Flexibility key to winter training

As the winter settles in and takes its grip on Boulder, there is not a whole lot one can do but roll with the punches. For those that live in warmer climates (read: anything above 25 degrees for a high), you may have a harder time relating to this post.

The only apprehension I had in moving to Boulder in 2005 was the winter. Unsure of what I would do or how I could train in the winter, I have finally discovered that the key to surviving December and January here is flexibility. Although a plan may call for a ride, you must be flexible and adapt to whatever the environment throws at you. Sure, there are trainers and treadmills to keep one honest on a plan, however it’s important to recognize that you only have a finite number of mental matches you can burn, and when it’s truly time to call on those matches, you want to make sure you have them to light. Last year I burned my mental matches too early and my racing suffered in the beginning.

It’s a lot easier for me to say this now, knowing I will be a multi-sport athlete for next year. By multi-sport, I mean competitive in both cycling and triathlon. For a couple of years now, I have put the two sports at odds with each other. Until recently, I have decided they really can complement each other.

With winter firmly settling in, I have found that my acceptance to the multi-sport race calendar next year allows me to swim or run instead of ride when conditions simply do not permit a ride. I am allowing myself to flex more and not be so concerned about my weekly mileage on the bike. Ideally I would jump on the trainer for 2-3 hours if my plan called for a ride. Now I simply head to the pool or go for a run. Although I am losing time on the bike, I am gaining fitness in other areas. As long as I stay active, I am confident my cycling fitness will return when the roads are more amicable.

When February hits and the ground hog dashes back into its hole, I will have all of my matches to burn to bring me into the racing season feeling fresh and ready to tear it up. That is my plan at least, and one I intend to stick with.

Stay flexible,

J-Rod
www.bouldermultisport.blogspot.com