General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Winter conditions/Training Rss Feed  
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2004-09-01 1:33 PM

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Regular
91
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Central Minnesota
Subject: Winter conditions/Training
Probably should have posted this here instead of Introduce Yourself. I'm a 28yo MinnesOtan, decided to finally start training for a triathlon. I'm sure there are a bunch of others who live in colder climates. My question is how do you training during Nov-Feb, indoors only, in- and outdoors? Running outdoors is possible, but what about biking, ice cleats? Is indoor biking comparable to outdoor, or is there some type of conversion/fudge factor one must assume? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Corey


2004-09-01 1:57 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Got Wahoo?
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San Antonio
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
I am SOOOOOOO glad I live in Texas and our winter last about 15 minutes....
2004-09-01 2:08 PM
in reply to: #56345

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Expert
1279
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Northern VA
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training

Why do I always have to follow you Tom???  Don't you have work to do?

Corey, you're luck if your winters only last from Nov-Feb.  Here in Michigan they last from Nov 1 until the end of May (mid June this summer).  I do the treadmill thing at the gym (get a lot of tv time in) and ride the spinning bikes for bike simulation. I think they are a lot closer to the real thing than the LifeCycle type bikes although they don't have all the cool electronics.  I also do more weight lifting and cross-training (stair-stepper,elliptical, etc) in the winter.

The thought of running outside in sub-zero weather usually keeps me inside, but if I do get my frozen a$$ outside, once I've gotten 10-15 min into the run its not too bad.  Plus, its really cool after you've gone for a while to take off the gore-tex hat and run with smoke streaming of your head .

Good luck.  Thanks for making me think of how crappy its gonna be in another 2 months!

Gary



Edited by glf33 2004-09-01 2:09 PM
2004-09-01 2:13 PM
in reply to: #56359

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Got Wahoo?
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San Antonio
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training

I am working on the phone....

I will be thinking of you, Garyellen, as I am running in shorts and short sleeves in January....

2004-09-01 2:38 PM
in reply to: #56336

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molto veloce mama
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Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
hey. mn here too. where in northern mn are you? grew up in duluth. miss it up there.

someone asked a similar question a while back. here's the thread:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

if the winter isn't too harsh, you can probably still bike up there. i commuted in duluth on a bike year round. if there's a lot of snow - well, ski! the only problem area is usually swimming, which you can't do outdoors. you could build your pain tolerance by doing what many folks up there do - sauna, then cool off in the snow bank!
2004-09-01 2:45 PM
in reply to: #56363

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Expert
1279
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Northern VA
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training

I would prefer it, if you don't think of me, no matter WHAT you're wearing

I told ya I grew up in Dallas. I remember some pretty cold days there. (of course they were usually followed by some pretty nice days)>



2004-09-01 2:58 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Master
1902
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Berkeley, CA
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
Ahhh, California!!

Regardless, it gets dark really quickly, so I turn to my bike trainer during winter. If you have the option, it is MUCH better than an indoor bicycle as an option.

D
2004-09-01 3:20 PM
in reply to: #56406

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Got Wahoo?
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San Antonio
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training

Not to worry, Garyellen, I won't think of you with clothes on at all....

San Antonio is 300 miles south of big D.  It snowed here once....

2004-09-01 3:20 PM
in reply to: #56406

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Got Wahoo?
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San Antonio
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training

Not to worry, Garyellen, I won't think of you with clothes on at all....

San Antonio is 300 miles south of big D.  It snowed here once....

2004-09-01 3:29 PM
in reply to: #56422

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Expert
1279
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Northern VA
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
WOW - it actually gets dark in California????
2004-09-01 3:30 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Champion
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Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
This will be my first winter in "The snowiest city in the continental US". I"m planning on running year round (there's even a winter race series), using the treadmill when needed, spinning and possibly buying a trainer for biking and using the pool at the Y as always.

Strength training will be replaced with shoveling.


2004-09-01 3:37 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Master
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Harvard, Illinois
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
I run when I can outdoors but the best bike workout I have ever had was in a spinning class. It also helped with my overall endurance.

