fit around a full-time job and a family, and your guides show you exactly how to make that work. Typical weeks start off at 5-7 hours per week, growing to 8-10 and then peaking at 12 hours in the final stages.
What if I can't quite hit the entry requirements yet?
Talk to us before you rule yourself out. If you are close, we can usually help you bridge the gap. We would rather get you to the line than turn you away.
Is the plan delivered in one go?
No, the plan is delivered to you in monthly blocks to align with our online calls to talk through the next month of training and events.
Do I need an expensive tri bike?
No. A working road bike is all you need to start. Plenty of people race their first 70.3 on a road bike rather than a TT bike. Our equipment guide explains what is worth spending on and when, so you never buy something you do not need. We do not recommend a mountain or hybrid bike.
What equipment do I actually need to begin?
A road bike + kit, run shoes + kit, swim togs + goggles and a GPS watch. That is the minimum. Your guides cover everything else, including wetsuits, nutrition, and race-day kit, so you get the right gear at the right time.
How does the plan get to my watch?
Every session is synced to your GPS watch. You open your watch, the session is there, and you follow it. No decoding spreadsheets.
I don’t live in Auckland, can I still join?
Yes you can! You can follow the plan and join the calls from wherever in the world you are.
Can I move sessions around?
Yes. But you need to be careful not to put harder sessions back-to-back. We’ll provide guidance on this.
I work full time and have a family. Can I really do this?
Yes, this is designed for people like you! We coach people with demanding jobs and full households, and the plan is built to fit around your life. Your guides include specific advice on managing training alongside work and family.
Where are the run sessions held?
The weekly group run is held in the Auckland CBD / Wynyard Quarter on Wednesday mornings at 6:30am. Runs will be around the Viaduct, Westhaven and Victoria Park. Routes will vary depending on the aims of the session.
Where are the swim sessions held?
The monthly swims will rotate between Takapuna Beach, Kohimarama Beach and the Wynyard Quarter harbour pool. Each session will have specific aims so the location is suited to the purpose of the swim. Swims will be on Saturday mornings and subject to weather conditions. We may move sessions if required.
What if I miss a group session?
Life happens and one missed session will not derail your race. You can also do the run session yourself on your own route at a time that suits. However we do not recommend swimming open water alone.
I'm nervous about the open water swim. Is that normal?
Completely normal, and it is the exact reason why we run a monthly open water sessions. We teach you sighting, swimming in a group, staying calm, and handling cold and chop. We also have discounted entries to the Takapuna Beach Series and Kohi Beach Summer Series so you can practice open water with hundreds of other swimmers with life guards.
Are there lifeguards at the monthly open water swim sessions?
No. You will be supervised by a coach. Sessions intentionally start small to build confidence in shallow water and you will swim close to shore. We will gradually increase to longer sessions. We strongly recommend attending some events at the Takapuna Beach Series or Kohi Summer Swim Series to build more confidence.
Do I need a wetsuit?
It is recommended but not compulsory. Your equipment guide and the open water sessions cover what to look for and how to use it, so you are not guessing.
Do you offer group rides?
Depending on numbers we may offer group rides as part of the programme. Due to logistics and safety of riding on the open road, group rides will be limited to small numbers on a pre-booking system on the training website.
How is this different from one-to-one coaching?
One-to-one coaching offers a fully personalised plan and regular one-to-one conversations with bespoke training and racing strategies. Both are useful and depending on your goals and needs, one may be more appropriate.
Which race does this build to?
IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand in Taupō on 6th March 2027.
Are there rest days in the plan?
In the early months there is one rest day per week. As you build fitness the rest days drop to every fourth week and are replaced with easier sessions. You can move your rest to suit you.
Can I join part-way through?
Yes, but please contact us first as to get the most out of your journey and having a successful race day is dependent on completing as much of the 24 week plan as possible.
How are workouts delivered?
These are displayed on our training software which you can access on the website or mobile app. You will receive the specific details to the site once you are signed up.
How is payment taken and what happens when I sign up?
When you sign up to the programme you will be charged the first week payment. You can pay by debit or credit card. You will receive an email with details to create your account to the plan and more information on the programme. Please check your junk/spam folder! Your next payment will be automatically taken on 28th September 2026 and weekly thereafter, with the final weekly payment being 1st March 2027.
Can I get my money back if it is not right for me?
You may give one week’s notice to cancel.
What happens after the race?
We will hold a debrief online where you can share your experiences and learn how the day went for other athletes on the programme. If you decide to continue your triathlon journey we can advise on next steps.
Ready to start?
24 weeks. A plan built for Taupō. Real coaching, real experience, real group sessions, and real people racing alongside you.