I am puzzled when it comes down to choosing the right training style and plan.  You might remember I don't have a great background in sports at all, I have a smokers background who used to hang out in the worse possible places for your health, up to 3.5 years when I decided to make a change for the better. 

As I consequence of my poor background I don't know how much training a body can undertake and at which point in time of the year one should increase or decrease their levels of training. This is a steep learning curve for me. 

I could join a gym or get myself one of those personal trainers or even virtual personal trainers but again that's not really me, I don't want to become dependent on times and days that suits others, this is something I want to control myself, Just call me selfish! Nevertheless I recognize the importance of having a swimming instructor and this is something I'm considering at the moment for next season. 

With the triathlon season well finished here in the UK I started thinking about my winter training, this is an area which I'm not familiar with so I started doing some research and found that most people maintain their bike, run and swim training by doing this just once a week in combination with some strength training. Others are concentrating on just the run section and place their bike in the garage for the winter period, shame I haven't found anyone who gives up all tree sports during the winter and just sits in their couch.

Personally, I have noticed that It has become more difficult to start cycle training during the evenings when it is dark after work, for now I have reduced this to only some bike training during the weekend. I haven't done any swimming anymore for some time now but kept on running at least 3 times a week. 

Last year when I decided to take on triathlon I started my 5-month BT Olympic training plan in the beginning of November, which looking back at it was too early. This year I'm planning to start my training plan in January but in the meantime I need to find the motivation to start swimming again in the pool before going to work with a combination of strength training which seems very important. The importance of strength training the abs, lower back, upper back and the core has become more and more apparent to me after my many visits to the physiotherapist lately and I want to learn from my mistakes and avoid at all cost any injuries.

In summary I will try (read: try) to swim at least once a week, run 3 times a week and cycle during the weekends in combination with 3 strength training sessions at home until I start my training plan in January.  

I'm not yet convinced about the winter training program followed by the men on the picture I might consider ...