If you’re still just thinking about your triathlon race schedule for the year… consider this your wake-up call.
Top-performing triathletes don’t just train harder — they train smarter. And one of the smartest moves you can make? Locking in your race season early.
Waiting until the last minute to choose your races can lead to a pile of problems:
- Your goal race sells out
- Flight and hotel costs skyrocket
- Training becomes chaotic and unstructured
- Motivation takes a nosedive
But when you plan now, you give yourself a clear roadmap — one that leads to peak performance, reduced stress, and a season of results you’re proud of.
Here’s how to do it right (plus a few items that’ll help you get organized and geared up).
1. Choose Your “A” Race First
Your entire training plan should revolve around your primary goal race — your “A” race. Whether it’s an IRONMAN 70.3, a full IRONMAN, or a local Olympic-distance race that pushes you outside your comfort zone, this is the race you want to be firing on all cylinders for.
Need inspiration? Grab a triathlon race calendar or notebook where you can map out potential events and track registration deadlines.
👉 [Affiliate Link: Triathlon Training Log & Race Planner – Amazon]
2. Add B and C Races to Build the Season
Once your A-race is selected, sprinkle in a few B-races (secondary focus races, great for sharpening race-day skills) and C-races (low-pressure events that help keep your racing instincts sharp).
Timing tip:
- B-races usually fall 4–8 weeks before your A-race.
- C-races can go earlier in the season or used as training benchmarks.
Pro tip: Use a large wall calendar or whiteboard planner to visually lay out your season.
👉 [Affiliate Link: Dry Erase Wall Calendar for Athletes – Amazon]
3. Consider Travel and Logistics Now
Triathlon is a logistical sport — and planning ahead gives you the edge. Look at potential race locations and start checking flights, lodging, and car rentals early. Booking now saves money and ensures you’re staying somewhere close to the action.
Don’t forget to pick up a reliable triathlon travel bag if you’re flying with your gear this season.
👉 [Affiliate Link: Triathlon Bike Travel Case – Amazon]
👉 [Affiliate Link: Compression Packing Cubes for Race Weekend – Amazon]
4. Reverse-Engineer Your Training Plan
Once your races are mapped out, work backward from your A-race to build your training structure. You’ll want a clear base, build, peak, and taper phase — ideally spread out over 16–24 weeks, depending on your race distance and current fitness.
👉 [Affiliate Link: Training Plans – TrainingPeaks]
👉 [Affiliate Link: Training Plans – 2 month free trial on TriDot]
Or, save time and stress with a TrainingPeaks plan or personalized coaching designed to fit your schedule. (Shameless plug: That’s exactly what we do at Set The Pace Triathlon 😉)
5. Get Organized — and Stay That Way
Want to stay on track and avoid overwhelm? Set up a dedicated triathlon command center at home with these helpful tools:
🟢 Weekly training planner – Write out sessions so they’re always visible
🟢 Waterproof gear bin – Keep all your swim/bike/run gear in one place
🟢 Nutrition organizer – Store gels, bars, and drink mixes by type and race
👉 [Affiliate Link: Weekly Fitness Planner Pad – Amazon]
👉 [Affiliate Link: Stackable Waterproof Gear Totes – Amazon]
👉 [Affiliate Link: Sports Nutrition Caddy – Amazon]
Final Thoughts: Don’t Leave Your Season to Chance
Every successful race starts long before the starting line. Planning your season now means you’re training with intention, pacing your build-up properly, and racing with confidence.
Want help mapping out your season or customizing a plan that fits your goals and life? Reach out to us at Set The Pace Triathlon — we’ll help you turn that race calendar into results.
Quick Links to Get You Started:
✅ [Triathlon Training Log & Race Planner – Amazon]
✅ [Dry Erase Wall Calendar for Athletes – Amazon]
✅ [Affiliate Link: Training Plans – 2 month free trial on TriDot]
✅ [Bike Travel Bag – Amazon]
✅ [Weekly Fitness Planner Pad – Amazon]
