Your first Half Distance Triathlon does not need to begin with high mileage or advanced workouts. This 36-week Beginner Half Distance Triathlon training plan gives you a 12-week foundation before moving into 24 weeks of race-specific preparation for Davao, Philippines.
The current Davao course begins with a 1.9 km ocean swim, followed by a 90 km three-lap bike course and a 21.1 km run. The latest official race guide lists approximately 239 meters of bike elevation gain. The course is relatively flat and fast, but tropical heat, humidity, open-water conditions, and the cumulative demands of 113 km make pacing and fueling important even for a first-time athlete.
BUILD CONFIDENCE FIRST
The opening 12 weeks focus on aerobic endurance, strength, and swim technique. No minimum mileage is required. Run/jog and bike sessions use RPE and heart rate so you can learn how sustainable effort feels before harder work is introduced.
PREPARE FOR THE RACE
The 24-week Half Distance Triathlon phase starts at about 7 hours per week and gradually builds toward approximately 12 hours. Endurance work develops first, followed by tempo training, open-water swimming, and progressive brick sessions that teach you to move from bike to run with control.
Instructional swim videos help improve technique and efficiency, while beginner-specific strength sessions include detailed demonstrations so you can train with better form and less guesswork. The progression is designed to keep the workload understandable and manageable as your fitness develops.
Davao’s fast bike course can tempt new athletes to ride too hard early. Structured RPE and heart-rate work helps you stay within an effort you can sustain, while brick training prepares you for the challenge of running well after 90 km on the bike.
Race planning tools are included. The Race Predictor Calculator helps estimate potential performance, the Race Pace Strategy Calculator helps organize your swim, bike, and run execution, and the Triathlon Fueling Calculator helps you build a fueling plan for warm, humid conditions. Personalized email coach support is also included whenever questions come up.
Choose this 36-week Beginner plan when you want a clear, progressive path from foundation training to Davao race readiness without unnecessary complexity.
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Every level. Every Training Plan. One simple price: just $6 a week—and the plan is yours to keep and reuse forever. Welcome to the Andiamo²™ family, where your goals, lifestyle, and personal best come first. Based in Austin, Texas, we offer in-person and remote triathlon coaching plus structured training plans that give every workout a clear purpose. Whether you’re preparing for your first race or your next breakthrough, you’ll have experienced guidance every step of the way.