I am about to spend a lot of time in that saddle. I have entered the Build phase of my training for Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga.

The Build phase of training, is where my training starts to get a little more race specific.  My target race is a half Ironman, so this phase will include lots of volume.  I will also have some workouts that include higher intensity work.  

Compared to my Base phase, my swim volume should increase slightly.  I do a lot of intense intervals while swimming.  My interval sets will just get longer.  I will be doing sets of 20 repeats, where I might have been doing sets of 12 previously.

My bike volume will likely gradually increase too.  I will end up doing rides that are equal to, or slightly above, the half Ironman distance.  They will also include some longer intervals at higher power.  I need to fully develop my bike fitness, so I can begin the run on race day, feeling fresh.

My run workouts will no longer be just easy, endurance runs.  Some runs will have a few intense intervals or a section where I run at a faster pace.  I’ll be running hills to prepare for the course in Chattanooga.  I will also have a few runs, where I build pace.  These negative split runs are designed to mimic race pacing.

I will be in this Build phase for the next eight weeks, including a couple of down weeks.  By the time it is over, I will only be a month away from my first race of the year.