Training in the Elements?
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iamtb13 posted 24 weeks ago.
Yep - even when the weather is bad with a couple of exceptions. Lightening and snow are usually show stoppers (running when snow is just starting or light snow is actually one of my favorite things to do = as long as not slippery). Really high winds when riding might call off an outdoor workout - otherwise, the show goes on. Actually if the weather is bad, I don't call it off, just move it all indoors on a treadmill or trainer.
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brittda posted 24 weeks ago.
Yup. You cannot pick your race conditoins. I will not ride in ice or snow, but still will in rain, wind, you get the idea. I will run in pretty much anything unless it is icy. This way I figure it cannot be worse on race day :)
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Ironmom posted 24 weeks ago.
It depends. If I have an early season race, I'll get out in the yucky spring weather. If my first race isn't until July, I'll probably stay indoors on the trainer. I don't go out in ice, snow, or thunderstorms, regardless. I like running in the rain and wind, biking not so much!
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
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jsk85 posted 24 weeks ago.
I will adjust my workouts during bad weather most of the time...it doesn't make sense to constantly expose yourself to those conditions. However, I make a point to get out there when the weather sucks a few times so it's not completely alien to me if it happens to be rainy/windy/etc on race day
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TriSooner posted 24 weeks ago.
I'm glad you brought this up. In Texas, were already hitting upper 90s with 60%-70% humidity. "Bad" weather means ice in the winter, ozone warnings (lungs are sore after a long ride), and 100+ heat index. About this time of year, my run pace has slowed waaaaaay down. I may be wrong, but I hope that training and riding in 90+ summer sun will make a 70 degree race day in Germany a bit easier.
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beads1985 posted 24 weeks ago.
I won't neccessarily skip a workout if the weather is bad but I will go to the gym and run on the treadmill rather that run in the pouring rain. If I am out already I'll just suck it up. I'll do the same with the bike. I'll use my bike on a trainer rather than take it out in the rain. I don't want to get my bike wet and nasty so I'll have to spend a lot of time cleaning up afterward.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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defro781 posted 24 weeks ago.
Good point TriSooner. So with summer coming and high heat and humidity, do you run at night or in the morning to avoid it, or do you go out at your normal training time and deal with it?
Brian
Writer - The Endurance News Network - http://www.endurancenews.net
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watrbg2 posted 24 weeks ago.
I won't train in ice or a thunderstorm but I will do my workout on the treadmill or trainer. I'll be out in just about any other weather.
One thing that no one pointed out is that bikes handle differently in the rain especially braking. Even though it's a pain to clean your bike, it's a good idea to ride in a rain a few times before your race so you know what to expect in case it rains.
I think riding into the wind is more psychological than physical... you just grind on and on and on, with no end in sight until you or the wind changes directions (spoken like someone who just rode in a 20 mph headwind...). At least with a hill, you get a break at the top. I guess the point is sometimes it's good to exercise your brain, too.
'In a world that tries its hardest to separate us from what matters, the Ironman helps us to reconnect with the pulse of our lives." - Scott Tinley
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mdittfurth posted 24 weeks ago.
I live in Texas also and their are lots of times the heat index is up there. But these are often race conditions too so I take it out there in the heat. But, when it is lightning I try to stay indoors and do my workout on the trainer. Generally, I have found that it is best (for me) to go out in all but dangerous conditions because it is all too easy for me to build in the mental habit of finding excuses for not getting out there. That nourished lack of resolve could hurt me on event day.
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jknoll posted 23 weeks ago.
I agree with "all but dangerous" conditions. I had a race last year that was on the tail end of a hurricaine. I was glad that I had logged some miles in the rain and wind. Plus, there is certainly a part of me that loves being "that guy" out there slogging throught virtually any weather that can't actually kill me.
J
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TryScott posted 23 weeks ago.
I went running when it was -34 F, and I regretted it. Hopefully I won't have the chance to do it again. Just in case I do, I now have a ski mask. People can live in that weather, so I should certainly be able to handle a 1 hour run. It's simply a matter of dressing for it.
I went on a ride "after the storm had passed" and then it started lightning, raining, and blowing really hard. I was scared enough to find a ditch and sit in it until things got a little better. My wife went out to look for me, but she gave up after a few minutes. She said the weather was too bad to drive in.
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azmojo804 posted 23 weeks ago.
I second or third all of the "all but dangerous" conditions for training. Luckily, we've had a TON of wind here in AZ lately, very uncommon. But gusts up to 40 mph the other day. I like riding into it...just like riding up a hill. Good training. My thoughts are that if I train in bad conditions, and if race day is at least moderate to good conditions, it'll help me out that much more.
I love the rain days...I overheat easy (sucks living in AZ then) but the rain keeps me cooler.
I used to train on every set training day - rain, wind, snow, or sun. Now I find myself either skipping training on a bad weather day or going to the gym instead.
Then on race day, if it's raining and 40 it sucks for me, but on the other hand I don't train as hard and don't want to get sick training outside in the rain and snow.
Question for everyone: Do you still train outside even when the weather isn't the best?
Brian
Writer - The Endurance News Network - http://www.endurancenews.net