I’m currently 15 weeks into the 30 week Fink Intermediate Ironman training program for Ironman Texas (mid May). Before signing up for the Ironman we organized a family ski trip for a week in March. Turns out it’s just 8 weeks (week 22) before the big event and right at the critical build phase before the heavy training load in weeks 23 through 27. So my question is what to do: try and find a local gym for a couple of runs, bikes & swims (unlikely)? Forget even trying to set something up, enjoy the skiing then get right back into it when get back? Build up extra volume the weeks before, take a week off and enjoy the skiing then build back into the training volume over a couple of weeks?? Appreciate any thoughts one this one…
The OH and I have tried to ski all day and also train (3 week ski trip). It’s been a disaster and so this year we’ve cut back drastically on the skiing, just taking weekend trips here and there. I haven’t trained for an IM and don’t know what your goals are but I’d be in the “enjoy the ski trip” camp.
It’s only a week, just ski hard and have fun. If you get too antsy, snowshoe or skin up the mountain and then ski down…not enough, do it again.
I vote for snowshoeing. If you can find some untracked spot - make it a family trip and a workout by breaking trail for the family. If you rent the shoes for the week, you might just be able to do it right out the front door.
Also - enjoy the skiing! I hope you’re going somewhere great!
Hard skiing wears me out. I would spend the time having fun and taking a mental break from the IM training routine. But where are you going skiing? Some ski towns have good facilities with drop-in rates. For example, in Steamboat the downtown hot springs has a gym, treadmills and a lap pool.
A week off to have some fun will do you some good. I assume you’re not a pro so in the grand scheme of things it really doesn’t matter. Go have some fun. IM is not that important.
Enjoy the week. Use it to recharge mentally and have some fun, then come home focused and happy, ready to tackle your last big block before taper. One week doing something different wont make a huge difference if you plan around it accordingly.
Family Ski Trip takes priority. Ski with the family. If they ski hard, then you can as well. If they are younger and skiing blues etc., then ski those. Focus on family time and relaxing a bit.
If you want, work out a bit harder the week before, then take the ski week off and back at it. You won’t loose that much.
Have fun skiing with the family, be cognizant of others being reckless on the hill, and if you’re coming to Colorado pray to ullr for some pow days
.
Done this repeatedly over the last few years without any problems. From Oz and been skiing in Colorado for the first couple of weeks of Jan (when its nice and empty because you lot have gone back to work and we’re on summer holidays) and then raced in March (either NZ, Port Mac when it was in March, or Melbourne). Went alright as well getting 2xkona quals. As others have said, enjoy the skiing and time with the family (they normally put up with a lot of crap during IM training) and prioritise IM training a distant second. Typically the only training I would have done would be 50mins on the treadmill every day either before or after skiing when the family was asleep at a steady pace - running at Snowmass means slowing an extra 20-30secs/km to have the same RPE as sea level for me. We also ski hard so typically get first lift up and come down at the end of the day. Have found IM training is also great for ski legs!
I live in Colrado and love to ski, so I think about this often.
Becuase I ski with a pass, I’m usually content to leave the slopes by early afternoon. Skiing isn’t S/B/R, but it’s not nothing, so i have decided that an hour of skiing counts for a mile of running, that way if I have a 10 mile run on the calendar, I can ski for 5 hours, run 5 miles and call it square.
If the family is with me, I can usually sneak away for a 5-7 mile run and be back by the time they are finished cleaning up and no one is the wiser…
Setting up the bike on the trainer and doing a mellow spin is also nice after skiing. You could probably grab a spare hour once or twice in the gym on the lifecycle with the manhole cover sized saddle
Hope you get great snow!
I’m currently 15 weeks into the 30 week Fink Intermediate Ironman training program for Ironman Texas (mid May). Before signing up for the Ironman we organized a family ski trip for a week in March. Turns out it’s just 8 weeks (week 22) before the big event and right at the critical build phase before the heavy training load in weeks 23 through 27. So my question is what to do: try and find a local gym for a couple of runs, bikes & swims (unlikely)? Forget even trying to set something up, enjoy the skiing then get right back into it when get back? Build up extra volume the weeks before, take a week off and enjoy the skiing then build back into the training volume over a couple of weeks?? Appreciate any thoughts one this one…
two options…
- Contact WTC and figure out a way to transfer your IMTX entry to me (I actually do want to go). Then ski your heart out.
- Give me the accommodations, tickets, money for food, etc. Then train like a mad man. If you get injured see # 1 above.
Seriously though, a week off isn’t going to mean diddly if you’ve got a base - likely you’ll return to training with some much needed rest and vigor. Broken bones void the previous statement.
Enjoy the journey (including the “side roads”)
I just spent three days skiing in Colorado and my legs felt really strong afterward. I think it did me a lot of good.
Advice Qualification: I have never done an Iron-distance race, nor trained for one.
Having said that, I cannot imagine that there is no “wiggle room” in such plans. Something will always “disrupt” the perfect training plans, whether work, sickness, life in general, etc. I would prioritize your family vacation/fun over sticking to a plan. After all, we are talking about one week, and skiing is a great form of training. I would say the only thing you really need to worry about is injuring yourself - which will really impact your training.
Ciao
Free the heel for the week and the skiing will be a day full of body weight plus lunges.
A week off to have some fun will do you some good. I assume you’re not a pro so in the grand scheme of things it really doesn’t matter. Go have some fun. IM is not that important.
+1
The year before last I went skiing for two weeks during weeks 11-13 of the Fink program.
I swam at the local pool a couple of times a week after a day’s skiing, used their treadmills and exercise bikes, and even one day got my MTB out and went for a hour on the road (it was unfeasibly cold - it being a ride after the skiing day as the sun was going down).
I enjoyed the skiing, but I was knackered. I missed out on all the apres-ski eats/drinks. I spent time away from the family. And I did some training but not as much as I ought to have. All in all, I’d say the ski holiday and the training were compromised.
In future, I’d choose one to compromise and one to enjoy. If you’re really determined/worried though, I’d aim to swim a bit and get some XC skiing going in the evenings.
It’s not like you are being lazy for a week. Skiing is pretty decent work. You will be fine.
Great advice by all, first IM for me so really just aiming for a decent finishing time. I’ll take the vote to enjoy the week “off” skiing, will be a good mental break and will be refreshed and ready for the last training block.
I agree with others - just ski. Maybe, get in a couple of 30 - 45 minute runs during the week, when you can, and don’t worry about it.
I’m more concerned with how you use a word like, “critical” to describe your training!