BBrick to Brick
Tool

Triathlon Path Builder

Map your journey from where you are now to your goal race — with a realistic timeline and training resources for every step.

Your progression path

15–22 months total
1

Sprint Triathlon

8–12 weeks

750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run. The perfect entry point. Focus on completing each discipline comfortably and practicing transitions.

Start Here guide Gear checklist
2

Olympic Triathlon

12–16 weeks

1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run. A meaningful step up that tests your endurance. Build aerobic base and start structured training.

Training zone calculator Race nutrition calculator
3

Ironman 70.3

16–24 weeks

1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run. Half-Ironman distance requires serious preparation. Nutrition strategy becomes critical at this distance.

70.3 Training Plan Race day simulator
4

Full Ironman

24–36 weeks

3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run. The ultimate endurance challenge. Requires peak training of 12–15 hours per week and bulletproof race-day execution.

Ironman Training Plan Can I finish an Ironman?
Am I ready for an Ironman?Beginner's start guide

How to plan your triathlon progression

The most common mistake beginners make is jumping straight into long-distance racing. A structured progression through Sprint → Olympic → 70.3 → Ironman builds your fitness, race skills, and mental resilience at each step.

Each race distance teaches you something new: Sprint races develop speed and transition skills, Olympic distances build your aerobic engine, 70.3 events teach nutrition strategy, and the full Ironman tests everything together.

People also ask

How long does it take to go from beginner to Ironman?

Most athletes take 2–3 years to safely progress from complete beginner to Ironman finisher, racing shorter distances along the way to build experience and fitness.

Can I skip straight to an Ironman 70.3?

If you have a strong endurance background (marathon running, competitive cycling), it's possible with 4–6 months of triathlon-specific training. Otherwise, start with a Sprint.

What's the best first triathlon distance?

Sprint distance is ideal for most beginners. It's challenging enough to give you a real race experience but short enough that fitness gaps won't stop you from finishing.

One practical triathlon decision each week

A useful decision, tool, checklist, or evidence-backed update for your next training block or race.

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