FastCamp — FREE 8-Week Coached Triathlon Training Program

Coach P


FastCamp Logo 1

NEW from Endurance Nation, FastCamp is a FREE, limited time only opportunity for you to train with an Endurance Nation training plan under the direct guidance of EN Coaches Rich Strauss and Patrick McCrann.

FastCamp beings Monday, March 12 and ends Sunday, May 6th

>> Go here to register and to claim your FastCamp slot!

Access Our Insider Triathlete Email Series

The Details:

  • FastCamp is an 8-week training plan based on our famous OutSeason® and Short Course training plans — low volume, high intensity workouts proven across thousands of athletes since 2007 to make you much, much faster — and, yes, SWIMMING is included!
  • Each Sunday, Rich and Patrick will publish the next week’s training schedule and supporting content — videos, podcasts, and other content created by the coaches exclusively for FastCamp participants.
  • The Coaches will provide support to participants, answering questions posted to the comment section of the FastCamp pages.
  • The Coaches will also conduct four live webinars. Webinar participation will be limited to registered FastCamp participants only.

The first two weeks of FastCamp — the weekly training schedule, supporting content, and conversations with the coaches via the comment section of the blog — will be open to the public.  You will need to be a registered participant in order to view the weekly training schedule for the remaining six weeks of FastCamp.

Participation in this first round of FastCamp is limited to 500 athletes.

FastCamp is 100% FREE!

Go here to register and to claim your FastCamp slot, gaining open access to the entire 8 weeks of FastCamp!

Why is FastCamp free?
We understand that many of our training methods may sound rather unconventional…yet they work. We understand that our training plans are more expensive than our competition…yet we sell hundreds every year. We have created FastCamp to give you a chance to take the coaches, our training plans, support, and coaching style for a FREE test drive.

Go here to register and to claim your FastCamp slot!

Access Our Insider Triathlete Email Series

 

Author

Coach P

All stories by: Coach P
92 comments
  • Janet
    REPLY

    Hi Coach Rich – I did sign up for the Fast Camp and really looking forward to it! I do have a question though about my first race, which is actually on May 20th, about 10 weeks after Fast Camp begins, its a sprint race, but wondering if you would agree this would be helpful training in preparation for that race?
    Would you recommend anything leading up to Fast Camp, i.e. moderate level of swim, bike running prior to Fast Camp?

    Thanks again and looking forward to getting more involved with the EN Team!
    Janet

  • Janet
    REPLY

    Hi Coach Rich – I did sign up for the Fast Camp and really looking forward to it! I do have a question though about my first race, which is actually on May 20th, about 10 weeks after Fast Camp begins, its a sprint race, but wondering if you would agree this would be helpful training in preparation for that race?
    Would you recommend anything leading up to Fast Camp, i.e. moderate level of swim, bike running prior to Fast Camp?

    Thanks again and looking forward to getting more involved with the EN Team!
    Janet

  • patrick
    REPLY

    Hi Janet,

    FastCamp will be a hybrid of a short course and half Ironman training plan. I would say that before the camp you should be able to run an hour continuously, easily, and ride 2hrs. In other words, if you’ve been doing typical winter triathlon training stuff vs sitting on the couch eating KrisyKremes for months…you’ll be fine!
    Rich

  • patrick
    REPLY

    Hi Janet,

    FastCamp will be a hybrid of a short course and half Ironman training plan. I would say that before the camp you should be able to run an hour continuously, easily, and ride 2hrs. In other words, if you’ve been doing typical winter triathlon training stuff vs sitting on the couch eating KrisyKremes for months…you’ll be fine!
    Rich

  • Kortney
    REPLY

    Hi Coach Rich,
    My A race is Eagleman, June 10th… I purchased the Intermediate 70.3 training plan, and I’m wondering if I’d be better off sticking to that or participating in the fast camp given the timing?

    Any advice would be appreciated!

