IRONMAN NEW ZEALAND 2026
DURATION : 20wks to March 7th 2026
PRINCIPLES : The build is very Taupo course specific, leg strength is key to handle the dead rolling road of the bike course, then even more challenging run course that follows.
OVERVIEW : The build is split into 2 phases, SPECIFIC and RACE, we recommend 2x training races over the course of the build. We will hold a NZ Ironman Training Camp end Jan (Halls Gap) and build finishes with 2weeks taper. Further details below
TRAINING PHASES
The phases are really defined by the type of Long Ride and Long Run load you do, complimented by progressive overload through Z3/4 mid-week.
PHASE 1 SPECIFIC 10wks – Slight bike load leaning in this phase, with an emphasis on hill training for strength endurance and threshold 2 development.
PHASE 2 RACE 10wks – Balanced bike/run load bringing intensity mid-week to peak levels. More quality bike/run bricks for race fitness, and weekend emphasis is on dialling in race power/intensity during long intervals, and rehearsing fuelling strategies under intensity stress.
OD BRICKS (EXTENDED BRICKS)
We have 3 OD Ride / OD Run sessions every 6weeks throughout the build. These are key periodic sessions to help dial in and hold race intensity/power. They are as close as we get to simulating race day stress and an opportunity to practise race pace and fuelling strategies in training.
OD Rides – October 25th, December 6th, January 10th
OD Runs – November 1st, December 13th, January 3rd
LEAD IN RACES
We encourage our athletes to race during the build. Racing well is a habit so a couple of shorter 70.3, Standard Distance training races keeps the skills and mental game sharp. It’s also an important overspeed session and a chance to keep FTP and HR threshold values up to date. Finally they also serve the purpose of breaking up the progressive load with tapers etc which compliments the build.
IM MELB 70.3 (Nov 9th) OR 70.3 RACE SIM (Nov 8-9th)
2XU ST KILDA R3 (Jan 11th) – Loaded Standard Distance with 180km ride day before.
TRAINING CAMP
Halls Gap, The Grampians January 30th to February 2nd
Perfectly timed 4day training block 6weeks out from race day
