I am guessing it is fairly common for people to train through the winter in northern areas for IMAZ.
For those who have done it, were the 5 hour trainer rides as bad as I imagine them being?
Do you feel like you were able to train in a way that gave you a good race or looking back do you wish you had waited for a later season IM?
Did the heat difference have a drastic effect on your race?
Any other anecdotes and info welcome.
Been there done that twice. During my IM training I got about 2 rides outside during that time. Yes, the 5 hours rides on my computrainer were mind numbing to say the least. The first one isn’t too bad, but the fun wears off in a hurry. The only reason I did IMAZ 2x was it was closer plus I have family there. If I was do one again, it would be later in the summer so that I could do more running/riding outside. Yes the heat did effect my race both times. Maybe lock yourself in a room and ride for 5 hours without ventilation, that might help to acclimate to it. After all of that it was a great time and worth it, good luck!
Ditto what RACERX said. I did it this year with only a handful of rides outside (Oregon). Several 5-6 hr trainer rides in the garage was numbing, but doable. I wore extra clothing to assimilate the heat. I had an amazing experience in AZ, but I will select my next IM later in the year so I can get outside and ride.
I didn’t find it too bad. It helps to have a nice setup on the CT or whatever you use and to structure those rides properly, and also it REALLY helps to have someone to do those rides with. When we did IM-AZ I had a good race other than some knee pain on the run (which wasn’t new) while my wife had a pretty fantastic race once she got out of T1! We had 0 rides outside before we got down there for the race.
I did it this past year, and didn’t find it that bad. I never rode more than 3.5hrs or so on the trainer, but several times rode outdoors for 3-4 hrs, then came inside to the trainer for the remaining 2-3hrs. As others mentioned, riding with others is key; I did most riding with our collegiate cycling team. I also had one weekend trip planned to go south for a key 110+mile ride.
THe key for the trainer for me was TIVO, movies and radio.
good luck,
tom
One other thing, go buy the last 10 years of IM and tour de france dvd’s, set up the tv and try and keep up…
I got ready for IM New Zealand (April 2004) almost entirely indoors and went 11:07: something. I could have prepared better had it not been for the indoor training, but it was what it was and the race was really nice.
Training through the off season is good but I really needed that very clear focus of a set goal hanging out there to stay motivated. I also went on a 10 day trainng camp to a tropical island to do some outdoor training to maintain what little sanity I hang on to.
Here is something I wrote about the experience:
I plan to do the 5 hours on a spin bike:
7:00 - 8:00am Alone
8:00 - 9:00am Spin Class
9:00 - 9:15am - Alone
9:15 - 10:45 - Roadie Spin Class
10:45 - noon - Alone
This is my plan. Last year I did basically that in my training for Placid until I was able to get outside in April.
With spin classes in between it breaks up the monotony of being alone.
My first rides outside were a little funky, but not particularly slow or tiring.
I raced IM South Africa in 2006…
Granted, Oregon isn’t THAT cold, but it’s totally doable.
I did MANY of my long rides outside (get good clothes and consider riding the CCX bike if there is a risk of slick conditions). The short, intense stuff was reserved for the trainer (Tacx) as I didn’t want to risk strains from explosive work in cold conditions.
Cheers,
Puskas
I don’t have this problem as much as some of you because I live further south, I have done IMAZ 2 times and the second winter I trained for it, we got a bunch of snow that just wouldn’t melt. I agree that if you are going to do long indoor rides, find a few people to do it with, that makes it so much better. Also, I suggest the Spinervals Hardcore 100 DVD set, its 5.5 hours and pretty good as a substitute for an outdoor ride.
Very cool, that was one of my favorites. Thanks for the read.