Winter Trainer challenge?

[Catrin]

Anyone interested in starting a little trainer challenge for the winter, say through February? I see this as more challenging ourselves, and use a Google spreadsheet to track our goals. Time on trainer? Days of the week? I won't be doing it more than 1-2 times a week considering all my gym-rat activities, but I need an incentive to bring out the trainer when I return from my Thanksgiving trip. We did something like this a few years ago and it seemed to work well.

We also could just post on this thread, we don't NEED a spreadsheet unless there is interest. I could set it up and make it possible for everyone to edit it as needed.

[ridebikeme]

I'm definitely interested! Although like you, I won't be on it as much as in the past with nordic skiing and riding the new FATBIKE, but I'm in!

[Becky]

I'm in. My team does a weekly Sufferfest workout already, so this will be a good incentive to get on the trainer at least once more each week, especially if I can't get an outdoor ride in.

[Catrin]

You know, this could also simply be a general exercise challenge as well - I think that is what it developed into the last time we did it. Any thoughts on that? In the end, this is meant to help us get out and do what we know we need to do ;)

[Owlie]

Sure! I don't always have the ability to ride outdoors (work sucks!), but I could use the exercise.

[Blueberry]

I'm planning to do something in December - not quite sure what yet. I might do the Spinervals one: http://www.spinervals.com/public/Spinervals_32Day_Challenge__2013_Edition_FREE.cfm I'm sure it would totally kick my butt. But - I do have exams in there - so we'll see. I might jump on here - or just do it on my own. We shall see! Definitely trying to get a good jump on base building over the winter break, though.

ETA: the other place I really want to focus is swimming, but my pool is closed for 3 weeks in December (university). Boo!!!

[Crankin]

I might consider it, if it's a general exercise challenge. I know I can't get myself on the trainer more than 1-2X a week. Like Ridebikeme, I am also busy nordic skiing, snow shoeing, and supplementing that with spin classes, the trainer, and of course boot camp, which is the only constant. I've thought about getting a personal trainer for Dec.-Feb., but I am not sure I want to spend the money, and I probably couldn't handle that plus boot camp. I have to change something, though. I am gaining weight and nothing I am doing is helping. Also, a lot of what I do in the winter is weather dependent. I hope we have more snow this year (of course, falling at a time when I don't need to drive).

[roo4]

I'll give it a try! It doesn't matter to me if we do cycling only or add in other activities. I want to focus on strength training and spinning this winter, but I'll throw in some swimming as well.

[Catrin]

Why don't we call it a general exercise challenge, say a certain amount of time a week? Obviously this is simply our challenging ourselves on this. I will be leaving town tomorrow for the holiday but will put the spreadsheet together this weekend. Barring last minute weather-related travel schedule changes it should be online and posted in a new thread sometime on Sunday, December 1!

[roo4]

Count me in, with the following caveat.

Let's not get to pedantic with what "counts" as exercise or how to calculate minutes, ok? For example, when I lift, there is a certain amount of time that I rest between sets. I am NOT going to figure out how many minutes I am resting and how many minutes I am actually lifting. Likewise, I'm sure some people are going to spend a significant time shoveling snow. If they want to include that as exercise, fine with me. This is just for fun and to keep us motivated, right? Heck, maybe someone will shovel a neighbor's sidewalk just to get in the extra minutes!

[Catrin]

Count me in, with the following caveat.

Let's not get to pedantic with what "counts" as exercise or how to calculate minutes, ok? For example, when I lift, there is a certain amount of time that I rest between sets. I am NOT going to figure out how many minutes I am resting and how many minutes I am actually lifting. Likewise, I'm sure some people are going to spend a significant time shoveling snow. If they want to include that as exercise, fine with me. This is just for fun and to keep us motivated, right? Heck, maybe someone will shovel a neighbor's sidewalk just to get in the extra minutes!

It really is up to the individual what and how exercise is counted. As far as lifting is concerned, the rest phase is just as much part of the routine as the lifting part - gotta have both :) This is indeed just to have fun and motivate ourselves during a trying time of the year, exercise wise.

I've also been doing a lot of thinking lately about why we exercise. Some appear to use exercise as a kind of punishment (not saying any on this forum does that), but for me it is the joy of movement, to recharge and refresh. What better time of the year to use that time for reflection and consideration on the year that is passing by and the year to come? Perhaps I am being a bit too philosophical but that is what it means to me.

[Crankin]

Exercise is feeling more like a chore to me lately. I am always glad I've done it, but I guess it feels like a chore because I know if I slack off on the intensity and frequency, I'll be fat, sick, and unhappy.

[Catrin]

Exercise is feeling more like a chore to me lately. I am always glad I've done it, but I guess it feels like a chore because I know if I slack off on the intensity and frequency, I'll be fat, sick, and unhappy.

I hear you Crankin, I've certainly been there. Is there any way that you can mix things up, do something new? I don't know if that will help...