Mike
2004-09-01 3:40 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Regular
91
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Central Minnesota
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
Autumn. I live in Brainerd, my bro lives in Duluth, nice area too.
D-Went to school at UC Berkeley, wish I had started training while living in Oakland.
Glf33-Our winters are most likey very similar.
Several of you have mentioned a "bike trainer", what is it?

Edited by mneyedoc 2004-09-01 3:47 PM
2004-09-01 3:43 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Regular
91
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Central Minnesota
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
Autumn, thanks for the thread, it answered my "bike trainer" question.

Edited by mneyedoc 2004-09-01 3:47 PM
2004-09-01 4:18 PM
in reply to: #56453

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Master
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Berkeley, CA
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
har, har.

i know it SEEMS like all the laws of nature are suspended out in Arnold-ville, but not so!

D
2004-09-01 4:20 PM
in reply to: #56464

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Master
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Berkeley, CA
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
mneyedoc - 2004-09-01 11:40 AM

D-Went to school at UC Berkeley,


Me too! Somehow never managed to leave Bezerkely behind me.



2004-09-01 4:28 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Expert
1180
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Iowa
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
I train outdoors all year 'round except on the bike. Last year I used a stationery bike at the gym, this year I'll use a trainer. I do like treadmill training in the winter because it allows me to do rock-solid-accurate heart rate training for a prolonged period of time. There's nothing like it.
2004-09-01 4:40 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Master
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
Colorado winter usually starts in November (but it snowed in June once). So its ski, ski, ski. Now that I've dropped some poundage I plan on hitting the slopes at least twice a month. I'm not downhilling it though, I'm going to do cross country skiing. That should keep the old legs in shape. Also planning on wearing out the treadmill and the pool.I will still do run races on trails this winter.  I'm going to sneak in some OW swims in the wetsuit in October and May. Spin class will have to do for the biking but we have some nice long streaks of no snow on the ground so I'll take the bike out now. That reminds me I need to get some winter work out clothes.! Yikes. The cost ugghhhh. Oh well, if I'm going to kick butt in my Oly next year I'm going to have to train like crazy this winter.
2004-09-01 4:46 PM
in reply to: #56510

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Pro
5153
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Helena, MT
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
Ovetta. I loooove XC skiing. My boyfriend won a night at a ski-in cabin for us this winter! I definitely plan on XC skiing just about every weekend! But, the problem is what to do the rest of the week. I need to move back to the middle of the mountains....
2004-09-01 6:52 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Extreme Veteran
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Manitoba, Canada
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
We are already looking to winter training eh?

Since we had wet snow and frost in July - it really feels like we never really left it here (Canadian Prairies). I skipped the biking in the snow last year, but learned to love running in the cold (as in -35C). Definitely invest in a pair of ice grippers to slip over your runners, and lots of technical clothes though. Actually, winter running is almost a whole other sport I think ...
2004-09-01 8:42 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Master
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Kingston Ontario
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training

Yep, most Canadian winters call for drastic training changes!  I ride the bike trainer from November to April.  I try to run outside if the terrain isn't too icy or covered with deep snow.  I use the treadmill when it is absolutely freezing out

Jen



2004-09-01 8:57 PM
in reply to: #56336

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Expert
1065
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Montreal
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
I plan on playing lots of badminton, maybe some basketball to keep up aerobic level as well as running in the cold and frosty Montreal mornings. Maybe I am not dedicated enough to Tri's but I want to have some fun outside of the pool and bike.

Every year the bike courriers up here have bicycle races in February on the ice. They remove their tires, put screws through them, kevlar strips are added to the inside of the tires then the tires are put back on the bikes and inflated for racing. The races are quite exciting - and of course rip the ice apart. It might be something to try


2004-09-01 9:15 PM
in reply to: #56621

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Extreme Veteran
443
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Manitoba, Canada
Subject: RE: Winter conditions/Training
Wow, it's really amazing how innovative athletes get to make the winter bearable - the bike race on ice would great fun ... to watch
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