I’m going in to my second season of triathlon, and I’m concerned about my training (or lack thereof!) I’m in New York City, and it’s snowing and freezing out. I definitely don’t run, cycle or swim as much as I did over the summer. I figured if I trained in the winter, I’d start this season off in shape, and have a leg up on last season. But it’s been rough out there since the bitter cold of New Years Eve’s Midnight Run! The weather has really kinda sucked. Not to mention longer hours at work for less money than last year, coming home when it’s been dark for a few hours, I just don’t have the motivation to strap on all the gear and go out there and run, or bike. I still manage the pool twice a week, but I can tell that the other two disciplines are fading fast. Any advice on beating the winter doldrums? Do other cold-weather based triathletes have this problem?
I signed up for the Miami International Triathlon March 15th as some sort of motivation to get my butt in gear. Was this a foolish mistake? It’s less than 55 days away and I’m not sure I can even finish a 10K run, lest after a swim and bike.
I’m going in to my second season of triathlon, and I’m concerned about my training (or lack thereof!) I’m in New York City, and it’s snowing and freezing out. I definitely don’t run, cycle or swim as much as I did over the summer. I figured if I trained in the winter, I’d start this season off in shape, and have a leg up on last season. But it’s been rough out there since the bitter cold of New Years Eve’s Midnight Run! The weather has really kinda sucked. Not to mention longer hours at work for less money than last year, coming home when it’s been dark for a few hours, I just don’t have the motivation to strap on all the gear and go out there and run, or bike. I still manage the pool twice a week, but I can tell that the other two disciplines are fading fast. Any advice on beating the winter doldrums? Do other cold-weather based triathletes have this problem?
I signed up for the Miami International Triathlon March 15th as some sort of motivation to get my butt in gear. Was this a foolish mistake? It’s less than 55 days away and I’m not sure I can even finish a 10K run, lest after a swim and bike.
Help!
Layers, with reflective on top. iPod or suitable alternative, go run. Early morning runs are the best!
Of course, it was college the last time I did an early morning run…
being in NYC is a bigger problem than the weather, IMHO.
can you integrate any training into your daily routines? run to/from work? bike to/from work? (lots of advice on this on transalt.org, although i admit that it’s hard to make that really ‘training’.
and what’ s this ‘all the gear’ you’re strapping on for your run?
running should be the easiest. if you’re loading yourself down with HRM, GPS, etc., yeah, it’s going to be harder to get out the door.
oh, you could also look for some sort of running group, maybe even give you the option of running in central or prospect park at night, which you might not want to do all by your lonesome.
-charles
I agree road biking on icy streets in the dark is probably a bad idea.
Get a bike trainer and some DVD’s. The Spinervals videos are pretty good interval workouts and definitely make the time go by better than staring at the wall.
OR… join a gym. Personally, I’d rather run in any weather than on a treadmill but some people love their treadmills and spin classes.
OR… suck it up princess and get outside.
I run trails in the local park with a headlamp in the winter since it’s dark when I get home. For biking I either ride the trails on my mt. bike with a light or ride the trainer.
For headlamps, I recommend the Black Diamond Spot. Smart Wool makes some good socks. I’ve also heard good things about neoprene socks.
Can I ask a question? I don’t mean to pick you out or offend, but I see this all the time. Why would you, if you live in a winter-bound kind of place like NYC, pick a race to do in March? To me it just does not make sense.
You’re all right, I am whining. I guess I just need a little kick in the a$$ once in a while. Better question- It’s snowing and 28 degrees out- whats the ideal apparel choice? I mean, do real men wear tights? Which brands? Socks under the tights? Shorts? How many shirts, wicking? what type of jacket?
I’ll stop being a princess. But is being a princess once in a while really so bad?
I wasn’t planning on necessarily being competitive, but I thought it would put me back into my training mindset. You know, the whole carrot and stick thing.
You’re all right, I am whining. I guess I just need a little kick in the a$$ once in a while. Better question- It’s snowing and 28 degrees out- whats the ideal apparel choice? I mean, do real men wear tights? Which brands? Socks under the tights? Shorts? How many shirts, wicking? what type of jacket?
I’ll stop being a princess. But is being a princess once in a while really so bad?
I wear baggier running pants. The kind without liners down to about 25 degrees. Under that I put on long johns underneath, especially if it’s windy. Or switch to a pair with liners. I just think they are very comfortable, much better than tights. Screw wicking shirts, dude, I wear cotton all year round and I’m still alive. People have been doing it for years. down to 25 it’s a t-shirt underneath a nice wind proof jacket, below 25 I wear a long sleeve T, below 5 or so I’ll layer up more accordingly. If it’s raining though you have to layer up for one category warmer because that makes you colder even if it is 35.
Knit gloves, Knit hat, works like a charm every time. I don’t wear the gloves or hat above 30, but YMMV.
Can I ask a question? I don’t mean to pick you out or offend, but I see this all the time. Why would you, if you live in a winter-bound kind of place like NYC, pick a race to do in March? To me it just does not make sense.
HEY HEY HEY!!! I resemble this comment! This will be my first year missing the O’side 1/2 in San Diego in 3 years. It is usually the first time I get to ride my tri bike outside or put on a wetsuit all year and I am at a HUGE disadvantage to all the racers from CA, AZ, etc… but, I love the idea of a “spring break” type race. Get away from the cold, fire up the motivation that is generally flagging after 3+ months of dark runs and trainer workouts and work on a base tan. I just try to set my expectations accordingly.
If it weren’t economically impractical, I’d be doing St. Croix this year for the same reasons.
I’m outside Chicago but have Florida blood so winter is incredibly hard on me. Luckily I’m one of those sick people that likes spending time on my trainer and I suck it up and get on the treadmill. If all the gear needed for doing stuff outdoors is just too much then get your ass on a trainer and on a treadmill and get some swimming in. I’d much rather be inside and warm than outside and cold (well, if I had my choice I’d be outside and warm but that’s not an option these days).
This will be my first year missing the O’side 1/2 in San Diego in 3 years. It is usually the first time I get to ride my tri bike outside or put on a wetsuit all year and I am at a HUGE disadvantage to all the racers from CA, AZ, etc… but, I love the idea of a “spring break” type race. Get away from the cold, fire up the motivation that is generally flagging after 3+ months of dark runs and trainer workouts and work on a base tan. I just try to set my expectations accordingly.