It’s that time of year when we are starting to feel tempted by the weather…occasionally…to get the bike off the trainer and on the road. Some of our runs are feeling the freedom of shorts and t-shirts…occasionally…while others are cold and windy soakers.
Ahh, spring! While it’s challenging to navigate the weather roller coaster, it’s actually good practice to get out there and experience these tougher days. Why? Because we need to know we can do it, and the changeable conditions remind us of where we need to sharpen our mental skills.
Beyond mental resiliency, taking the training outside adds another dimension to our training blocks. There isn’t a cyclist yet who hasn’t experienced the real wind and real hills of their first outdoor ride and sworn they did nothing on the trainer all winter to prepare for this. Fortunately, that feeling passes quickly and the muscle memory required for feeling comfortable reaching the bottle cage and riding on aero bars comes back.
Similarly, as our long runs get longer, it takes a few miserable runs to remember to take preventative measures against blisters in wet shoes, how to layer properly for changeable conditions and the logistics of carrying adequate hydration and nutrition.
For many triathletes, race season feels like months away so its easy to stay in ‘winter training mode’. That’s where the challenge of an early season training camp plays an important role for both physical and mental preparation. Whether in a destination climate (warm and sunny) or closer to home – fitness and preparedness come together in the training camp environment to ‘fast track’ us into race season mode. And for new or returning athletes, it’s a great way to ramp up skills and gain confidence.
CL Performance Training is offering two early season training camps in 2022 – Collingwood April 28 – May 1, and Muskoka June 3 – 5. Both camps provided coach-led, focused training and skills sessions for triathletes, cyclists and runners.
Spring training opportunities go by very quickly. Don’t miss your chance to benefit from these transition weeks.
