training during the winter?
199
Member
579 days
krazyfranco posted 1 year ago.
Not to steal your thunder hateloveschool, but I've been wondering the same thing, specifically for the bike. I don't have the cash to get a trainer (college student), and was wondering if spinning would help me on the bike, or if i would be better off just lifting? any thoughts?
10
Member
868 days
Hans posted 1 year ago.
Not sure how cold this "cold" is, but during the winter here in Estonia, when temperatures sometimes drop till 20 C below 0, the only thing that changes for me is the bike, i replace it with spinning and XC skiing. No bad weather, just wrong clothing, you know ;)
30
Member
823 days
benzinobrown posted 1 year ago.
As a student in Boston, I endure some pretty harsh winters. I do have a trainer and at $150-200 its a great investment that lets you stay on the bike when there is 2 feet of snow on the ground. I continue to run as long as the sidewalks are shoveled then i just bite the bullet and become friends with the treadmill. I find that intervall training on the treadmill helps beat the boredom. I also spend a lot more time in the pool. Seriously consider getting a trainer or even a used one to save some cash.
806
Member
837 days
cayman posted 1 year ago.
Keep training outdoors, cold, wind, snow, sleet, wind, slush is just something we northeners have to deal with. The only thing changing for running should be the amount of layers you have on going out the door, see link
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/tips_archives/coldweather.html
Biking shouldn't be much different and if you have access to an mtb it makes the winter rides a little easier, at least for me... you won't be blown around as much. You should also take it inside for wet, snowy or ice conditions. Cold on a bike is something different and everyone has their tolerances, mines about 30*F and I'll hit the trainer. Since you don't have a trainer, spinning classes will help maintain endurance, but you should also use the gyms stationary bikes and just tough out the boredom.
Once you get used to it training in the winter is great.
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
3354
Member
1412 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
Blah! Talking about indoor / winter training already! ARG!!!
Get good cold weather gear - I run outside all winter long. Plus reflective gear - cuz running in the dark alot.
Use the trainer - bunch of Spinervals DVDs
Cross train - X-country skiing etc.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
1769
Member
1406 days
brittda posted 1 year ago.
I trained through winters in college in Fairbanks and Anchorage by just bundeling up and continueing to run outside. Back then I was just running and swimming. You CAN get studded tires for a Mtn bike if you have the money to spend on it, or put your bike on a trainer and away you go. I do that even now here in Seattle when its too icy out. Thankfully It never gets THAT bad here and I only end up running in long tights a total of 2 weeks usually (with the exception of this last winter). 40 degrees is my shorts cut off.
1841
Member
1090 days
55
Member
585 days
spazz posted 1 year ago.
krazyfranco, one of the many benefits of global warming is that winters are now warmer, st. louis had very mild winter last year, i recall people playing golf on new years day, there was only about two months where you couldnt ride
21
Member
558 days
silentnox posted 1 year ago.
I dont know about you guys but I enjoy my $250 indoor trainer and have been guilty of using it even during summer a time or two. I just pop in a movie set the HRM to beep if my HR goes under what ever level im shooting for and peddle away. No traffic, no flats, no bullshit. If your having a rough day just step off. There is no time wasted from travel etc.
On the other hand im afraid of running in the winter. I can just see myself running around and around on the indoor track at the university. Snoozer.
199
Member
579 days
krazyfranco posted 1 year ago.
I played golf on December 26th Spazz, it was nice for a while :)
there were a few weeks, though, when it did get pretty cold.
2950
Member
1368 days
Anton posted 1 year ago.
Golf! Golf! There's no golf at trifuel...unless it's speed golf or full contact. ;)
There is absolutely no reason to stop training outside in the winter months. Like Hans,RV and many others have said...good clothes, a spin class, nordic skiing, BUG (Bundle Up and Go) rides on the bike.Stop running outside in the winter? Never heard of such a thing...
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
771
Member
1393 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
Dude I would love to see some full contact golf that would be great...
Just pick up a trainer. You don't have to get the 300 dollar one, just about all trainers do the job. I used mine all the way training through a cold winter and doing IMAZ. It's all about how bad you want it.
3354
Member
1412 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
Jstyle;74825 wrote:
It's all about how bad you want it.
Yes - That sums it up!
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
78
Member
711 days
hateloveschool posted 1 year ago.
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I might be asking some kind parents for a fairly expensive Christmas present this year. ;)
34
Member
608 days
m2tall2 posted 1 year ago.
I would hope to think that cold isn't the real issue and it's what comes with the cold that presents a problem to outdoor training: wet, slippery, slushy, icy roads and sidewalks that are not cleared well if at all. Also in most of Massachusetts, there is the issue of NARROW roads. Once snow is on the ground you're lucky if there's room for two cars on a two way street. Forget trying to run or cycle along with the cars.
Not that I have any good suggestions. Just helping to make it clear that it's the safety issues that come with cold. Not the actual cold.
During the school year, I live in Northern Indiana. Two things which make winter in northern Indiana not good conditions to train in. 1. wind. 2. cold. Essentially, the weather up here is miserable. My school has a gym so I'll be able to use the equipment there, but I was wondering how most triathletes deal with the winter weather if they live in colder areas?
Last year, I was able to keep running outside until November, but when December swung around, I was kept indoors until April. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do this winter. I know I'll be a familiar face at the gym, but I hate tread mills. Any suggestions on how to survive the winter from those who live in colder areas? Does your training change at all? What do you focus on more during this time?