Off-Season Workouts

[sgf726]

Hi All,
I just finished my first season doing tri's. Did 3 and can't wait for next year.

When I started training for the races this spring I bumped up my running and added swimming.

Question I have is do you modify the intensity/freq. of your workouts during the winter? I have always worked-out 6x per week but with the tri training actually started doing double workouts a couple of days per week.

I know that my long bike rides will end and I will be inside on the spinning bike and treadmill more. My main goal this winter is to improve my swimming.

Thanks ,Sharon

[zia]

My body definitely needs a break after a long summer of training. I've backed way off for about a month -- barely doing anything. Then I pick a winter goal (this year, a February half marathon) and work toward that. I am hoping to build up my running and swimming base (I am swimming 2x week with masters) so when the nice spring weather comes, I have a good base and can spend more time on the bike. So, my plan is to run 3x a week, swim 2x a week, yoga 1x a week (on my rest day), and spin/trainer 1x a week. Within this, I try to build in little breaks every 4-5 weeks or so.

The getting up at 5 am is what I need a break from the most, but unfortunately, my schedule doesn't allow it. *Sigh.*

[spindizzy]

Ditto with the rest theme. I did 3 5K races, 5 duathlons and a 160k ride this year. Plus CrossFit. I was tired. I've done almost nothing since the century ride. A couple of bike rides and a few very easy runs. No monitors. I'm about ready to get tested again and start back into training again..building base.

Last year I didn't rest..didn't want to lose my fitness. Melted down rather nicely in February. Sometimes I have to fall down hard before I learn.

I'm hoping to attend a training camp in Solvang at the end of April..that will get me through the winter....

I think it is important to give your body a rest if you've worked it hard.(says the voice of experience)

[roadie gal]

In winter I change sports completely and go to cross country skiing and snow shoeing. I'll try to run (on the treadmill) and bike (on the trainer) once a week, and swim occasionally. But mostly I'm devoted to skiing.

[colby]

Winter is all about base building after I take a few weeks easy after a marathon. Basically the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas I just do whatever I want, 30-45 minutes a day, avoiding the trainer as much as possible, then I get back on the bus at the end of December for base building.

I really enjoy the time off, and I get to enjoy the holidays with friends and family. I can't entirely stop because I would go crazy and someone might die, but I do slow down to a nice recovery.

I think recovery and base building will be two big winter themes

[txred9876]

I am so glad this post is in here....I have been totally unmotivated since the Mamma Jamma ride on the 10th. I did have a cortizone shot and cycst removed from my right foot last week and thats still bothering me some also.

I did 3 tris, one tri relay and 2 charity bike rides (one 68 and the other 70) since May. I have been go go go....and now I think I need a little time to recover...I am still riding some on the weekend but not nearly like I was. I road into town saturday to meet my husband and it was a great ride....(about 20 miles).

Anyway....thanks for some confirmation...
Tina