    • rich
      REPLY

      Kortney, stick with the 12wk HIM plan you have, though you’re welcome to join and participate in the learning aspect of it. That is, check it out and see how we do business! Rich

  • Kortney
    REPLY

    Hi Coach Rich,
    My A race is Eagleman, June 10th… I purchased the Intermediate 70.3 training plan, and I’m wondering if I’d be better off sticking to that or participating in the fast camp given the timing?

    Any advice would be appreciated!

    • rich
      REPLY

      Kortney, stick with the 12wk HIM plan you have, though you’re welcome to join and participate in the learning aspect of it. That is, check it out and see how we do business! Rich

    • rich
      REPLY

      We will put our athletes into their IM training plans 12wks out from IMNYC so I recommend you do something similar. That is (not sure how the calendar math works) but FC until ~12wks out from IMNYC, then transition over. Rich

    • rich
      REPLY

      We will put our athletes into their IM training plans 12wks out from IMNYC so I recommend you do something similar. That is (not sure how the calendar math works) but FC until ~12wks out from IMNYC, then transition over. Rich

  • rich
    REPLY

    Grady, sorry, this is a 8wk training program, not a teach people how to race Ironman program. That said, search this blog and you’ll find a crazy amount of race execution discussion and content!

  • rich
    REPLY

    Grady, sorry, this is a 8wk training program, not a teach people how to race Ironman program. That said, search this blog and you’ll find a crazy amount of race execution discussion and content!

  • Carol
    REPLY

    Hi Rich – I’ve been training since last year for my first olympic tri. The race is Apr. 1st here in Hawaii. I’m at your recommended starting level of doing a brick consisting of 1 hr run and 2 hr bike. Should I incorporate your training program at this time or wait until after the race? Thanks for the opportunity to train with the EN Team!

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Carol, as you’ll be doing a taper, etc in route to that Oly and during FC, probably best to wait until after your race to try this out. But you can still register and play along with us at home, so to speak 🙂

  • Carol
    REPLY

    Hi Rich – I’ve been training since last year for my first olympic tri. The race is Apr. 1st here in Hawaii. I’m at your recommended starting level of doing a brick consisting of 1 hr run and 2 hr bike. Should I incorporate your training program at this time or wait until after the race? Thanks for the opportunity to train with the EN Team!

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Carol, as you’ll be doing a taper, etc in route to that Oly and during FC, probably best to wait until after your race to try this out. But you can still register and play along with us at home, so to speak 🙂

  • Warren
    REPLY

    Rich, I’m racing a Rev3 HIM Aug 26 as my main season focus. My first race of the season is a half marathon, May 6. This would fall right at the end of the 8 week program. While I’d like to really race and PR that half marathon, I am much more concerned on being ready for the HIM.

    Given this schedule, should I be ok to follow the 8 week program and maybe tailor it a bit to accommodate the HM at the end?

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      You’ll want to add some running volume to the tail end of FC to accommodate that half marathon. Zero need to change FC to accommodate the HIM. You have a LOT of time. You generally don’t need to even be thinking about your HIM until about 10-12wks out.

  • Warren
    REPLY

    Rich, I’m racing a Rev3 HIM Aug 26 as my main season focus. My first race of the season is a half marathon, May 6. This would fall right at the end of the 8 week program. While I’d like to really race and PR that half marathon, I am much more concerned on being ready for the HIM.

    Given this schedule, should I be ok to follow the 8 week program and maybe tailor it a bit to accommodate the HM at the end?

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      You’ll want to add some running volume to the tail end of FC to accommodate that half marathon. Zero need to change FC to accommodate the HIM. You have a LOT of time. You generally don’t need to even be thinking about your HIM until about 10-12wks out.

  • Mike
    REPLY

    Thank you for offering this program. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
    I am curious how I can make this fit my race schedule. I have a OLY on May 19 and a Half IM on July 15.

    Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
    Mike

    • Mike
      REPLY

      Just curious if you had a chance to answer my original post (attached) about the Fastcamp fitting into my race schedule.
      Any thoughts?

      Thank you for offering this. I am sure this will be a great way to find out what Endurance Nation is all about.

      Thank you for offering this program. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
      I am curious how I can make this fit my race schedule. I have a OLY on May 19 and a Half IM on July 15.

      Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
      Mike

      • Rich Strauss
        REPLY

        Mike,
        Sorry we missed your question. Recommend you roll your FC fitness right into your May 19th Oly, no real need to modify FC to fit that.

        Regarding your July 15th HIM, it certainly works for a scheduling perspective and you can take advantage of our special membership rate to join the team during that period or can buy a training plan…or not, up to you! But we have HUGE team numbers at many of the summer HIM’s, creating some need mojo and accountability/learning opportunities for everyone.

  • Mike
    REPLY

    Thank you for offering this program. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
    I am curious how I can make this fit my race schedule. I have a OLY on May 19 and a Half IM on July 15.

    Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
    Mike

    • Mike
      REPLY

      Just curious if you had a chance to answer my original post (attached) about the Fastcamp fitting into my race schedule.
      Any thoughts?

      Thank you for offering this. I am sure this will be a great way to find out what Endurance Nation is all about.

      Thank you for offering this program. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
      I am curious how I can make this fit my race schedule. I have a OLY on May 19 and a Half IM on July 15.

      Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
      Mike

      • Rich Strauss
        REPLY

        Mike,
        Sorry we missed your question. Recommend you roll your FC fitness right into your May 19th Oly, no real need to modify FC to fit that.

        Regarding your July 15th HIM, it certainly works for a scheduling perspective and you can take advantage of our special membership rate to join the team during that period or can buy a training plan…or not, up to you! But we have HUGE team numbers at many of the summer HIM’s, creating some need mojo and accountability/learning opportunities for everyone.

  • gary
    REPLY

    Good morning RnP,

    I have a half marathon March 11….two olympic distance races: April 28 and May 12th….will this 8 week plan work. Thanks …

  • gary
    REPLY

    Good morning RnP,

    I have a half marathon March 11….two olympic distance races: April 28 and May 12th….will this 8 week plan work. Thanks …

  • Bryan
    REPLY

    I am doing IMAZ in November, and am not impressed with my current coach. I am signed up for fast camp. What would be the process to continue on with EN after Fast Camp? Would I just purchase an IM season plan or are there other options? Cannot wait for next Monday! Thanks for doing this, we all need something new in our training, and I am tired of this plateau I’ve been on for years!!!

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Hi Bryan,
      Thanks for the props! In your Week 1 email you should have received a link and a password to view a “special offer” page, offering membership for 3 x $79/mo and then $99/mo thereafter, vs the $99/mo street price. You also received a 20% discount on a training plan (I think) so whatever option works for you, plan vs team.

  • Bryan
    REPLY

    I am doing IMAZ in November, and am not impressed with my current coach. I am signed up for fast camp. What would be the process to continue on with EN after Fast Camp? Would I just purchase an IM season plan or are there other options? Cannot wait for next Monday! Thanks for doing this, we all need something new in our training, and I am tired of this plateau I’ve been on for years!!!

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Hi Bryan,
      Thanks for the props! In your Week 1 email you should have received a link and a password to view a “special offer” page, offering membership for 3 x $79/mo and then $99/mo thereafter, vs the $99/mo street price. You also received a 20% discount on a training plan (I think) so whatever option works for you, plan vs team.

  • Jeremy
    REPLY

    I signed up for FC. I am doing my first OLY on Memorial Day, 29 May (CapTex Tri). I am considering doing IMKY in late August as my first IM distance race. Is FC followed by a 12 week IM training plan okay or would I benefit more from a 20 week IM specific plan? I have a solid run background (3:30 marathon), avg 18-20 mph on the bike on any given day, but am a somewhat weak swimmer (2:00/100 yds).

    Many Thanks,

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      I would recommend doing FC and then the 12wk plan, but consider adding some volume to the FC long bike and long run to give you a head start on that IM plan. IOW, it’s very, very powerful for anyone doing an Ironman to have regular ~1:20-30 long runs and ~3:00 long rides. These are the distances we’ve found can accommodate the “get faster” interval training that we like to mix into these long sessions. If you can do those, you’ll be fine jumping into Week 1 of our 12wk IM plan after completing FastCamp.

