Does racing in the winter i.e. cyclocross, offorad run races, track cycling ruin your main season ? Do you know of a way to intelligently encorporate it without destabilising it ?
We still have some road running races through the winter in my area, usually run rain or shine. The big season “ender” is a strong 5-miler that brings out all the fast people in mid December. There has been snow and ice on the ground for that one.
Not sure what we have locally for cyclocross or mountain series. I know they used to do one that started in October and ended in December, but I haven’t done any road racing/mountain racing in years so I’m not sure if that is around anymore.
I race Cross and do some ultra’s during the off season. I believe it helps me. I wouldn’t hit a lick in the fall/winter if I didn’t. To me it is just a fun way to stay in shape without the SBR all the time.
i was planning to race CX this year and wondered the samething. I want to start Tri season feeling like I really want to race. The winter always gets me ready. I am planning to do CX racing but limit the number of races and try to just “do” the races without the pressure I usually put on myself to give it everything possible.
That is the approach that works for me. I love to race bicycles and run in the woods so race hard but don’t put much thought into how I do. No goals really other than to go out, go hard and have fun.
The local running club here - Pikes Peak Road Runners - has events all winter. The first race starts on January 1. There is a 4 races series that starts in mid January and has progressively longer races every other week. Most of these races are fairly well attended even when the weather is nasty, although one race was cancelled last winter because of a blizzard and local authorities didn’t want people traveling. Running on snow and/or ice is quite challenging!
There was a winter triathlon a few years ago that drew a fair number as well, but it has folded for some reason. It was a 3 event race, but there were no transitions. Every event was started at a specific time. Pool swim, about an wait hour before the bike, then about a half hour wait before the run. This gave people the opportunity to change clothes for the outside conditions.
I feel like a few track cycling races this winter (if only to keep the leg motor speed action in use) but I wonder if I did it (say once every couple of weeks) it would affect my main season as this isn’t exactly periodisation in it’s intended sense !!!
This is my first season of cyclocross, but my coach is thrilled that I am doing it.
I’m doing CX races this year (only goes until December) and then a few running races and trail races in the early months of next year. I really wish there were more winter races. I love racing and hate the lull in what are usually the dullest months for me anyway.
-Andrew
I get into XC Skiing pretty in the Winter. Racing and Teaching. It is a fantastic off (triathlon) season activity.
DB
yeah I do this one triathlon every december, the tinsel triathlon. I always like to have at least one off-season race that I can just chill at, i.e. not worry about, just do it for fun (I always go balls to the wall however). It keeps me motivated. I’ve decided that last year my outfit wasn’t ridiculous enough, so this year I plan to race in a speedo, a santa hat, santa beard, and some cheap sunglasses. How do I keep from ruining my season? Easy. Just don’t taper at all for the race. I wanna try a cyclocross race too. I remember reading an interview about todd wells (represented usa at mtb olympics in 04) he said in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest type of race, it goes xc mtb race, short track, cyclocross. So if todd wells thinks it’s tough, of course I’ve gotta try it.
Down here, December-early March is prime running season. Since I usually end up doing a rum emphasis over the winter anyways, I’ll do some run racing on weekends to keep my training honest.
I’m doing CX races this year (only goes until December) and then a few running races and trail races in the early months of next year.
-Andrew
Hey I’m doing some of those races. Is that you that came 3/42 in the first race in M4? If so, let me be the first to say…SANDBAGGER! 
I don’t see the problem at all. Periodization does not necessarily have to follow the model of base, build, taper and then race. Even if you were following such a protocol, a few races aren’t going to mess with that so long as you didn’t taper for them and that you could largely maintain your training volume with the races. In my opinion, races are a great thing over the winter particularly if a person can race without the expectations that surround racing season. It’s a great way to keep connected and to get in some hard sessions. Sport’s a hobby after all, might as well have some fun over the winter.
Longer Ocean swim races. I like using this time to build my swim base so that swim training is not as big an issue during the tri season.
Yeah that was me. Freak occurence I think. It’s only the 3rd time I’ve ever tried cross. I got to do 2 races last year and while I was terrible, I absolutely loved it.
I’ve been doing distance stuff all year and felt horribly out of power shape for that race. It was a damn miracle I pulled 3rd. My turning skills have gotten so bad I was embarrassed to be on the course. I was like a Dodge Viper out there, slow and sloppy through the turns and then just trying to make up for it in the straights.
If I can get my turning to where it’s not a complete debacle I might move up to M3 next year. How do you get moved up? Is it like crit style racing where you don’t get a choice, they just move you up?
The great thing about Florida; Train and race virtually year round. I have a race the 2nd week of Dec.
The collegiate cycling season starts mid february, and in the midwest, that usually means its pretty brutal weather wise. Im usually in pretty lousy shape when I start racing, but it gets me into race shape pretty fast.
swim races here too. Pools though, not the ocean!
CROSS!!! And some trail running races. We have a fantastic bunch of trail races over the whole year here, but a bunch of them are in the spring.
clm