Hate/Hate Relationship with Trainer

[gingergin]

I've been on my trainer so much lately because of all this rain that I think I am actually starting to get comfortable on it (but I still hate it)!
Now when it gets nice out this weekend my bike path will be a MOB SCENE!

[maillotpois]

I like the trainer for recovery rides. It's hard for me to to really do a recovery ride outside, because I get carried away and have a hard time not riding too hard. Plus, there's just too much climbing around here.

I have to try to pretend that I have a positive relationship with the trainer. Of course, I am not sentenced to ride it through the winter because we don't have snow. I ride it 1 - 2 times a week max. If I wasn't able to ride outside through the winter at all I would probably feel much more resentful. SheFly I really admire the fact that you are so diligent in your training in spite of the torture device!

[Jo-n-NY]

Actually I do not mind the trainer at all during the winter. In my head I know at that time of year that is what I need to do and do not have a problem with it.

But when DST came early and we actually has spring like temps for a while I felt it was like a gift and I got my outdoor miles started earlier this year. Then this week we are back to winter like temps and on the calender it is spring and riding the trainer is now like someone else said, "overkill"

~JoAnn

[Crankin]

This was the first year I used a trainer; previously, I went to spin classes 3 times a week and got some x country skiing in, along with weights, etc. My husband dropped his gym membership, so he bought a trainer. I bought one, too, since my husband, who is a very strong rider, doesn't have much will power in the off season.I also got the Graham Street Yoga/Spin training program. This was the hardest training I've ever done, even worse than when I was working with a personal trainer, getting ready for my trip to Austria. I had to decide if I was going to go for the cadence or use the gears he suggested, because I couldn't do both and keep my knees healthy, so I went with the cadence goals. The circuit training things were also unbelievably hard. Just when I was feeling really strong, I got sick and didn't do too much riding in February. I got on the bike outside in March, very happy with the early DST. I had 2 rides to lead in March and generally was glad I was sweeping because my lungs didn't really clear up until April 1st.
So, I guess the trainer is a choice between working hard at home or taking the time to go to the gym and spin class. It is harder for me than riding on the road, and I am nowhere at the level that SheFly is. I do a lot of hill riding, but it is nowhere as hard as what I did on the trainer!

[SheFly]

Great points by many of you on the value of the trainer during the off season, and I really do agree. However, this should NOT BE the off season anymore, which is why I was whining about having to ride it...

Thankfully, that is now behind me. The sun is shining, temps are in the upper 60s, and it looks like it will be a GLORIOUS weekend for racing! The trainer lives for another day .

SheFly

[Veronica]

We really have no off season. Don't throw things at me. That's probably why I stick with the trainer stuff even during the great weather. I know the intense workouts I do with Coach Troy are really to my benefit. And I ride outside nearly everyday with my commute.

My sis in Windham, Maine says the weather should be great this weekend. I hope so. She needs a bright spot.

V.