  • Jeremy
    REPLY

    I signed up for FC. I am doing my first OLY on Memorial Day, 29 May (CapTex Tri). I am considering doing IMKY in late August as my first IM distance race. Is FC followed by a 12 week IM training plan okay or would I benefit more from a 20 week IM specific plan? I have a solid run background (3:30 marathon), avg 18-20 mph on the bike on any given day, but am a somewhat weak swimmer (2:00/100 yds).

    Many Thanks,

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      I would recommend doing FC and then the 12wk plan, but consider adding some volume to the FC long bike and long run to give you a head start on that IM plan. IOW, it’s very, very powerful for anyone doing an Ironman to have regular ~1:20-30 long runs and ~3:00 long rides. These are the distances we’ve found can accommodate the “get faster” interval training that we like to mix into these long sessions. If you can do those, you’ll be fine jumping into Week 1 of our 12wk IM plan after completing FastCamp.

  • Robert
    REPLY

    I am the new guy around here. I just recently started training after being a couch potato for years. I have lost a bunch of weight and am planning on a sprint tri in July or August. Would depend on which one I am ready for or both if I get there ahead of time. I am more then happy to sit out for someone more qualified if needed. I would like to check out the training and see if I need to push myself harder or if I am on course. I know my diet is totally off course for triathlon training. Hopefully I can pick up pointers or a proper diet and training plan. Thanks for offering this for us new guys, I have not ran a sports event in a long time and am planning on giving my all when my sprint tri comes up.

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Robert,
      No worries, great to have you! There’s been so much interest in FastCamp (over 800 registered as of today!) that we’ve dropped the 500 person cap…and will just work harder instead 😉

  • Robert
    REPLY

    I am the new guy around here. I just recently started training after being a couch potato for years. I have lost a bunch of weight and am planning on a sprint tri in July or August. Would depend on which one I am ready for or both if I get there ahead of time. I am more then happy to sit out for someone more qualified if needed. I would like to check out the training and see if I need to push myself harder or if I am on course. I know my diet is totally off course for triathlon training. Hopefully I can pick up pointers or a proper diet and training plan. Thanks for offering this for us new guys, I have not ran a sports event in a long time and am planning on giving my all when my sprint tri comes up.

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Robert,
      No worries, great to have you! There’s been so much interest in FastCamp (over 800 registered as of today!) that we’ve dropped the 500 person cap…and will just work harder instead 😉

  • Dave
    REPLY

    Hi,

    Thanks for offering this program, question about the bike test: should I do it on my Computrainer or outside (I have a Powertap as well) Thanks

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Dave,

      We would much prefer you did the test outside, with your PT, assuming you have a suitable, safe venue to do so. Race-specific riding position would also be groovy. All of _this_ will ensure that your FTP is outdoor watts in your race position = very, very close to what you’ll be doing on race day.

      If not, then on your CT but download the data from your PT to determine your FTP. The reason for this is your CT and PT will likely not measure the same watts so we want you to use the PT watts as this is what you’ll be training and racing with outside.

      Finally, outside watts and inside watts are always different so, whenever possible, we want you testing outside and riding outside so we can get you dialed into the tools you’ll be racing with…outside 🙂

  • Dave
    REPLY

    Hi,

    Thanks for offering this program, question about the bike test: should I do it on my Computrainer or outside (I have a Powertap as well) Thanks

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Dave,

      We would much prefer you did the test outside, with your PT, assuming you have a suitable, safe venue to do so. Race-specific riding position would also be groovy. All of _this_ will ensure that your FTP is outdoor watts in your race position = very, very close to what you’ll be doing on race day.

      If not, then on your CT but download the data from your PT to determine your FTP. The reason for this is your CT and PT will likely not measure the same watts so we want you to use the PT watts as this is what you’ll be training and racing with outside.

      Finally, outside watts and inside watts are always different so, whenever possible, we want you testing outside and riding outside so we can get you dialed into the tools you’ll be racing with…outside 🙂

  • ace
    REPLY

    I’ve read through the swim e-guide. It’s great stuff and thanks for making it available. I do have a couple questions.

    One illustration you use is to put my left arm straight out in front of me and bend the elbow. When I do this my forearm just travels parallel to my desk. It doesn’t touch the desk at all. I would have to rotate my shoulder until the crook of my elbow was pointing down before bending my elbow would allow my fingers to touch the desk. What am I missing?

    The guide describes swimming on your side as presenting less surface area to the water. I don’t see how this is true. I think of a 2X4 as the example. It can be either on its side or flat. If its flat then there will be four inches of wood exposed to the water but it will be more buoyant so only the bottom inch will be in the water and thus having to move water out of the way. If you turn it on its side then only 2 inches is exposed to the water but it will sink 2 inches into the water. So either way you have 4 square inches submerged and needing to push water out of the way. What am I missing?

    Thanks

  • ace
    REPLY

    I’ve read through the swim e-guide. It’s great stuff and thanks for making it available. I do have a couple questions.

    One illustration you use is to put my left arm straight out in front of me and bend the elbow. When I do this my forearm just travels parallel to my desk. It doesn’t touch the desk at all. I would have to rotate my shoulder until the crook of my elbow was pointing down before bending my elbow would allow my fingers to touch the desk. What am I missing?

    The guide describes swimming on your side as presenting less surface area to the water. I don’t see how this is true. I think of a 2X4 as the example. It can be either on its side or flat. If its flat then there will be four inches of wood exposed to the water but it will be more buoyant so only the bottom inch will be in the water and thus having to move water out of the way. If you turn it on its side then only 2 inches is exposed to the water but it will sink 2 inches into the water. So either way you have 4 square inches submerged and needing to push water out of the way. What am I missing?

    Thanks

  • Rich Strauss
    REPLY

    Ace,

    Sorry, to be more clear:

    Elbow: extend your left arm out, with hand parallel to your desktop. Now point your fingers downward and bend your elbow. This is very close to the catch we want you to have when swimming, “fingers pointed downward” probably the key.

    Rotation: now, stand up. Shoulders square, left hand outstretched. Now reach as far out as you can, rolling that left shoulder downwards…you’re now swimming your side. This long, outstretched body line is more hydrodynamic than your square shoulders: think of the long line of a sculling row boat (the long skinny ones they race in) vs a regular boat. Also notice that as you stretch your arm out and roll over on your side, your shoulder is tucked in closer to your chin and presents less frontal area.

  • Rich Strauss
    REPLY

    Ace,

    Sorry, to be more clear:

    Elbow: extend your left arm out, with hand parallel to your desktop. Now point your fingers downward and bend your elbow. This is very close to the catch we want you to have when swimming, “fingers pointed downward” probably the key.

    Rotation: now, stand up. Shoulders square, left hand outstretched. Now reach as far out as you can, rolling that left shoulder downwards…you’re now swimming your side. This long, outstretched body line is more hydrodynamic than your square shoulders: think of the long line of a sculling row boat (the long skinny ones they race in) vs a regular boat. Also notice that as you stretch your arm out and roll over on your side, your shoulder is tucked in closer to your chin and presents less frontal area.

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Mike, the Week 1 email should have shown in up your inbox soon after the Welcome email. Sometimes it takes a bit of time (ie, email doesn’t hit you on the head as soon as you hit submit 🙂 so let us know later today!

    • Rich Strauss
      REPLY

      Mike, the Week 1 email should have shown in up your inbox soon after the Welcome email. Sometimes it takes a bit of time (ie, email doesn’t hit you on the head as soon as you hit submit 🙂 so let us know later today!

  • Karma
    REPLY

    Hey everyone,

    I am wondering if anyone else doing FC is also training for Boston Marathon and then making a quick transition to the short New England tri season. I am totally pumped for FC because otherwise the marathon comes and goes and I am in sad tri shape. 🙂 and I am racing Patriot half IM in June and IMMT in August.

