Sorry that this is about training and not something more directly related to triathlon like boobs. Last week, weather forced me to do a 3.5 hour indoor computrainer session. I did in erego mode and I found the steady riding tobe quite challenging to muscular endurance.
I also found that not having to drive to a biking location and the ability to be near my wife and son was great.
Question: With IMFL 3 weeks out, I need to do a 5 hour road ride this Saturday. I am thinking about doing another 3 to 3.5 hour CT session instead. Is this a mistake? Should I stay out on the road? If so why?
I’m not a coach, but was faced with the same weather problems when I was preparing for IMF. I put my bike in front of the computer and watched IMH on Ironmanlive.com and ended up with a decent 5+ hour ride. Of course this year I’ll be watching it with a beer in my hand instead of a waterbottle
Weather permitting, I’d get out on the road and ride. The winds at IMFL can be brutal and you will need to be prepared for that. It could also rain or get cold. So, the road riding might allow you to work with your nutrition plan a little better than doing it on a spinner in ideal conditions.
But, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, I’d try to stay on that spinner for as close to 5 hours as you can.
I’ve done that before where my last long ride before IMFL was a six-hour stint on the trainer due to crappy weather conditions. What helped me the most by doing this was that I was in the same position and using the same muscle groups the whole time, which simulated what it was going to be like on race day. I also did a 30-minute brick run afterwards to see how the legs would respond after being in the same position on the bike for that long.
To replicate race conditions, do 1.25 hours out, 1.25 back to the car on flat terrain. Then refuel, refill, and do the same 1.25 out/back. This ensures wind will be for and against. It is also so mundane that IMF will be a welcome respite.
