Signed up for IMAZ (my 5th IM, so not a newbie), but the reality is that the Minnesota winters will (and already have) hamper my bike rides. I hate the trainer (Kurt, large flywheel) with a passion, but it appears to be my only hope. I’m still committed to getting outside on the bike, but even wonder if that’s the smartest way to train…as the pace is slower due to layers and having to ride more “alert”. The bike is my strongest event…so that is what makes this story sad.
Running outside in the cold is pretty refreshing, swimming is a non-issue.
I did all my bike training for IMNZ '04 on the Computrainer with the exception of a 7 day camp in the Caribbean when I did do about 320 miles that week- that was my “build” week.
It is possible, but I had help from my buddies here at the shop who would help me by switching off partners on the Computrainer during long rides.
that’s exactly why i won’t be signing up for any spring im’s while i still live in western ny! i think you can do all your bike training indoors (especially if you have a ct) and have a great race - but it’s a boredom issue. if you can put in 4-5hr rides on the trainer you’re golden. few of us can do that however. can you get away for at least one week somewhere warm to train?
You can do it. I did 6 hr. indoor trainer rides all the time back in Michigan and Connecticut. I’ll be damned if I ever do one of those out here in Hawaii, though.
But, the plus side to doing those is the absolute mental toughness you build up from it.
LMAO…I think I’m going to have that same face after my 1st 1 hour ride! ;o)
Very nice writing, thank you Tom. That’s renews my faith.
Hershel - yep. The goal is to venture “down south” for my 4/5/6th weekend for a training session. Location is TBD based upon weather. It was perhaps not the most strategic IM gameplan at the time of registering, but will be a nice spring break. Should have done IM Brasil instead…
don’t know if it is possible or not - but I’m doing the same thing (live in NE OH)
I have been hitting the trainer consistently for 5 weeks, but nothing over 2.25 hours straight. I have tried to get in double trainer rides in one day to move the total ride time to 3 - 4 hours.
This past week I was able to ride outside three days in arow. went 40, 40 and 60+ miles. Felt OK - but I do notice that my position in the saddle is a bit different on the trainer v. on the road. This caused some minor back discomfort. Was able to ride relatively well even with a few layers of clothes. That is encouraging.
I am trying real hard to make a long weekend trip to AZ in late Feb. and that will be uber bike time.
Like Foolish Tri Guy and everyone else in the northern part of the country - I have become almost intimate with my trainer. (I live in Cleveland)
Her name is Roxy and I have a very understanding wife - not at all jealous of Roxy and in fact she encourages me to spend as much time as possible with her in the third floor bedroom behind closed doors.
The long sessions on the trainer are painfully boring but it is good for mental toughness - I have spent 5 nights a week (ave 2 hrs) on her and on weekends up to 4.5 hours - tough to get past that amount of time - I am doing 6.5 this weekend regardless.
This past weekend I got outdoors for 67 miles and was extremely happy with my ride strength - hills were easier and my average speed was up - all based on working around heart rate and cadence on the trainer.
Plus it was just awesome to get out and ride on the road.
What I have found key is mixing up the sessions - I heard a great suggestion of sprinting or hill simulation during commercial breaks and fast spinning during regular programing.
I swear by the spinervals DVD’s - I noticed a new one has just been released three hours - “Tough Love”
Will let you know what it is like when I receive it!!!
The tough love is awesome. Ive been doing the 1 hour tempo spinerval-3 hour tough love followed by the 45 min hill climb, boring as hell but great workout. Gonna try back to back tough love soon, good thing is you can turn the music off and listen to mp3 or the radio. Im training for IMAZ too.