I have several business trips and vacations lined up in the next couple of months. One trip in particular will be during one of two “Peak Week” training blocks. I can run and swim but no chance of biking at all.
How do you manage around these interruptions with your training? Pack in the workouts before/after? Chalk it up to “much needed rest”? Fret and worry about losing fitness or the edge?
The easiest method I have found is to schedule a big bike week, with reduced swim/run, then big swim/run week during the travel period. This works fine for a single week, and may even improve fitness in each sport. (At least that is what I tell myself.) Of course, this is not for the fragile, easily injured people. (I will go from 30 miles a week, to 60 or more, in one step. I know some people may not be able to take that.)
Otherwise, find a gym with spin bikes or rent a bike. Take your pedals and shoes, and make sure you know how to transfer your position to a new bike. Last, consider using a stair climber at a gym for leg strength training if there is no cycling solution available.
Paul
I just recently got back from a long-scheduled 2 week family vacation to Europe - and I’m doing IMLP in 3+ weeks. Needless to say, the timing wasn’t great. Like Paul said, I did a huge bike week immediately before the trip and then ran and swam a fair amount while I was away. My total training volume decreased a lot and I’m sure I lost some valuable preparation, but I don’t feel like I lost too much fitness. After however many months of constant intense training, it was physically and mentally refreshing to get away. I came back and jumped right back into it with a high volume week.
I agree with Paul Dunn…bike till you drop before you leave home. While on business travel duuring Ironman training, I get up early and run every morning 60-90 minutes. I try to reduce my portions when I eat cause the food is usually a lot higher in sat fat than what I eat at home. I also don’t follow a “plan” (not like I do at home). With lack of sleep, meetings and travel, I never know how I will feel on a given day, so if I feel good the hammer goes down. Also it there is a weight room, I do as many leg weights are possible to work my cycling muscles.
Dev