    Coaches, what mid-week FC workouts would be the best to substitute for my long tempo runs in prep for a fast run on Patriots Day?
    thanks guys, loving week #1
    Karma

    • patrick
      REPLY

      Karma, I suggest you alternate weeks of FastCamp runs with your scheduled Boston runs for the best of both worlds. Once you hit April you can do the weekday #FASTCAMP runs only, weekend Boston ones!

      • Karma
        REPLY

        great, thank you! attempting to fit it all in will not work well, so I appreciate the suggestion. Fully looking forward to the rest of the plan!

  • Karma
    REPLY

    Hey everyone,

    I am wondering if anyone else doing FC is also training for Boston Marathon and then making a quick transition to the short New England tri season. I am totally pumped for FC because otherwise the marathon comes and goes and I am in sad tri shape. 🙂 and I am racing Patriot half IM in June and IMMT in August.

    Coaches, what mid-week FC workouts would be the best to substitute for my long tempo runs in prep for a fast run on Patriots Day?
    thanks guys, loving week #1
    Karma

    • patrick
      REPLY

      Karma, I suggest you alternate weeks of FastCamp runs with your scheduled Boston runs for the best of both worlds. Once you hit April you can do the weekday #FASTCAMP runs only, weekend Boston ones!

      • Karma
        REPLY

        great, thank you! attempting to fit it all in will not work well, so I appreciate the suggestion. Fully looking forward to the rest of the plan!

  • Dennis Budd
    REPLY

    Hi,
    I have followed you for years and the main reson I have not subsribed is your site is impossible to get around. i signed up for fast camp ,you sent a reply that i was in and i am at a page that tells me to sign up? i looked at the bike video , you do not tell us wkere to find the test.i could go on but you get the point.
    Help

    • ace
      REPLY

      Dennis, I agree with you. EN is great but the web interface needs work. There should be a main page with very clear links on it. I should be able to go to that main page and navigate to everywhere any participant might want to go.

      • patrick
        REPLY

        Ace, thanks for the feedback. It’s a new platform for us, and it _is_ free. We have spent a lot of time building out the members side…but we can always do better!

    • patrick
      REPLY

      Dennis, sorry for the confusion. Please note that FastCamp is free and not our actual members website. You can see that anytime by creating a free trial or by taking the Tour on the tour page. We have made serious investments on improving the web experience for our members (it is an uphill battle!) and admittedly that has yet to trickle down to everyone. The reason you see that message on FC1 (and will see on FC2) is that it’s open and we have over 100 new folks joining a day. Thanks for tuning in!

  • Dennis Budd
    REPLY

    Hi,
    I have followed you for years and the main reson I have not subsribed is your site is impossible to get around. i signed up for fast camp ,you sent a reply that i was in and i am at a page that tells me to sign up? i looked at the bike video , you do not tell us wkere to find the test.i could go on but you get the point.
    Help

    • ace
      REPLY

      Dennis, I agree with you. EN is great but the web interface needs work. There should be a main page with very clear links on it. I should be able to go to that main page and navigate to everywhere any participant might want to go.

      • patrick
        REPLY

        Ace, thanks for the feedback. It’s a new platform for us, and it _is_ free. We have spent a lot of time building out the members side…but we can always do better!

    • patrick
      REPLY

      Dennis, sorry for the confusion. Please note that FastCamp is free and not our actual members website. You can see that anytime by creating a free trial or by taking the Tour on the tour page. We have made serious investments on improving the web experience for our members (it is an uphill battle!) and admittedly that has yet to trickle down to everyone. The reason you see that message on FC1 (and will see on FC2) is that it’s open and we have over 100 new folks joining a day. Thanks for tuning in!

  • Rich Strauss
    REPLY

    THE COMMENTS SECTION OF THIS BLOG POST IS CLOSED.

    Please post all FastCamp question tothe most recent FastCamp blog post. Just click on the “FastCamp” category link under the title of this post (top of this page)

  • Rich Strauss
    REPLY

    THE COMMENTS SECTION OF THIS BLOG POST IS CLOSED.

    Please post all FastCamp question tothe most recent FastCamp blog post. Just click on the “FastCamp” category link under the title of this post (top of this page)

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