[Crankin]

I don't know what more I can do. I do boot camp 2x a week, ride, either indoors or out, and hike. This time of year through March, it is about as mixed up as it gets, with snow sports, too. I went through a yoga phase. I like it, but the classes at my gym aren't at the most convenient times for me. I do it at home occasionally. I can barely swim and I can't swim with my contacts in, nor can i see without them! I have been taking a step class once in awhile, too.
It's more the knowledge that I can never stop. I've been exercising at this level since I was 25. That's 35 years. I've had thoughts of wanting to be just a normal person who can eat lots of bread and sit on the couch. But, I can't. I got burned out on teaching at the gym, and it was a huge relief when I stopped. About 2-3 years after that, I got in a real funk, gained weight and just went through the motions. I went to classes, but barely worked. It was during this time that I started riding. It's been 13 years. I guess I've come to the realization that I need to work harder at riding; I just hate the thought of a "training" plan, it would kill the joy for me. But, on the other hand, I hate the idea of requiring more rest, aging, slowing down. And, this summer, I had a lot of things hurting. It's not resolving the way I want, but it's better.
I know what I need to do, and I will do it. The level of suffering just needs to ratchet up. I can be very tough; I think I'm just a little tired of it.

[lgibster]

Well I have been less than motivated lately. Cold enough I can't ride outside after work and haven't been home much on the weekends lately. Our gym quit having water aerobic classes and the only "bike" and I use that term loosely has been broken for two months so I stopped my membership. The new LA Fitness I joined was supposed to be open in October and still hasn't opened. They will have water aerobics and a spin class (which I am sure will kill me when I try them for the first time). I have a trainer and agree that getting motivated to us it would be good. I also agree with it being a generalized exercise thing. We have a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Fitness challenge team every year at work and that keeps me motivated from March through May. Would be worth at try.

[ny biker]

I don't know what more I can do. I do boot camp 2x a week, ride, either indoors or out, and hike. This time of year through March, it is about as mixed up as it gets, with snow sports, too. I went through a yoga phase. I like it, but the classes at my gym aren't at the most convenient times for me. I do it at home occasionally. I can barely swim and I can't swim with my contacts in, nor can i see without them! I have been taking a step class once in awhile, too.
It's more the knowledge that I can never stop. I've been exercising at this level since I was 25. That's 35 years. I've had thoughts of wanting to be just a normal person who can eat lots of bread and sit on the couch. But, I can't. I got burned out on teaching at the gym, and it was a huge relief when I stopped. About 2-3 years after that, I got in a real funk, gained weight and just went through the motions. I went to classes, but barely worked. It was during this time that I started riding. It's been 13 years. I guess I've come to the realization that I need to work harder at riding; I just hate the thought of a "training" plan, it would kill the joy for me. But, on the other hand, I hate the idea of requiring more rest, aging, slowing down. And, this summer, I had a lot of things hurting. It's not resolving the way I want, but it's better.
I know what I need to do, and I will do it. The level of suffering just needs to ratchet up. I can be very tough; I think I'm just a little tired of it.

I think my trainer would look at this and suggest taking a break for a week or two. Not being totally inactive but reducing the time/effort spent exercising to give your self a chance to recharge mentally.

[Crankin]

I've done this in little bits and pieces.... 2-4 days at a time. I like doing "easy" or recovery level stuff so much that quite frankly, I could get in the habit of it all of the time and I don't want that to happen. I have no issues taking 2 days off a week, but, extended periods off, unless I am traveling, make it very hard for me to ramp up again.
Just came home from a killer step and weights class. I used to do this stuff all of the time and I need to do more to mix it up. I just hate being indoors.
Please, let it snow!

[nuliajuk]

I've been on the trainer once this week, for just 30 minutes. Since I haven't been on a bike at all for almost 4 weeks for various reasons, it was uncomfortable.
I've put the studded tires on my commuter, but can't get motivated to actually ride it. For some reason, walking the 4.5 k to work seems like less hassle, even if it does take longer. It's more exercise, certainly. Actually, if you add the time I'd have to shower after riding in - I can't avoid sweating on winter rides no matter how carefully I choose the clothing - it probably doesn't take that much longer.

[Crankin]

Sitting here deciding whether to go on the group ride or the group hike. It may be my last chance for an outdoor ride for awhile, acording to the weather forecast. No studded tires here.
I feel motivated to ride until I actually have to get dressed for it.
OK, I have 5 minutes tod ecide.

[shootingstar]

I don't "train" myself on a defined thing in the winter: I just try to go cycling no matter how short if there's not much ice/snow. But we got a snow dump and some ice after a snowstorm 2 days ago. So for me, it's trying to eat healthier/less. Not sure about latter.

One thing for certain, I'm surprised at myself that I have become a bit more acclimatized to colder winter temperatures here after moving here 3 yrs. ago. I found it waaaaaay too cold when I first relocated from Vancouver. I never thought I would ever want to walk around when it's -19 to - 25 degree C in the snow for half an hr. when I'm @54 yrs. But I actually like doing it now...but not for over an hr. unless I've consciously dressed up warm and am snowshoeing. :rolleyes: