Challenge Wanaka: A Complete Swim, Bike & Run Pacing Strategy

Pacing is everything at Challenge Wanaka. A controlled swim, disciplined bike, and measured run can make the difference between a strong finish and a fade-out. In this article, I break down a complete swim–bike–run strategy for the Wanaka 70.3, including common pacing mistakes and how to avoid them — plus a free downloadable Challenge Wanaka Pacing Blueprint to guide your race day decisions.

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Challenge Wanaka Training Plan

Challenge Wanaka: What Makes This Course Different (and Why That Matters for Your Race Plan)

Challenge Wanaka is not a standard 70.3 triathlon. Cold morning conditions, a deceptively demanding bike course, and an honest, exposed run mean that small pacing mistakes quickly become big problems. In this article, I break down what makes the Wanaka course different, where athletes commonly go wrong, and how a smarter race plan can help you arrive at the run ready to perform — not just survive.

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Tuesday Training Plan: FastLane Swim Mastery: 🏊‍♂️ A Time-Efficient 12-Week Plan for Busy Triathletes Eyeing Olympic & ½ IM Glory 🏅 2 swims per week

Dive into Excellence: Accelerate Your Swim Performance in Just 12 Weeks! 🚀

Embark on a journey to triumph in your next Olympic or ½ Ironman triathlon with our meticulously crafted swim training plan. Designed for the time-strapped triathlete with aspirations of conquering an Ironman 70.3 event, ‘FastLane Swim Mastery’ is your key to unlocking a faster, more confident swim during YOUR race.

View More Tuesday Training Plan: FastLane Swim Mastery: 🏊‍♂️ A Time-Efficient 12-Week Plan for Busy Triathletes Eyeing Olympic & ½ IM Glory 🏅 2 swims per week

Monday’s Brick: Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #8

Tempo is an intensity that means different things to different athletes and coaches. For me, I define Tempo as an effort comfortably below the Threshold pace. It is the sort of intensity that is typically maintained during fast Ironman 70.3 events. It is higher than the aerobic effort of long steady workouts, sort of in the mid-zone between the aerobic and threshold efforts. Spending more than 15-20 minutes at this intensity, helps the body practice clearing the small amount of lactic acid generated at this pace, without needing to slow down to do so. This is a perfect session for triathletes competing in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 distance events.

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Monday's Brick: Dr Tommy Martin's Brick Session

Monday’s Brick: Dr Tommy Martin’s Brick Session

Tempo is an intensity that means different things to different athletes and coaches. For me, I define Tempo as an effort comfortably below the Threshold pace. It is the sort of intensity that is typically maintained during fast Ironman 70.3 events. It is higher than the aerobic effort of long steady workouts, sort of in the mid-zone between the aerobic and threshold efforts. Spending more than 15-20 minutes at this intensity, helps the body practice clearing the small amount of lactic acid generated at this pace, without needing to slow down to do so. This is a perfect session for triathletes competing in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 distance events.

View More Monday’s Brick: Dr Tommy Martin’s Brick Session

Monday’s Brick: Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #7

Tempo is an intensity that means different things to different athletes and coaches. For me, I define Tempo as an effort comfortably below the Threshold pace. It is the sort of intensity that is typically maintained during fast Ironman 70.3 events. It is higher than the aerobic effort of long steady workouts, sort of in the mid-zone between the aerobic and threshold efforts. Spending more than 15-20 minutes at this intensity, helps the body practice clearing the small amount of lactic acid generated at this pace, without needing to slow down to do so. This is a perfect session for triathletes competing in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 distance events.

View More Monday’s Brick: Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #7
Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #6

Monday’s Brick: Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #6

Tempo is an intensity that means different things to different athletes and coaches. For me, I define Tempo as an effort comfortably below the Threshold pace. It is the sort of intensity that is typically maintained during fast Ironman 70.3 events. It is higher than the aerobic effort of long steady workouts, sort of in the mid-zone between the aerobic and threshold efforts. Spending more than 15-20 minutes at this intensity, helps the body practice clearing the small amount of lactic acid generated at this pace, without needing to slow down to do so. This is a perfect session for triathletes competing in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 distance events.

View More Monday’s Brick: Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #6

Monday’s Brick: Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #5

Tempo is an intensity that means different things to different athletes and coaches. For me, I define Tempo as an effort comfortably below the Threshold pace. It is the sort of intensity that typically maintained during fast Ironman 70.3 events. It is higher than the aerobic effort of long steady workouts, sort of in the mid-zone between the aerobic and threshold efforts. Spending more than 15-20 minutes at this intensity, helps the body practice clearing the small amount of lactic acid generated at this pace, without needing to slow down to do so. This is a perfect session for triathletes competing in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 distance events.

View More Monday’s Brick: Coach Ray’s Ironman 70.3 Tempo Brick #5
William Ritter's 70.3 Brick

Monday’s Brick: William Ritter’s 70.3 Brick

An Ironman 70.3 event needs you to sustain an intensity that you can maintain for a longer duration than you can for Threshold. That’s why this session has reps at Level III (Tempo) to prepare you for your Ironman 70.3. Although this workout is targeted to Ironman 70.3 athletes, it is also great for full Ironman athletes too.

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Monday’s Brick: Lance Watson’s Ironman 70.3 Brick C

Spending time at race pace or intensity is essential to success on race day. This brick session helps you dial in your race pace ready to perform. This session is perfect for Ironman 70.3 athletes but can also be of benefit for Ironman athletes.

View More Monday’s Brick: Lance Watson’s Ironman 70.3 Brick C