Winter ,long rides and work from 8-5?

We're just coming out the dark here in New Zealand. Some things I did:

- long rides on the weekend rather than week

- commute to and from work (going to long way)

- some riding in the dark (not real long ones tho)

- more running than riding

- reduced long ride volume to max 3 - 3.5 hours (can't keep that peak volume all year round)

- do less training - as someone said to me "you have to lose some fitness before you can get it back"

Gerrard

My .02

Nov. 2009 is a loooooong way off.  You want to keep up some fitness but (IMHO only) you don't need to start "training" until 20-24 weeks ahead.  couple hours riding during the week and a few hours on the weekends are plenty.

IM training is a long slog, even if you are only following a 20-24 week plan

I did one long ride outside most weekends in MA over the winter depending on the weather and my family's schedule. More because I like riding than because I had a July IM.

I agree with Chris you can't be on and training for IMAZ for over a year. Sure it can be your goal but there is a big difference.

Work on your weakness. Go through traditional periodization training plan that has you doing different type training through the months and year in order to peak for IMAZ. It isn't always about going long.

During the week, you ride the trainer; on the weekend, you get outside...even if it's only 20 degrees .

Your IM is over a year away, your rides won't be too long through the winter anyway.

Ok, let me make it a bit more clear, i have other races throughout the year that i want to do, but every single day of training inside of me will be thinking of IMAZ.For example i want to do well at California 70.3 , but it does not mean that i wil be peaking by then for IMAZ. In terms of what people are saying  about the weather that's not an issue with me in SoCal, the only thing is a source of natural light.Anyhow , i appriciate everyone's input!

Thanks

Word.

I trained for IMAZ last April and was up and riding at 5 am.  Got a two hour ride in a few times a week and was at work by 8 or 8:30