Winter training tips for "the north country" - Triathlon Week

Diantha · 11-03-2005, 01:16 AM

:) I am brand new to this site and aspire to complete a triathlon by age 40 (I am 38...and 1/2!) Up until now I have strictly been an endurance runner. I have completed 7 full marathons (including BOSTON!) and 8 half marathons (as well as smaller local races). I love running but also am always searching for that next challenge. As all of you triathletes I enjoy "pushing the envelope" to see what else I can do. I guess I am just looking for training advice. I already swim and cycle as cross training for my running but am wondering what to do when winter sets in on my frigid...icy area I call home! I guess I need a plan that can incorporate my running (I am training for the Disney marathon in January right now)...Also, I am always seeking nutrition advice. I am a "raw vegan" as well with the exception of certain cooked vegetables....any one out there like me????

sfricks · 11-03-2005, 07:18 AM

VERY SORRY! I need all the protien I can get and take it from all sources. However, great idea on expanding your athletic horizons. You're in a great place for support and training. Welcome aboard!

pyschosyd · 11-03-2005, 04:13 PM

There are tons of options for winter training. As a fellow northerner I've explored many of them!
It all depends on what your resources are. Obvious ones are to use the winter as a time to build strength and work on technique. Time doing weights and analyzing swimming strokes during the winter will give you a great start in spring.

Try getting outside to run as much as possible even though it is cold, I'm sure you do this anyways.
If you belong to a gym or might consider joining one. I found spinning classes as a great alternative for cycling, and I use them in addition to time on my home trainer. Also I try and work many bricks (ride then run) into my indoor training to keep up the interest.

At home I have a trainer for my bike which I love.

My biggest piece of advice though is to keep getting outside. Use the off season to mix things up a bit so you don't burn out. I now look forward to winter to cross country ski, and snow shoe. There is a fairly large group of both of these types of people. to hook up with to keep you motivated, and as well many race series if you are of that competitive sort :)

I also try and set goals training wise. I use hours of exercise.
Hope this helps!
syd

Spike10 · 11-04-2005, 09:31 AM

Swim, Swim, Swim, thats what I will be doing most of the off season, stroke refinement and lots of indoor training, even with the mild Colorado winters I still don't like to be cold. (I use to live in the Great White North, when I was a kid.) I must admit that I agree with Scott, nothing like a good steak and lots of it. And by the way, it's good to hear from you again Syd, I hope the season was good to you. Diantha, age 40 is just right for the Tri game, you are in my opinion more mentaly ready to put your body through a tri at 40 than at age 20, the only things different are recovery time and speed, but you will be racing against first of all yourself and secondly, women your own age group. I guess I just like to see if I can do it to myself and survive to do it again. Thats the fun of it, and I'm 44:)
Good luck and happy training.
Spike.

Carpe Diem · 11-04-2005, 12:29 PM

Congratulations on your Marathon accomplishments...I really have little to add in the way of advise from the previous recommendations. In home bike trainers and treadmill workouts are what my wife and I use. We also enjoy working hard at the pool. I read your post about raw veggies, and am going to implement a few meals per week just to see how I feel. I enjoy my meat and fish dishes too much to ever give them up. You have an advantage of great endurance benifits through your running history, and as you allready cross train. Perhaps there is a Masters Swimming program close to your home that might prove benificial. I like to train with friends that keep me motivated and inspired, so I recommend meeting other likeminded athletes in your area to train with.

Diantha · 11-05-2005, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the reinforcement Carpe Diem. Our family did just join the local YMCA so pool training can now be incorporated...now I just need to find a mini-tri to focus on...Know anything about the one in Philadelphia, PA in June?...looks doable...Good luck with the raw meals. I am actually "new" to raw foods (since August) and would have NEVER believed I would transform my eating habits to this level prior to that point. It just flies in the face of anything I ever knew in regards to dietary needs and I really thought I followed a "healthy" lifestyle. Now, I eat unlimited fruits and vegetables (seems as though I am always eating!) and small amounts of nuts/seeds/dried fruits...I have tons of energy and am running faster with quicker recovery...so good luck dappling in the raw food lifestyle...you may just enjoy it! (Sure beats the "low carb" craze of current trend0 There are great web sites explaining raw food diets and terrific books. Eventually I want to become a raw food health consultant for athletes...when I grow up! I am still in the process of convincing my husband to try it...baby steps...Good luck to you and thanks again for your advice!