How to train for an Ironman in this ever-lasting-cold winter weather? Actually, it can be done well, read hereLuckily my program is not at the moment with many hours, and every time I go to train, I have a clear plan. That is one of the important things for me, when the weather (we have record cold winter in Copenhagen this year, the coldest Jan. in 26 years) puts you inside, and the sun is not in your face. I eat also food, and supplements, that makes sure, I get enough vitamin D, as that is always a problem here in the Nordic countries during the winter.
What else ?
I am very picky, on the spinning classes I go to SATS. I only go if I know that the instructor is good (happy to say that they have a good amount of them where I train ).
I make sure that I have been drinking enough before the class. In general your stomach can only take around 0,5 to 0,8 L of water pr hour, out to your system. And as it gets too warm and humid in an indoor bikeroom, I make sure to be good hydradted before the class. I also make sure that I have my high intensity in the first hour (if I do 2 hours) and then work on muscle or tecnics during the second hour, as I see that the heat blocs for really strong output on the second hour.Lots og fast pedaling; keeping the legs going, as well as muscle tension with 50-60 rpm, and this seems to have given more power on my legs. I hope so anyhow
For the run, I use the chance to get a good feel for speed, heartrate and leg-turnover, by going on the treadmill. It is a good chance, and also to get som power, by doing som steady running on “hill”, really great on the treadmill.
My long run is hard to do in the cold, so I have lately started out, doing 1 hour out and then going inside straight on the treadmill for the last part of the run. It works fine and gives a good thing to look forward to, beacuse I really dont think that a 20-24k run is total fun in -5 celcius and snow on the ground.
My swim is really good now. I dont train so many hours at the moment, so I am really fresh, and hitting the pool with good energy.
I have worked on my arm-turnover, and have moved my 100m time by 5 sek. That has made it all worth. All the hard 100-200m are paying off.
Soon it is time to see, if I can transfer my speed to longer distance, will be fun to see. I hope.
Else I do some good strength sessions. I do them now, and then I take that part down, when I start to do long bikesessions on the road. So I push some iron, and it is also going good, as Frank is wondering how on earth I can push the same kilos on my legs as he can :-)I work on my core, and feel good. Again, it is not the fun part, but I have a clear program, and I know it works, and so I go in the gym motivated.
So, this is how I get along with the hard grip, that mother nature is holding us in. But I know, as soon as we have +5 degrees, it will feel like springtime. I look forward to that, it will be so nice.
But for now, see you INSIDE!