Both race builds are specifically designed to lead you into a key event, however the suitable choice for you is the one that most aligns with your life’s dynamics and available training time.  The personality, themes, and rhythm of both programs are closely aligned and both selections still retain the flexibility in programming and opportunity to add or reduce load as needed. The important piece is to be pragmatic and choose what fits.  Here is a breakdown:

Long Version:  This version of your Race Build has a little more expansive programming.  You won’t see more sessions, just extended duration. Perhaps the best example is the mid-week training, when most athletes are challenged with life’s logistics.  The long version of the build will typically include swimming, cycling, and running sessions that extend to 90 minutes. There will often be an option for adding runs off the bike, that can extend the total duration of the season even further.

These builds are designed with the more advanced amateur in mind, so the swims have more total distance of intervals, and the duration of the weekend extends slightly longer.

If you are not overly compressed on time and you are experienced or have a stronger performance level, then this is the version for you.

Time-Starved:  We have specifically designed these race builds with the time-starved athlete in mind.  Even if you are a stronger and/or experienced athlete, these versions might be suitable if you have a lot of competing life priorities.

You can expect mid-week sessions to be focused around 50 to 70 minutes in duration — with options to add duration in some sessions.  The weekend sessions still offer opportunity to extend and go longer, especially in race specific preparation, but will offer greater flexibility and time-sensitive alternatives in life providing for compressed availability.

If you have a busy life, no matter your level, you can be confident that you will retain specificity and progression with this build, and arrive race ready within the context of life.