Tips to making the most of your training during the winter season 

Training Tips

Get your training in and make the most of your training during the winter holidays.  

Today is the last day of Fall; Winter officially begins tomorrow.  Winter used to make me sad when I was a kid, but since snowboarding ten years ago and having upgraded my clothes, let’s say I have warmed up to Winter.  

As far as training goes, winter, especially the holidays, can put some kinks into your training.  Here are some coaching insights to get your training in and make the most of your training.  

You may normally set your life around your training, but sometimes, you need to set your training around your life.

  • CALENDAR CHECK

    • Set time aside Sunday or Monday to look at your personal and family calendar for commitments, appointments, and holiday traditions. 

    • Especially during the holidays, give yourself a buffer to reset.  This buffer will be your haven. I’ve learned this the hard way - ride all day, quick shower, drive to party starving.

    • If you anticipate a big night or need to be ‘grounded’ for family and friends, perhaps shorten your ride so you can be fresh for your gathering.

  • WEATHER CHECK

    • Now that you have days and times for events and family, check the weather. Even in sunny San Diego we can get rain that makes riding outside tough and the trails not so ideal. 

    • If you know that the rain (or snow) is coming, it can help motivate you to ride knowing you can’t ride subsequent days. 

    • If you have an indoor bike you have an advantage here - plan your longer rides on clear days and shorter rides for rainy days.   

    • PSA: give the trails a chance to dry out before big rain. Or find trails with decomposed granite (DG) that drain better. 

  • PLAN YOUR TRAINING

    • Now you can see when you CAN ride.  It may not be ideal, but you can work with this and plan. 

    • Depending on how many days you have to train, perhaps you double on days you have less commitments (e.g. ride in the morning, strength train after work) or perhaps you use rainy days to do some yoga or strength training or much needed rest day. 

    • Add some cross training during this time like indoor rock climbing or take advantage of fresh snow and take a trip to the mountains.

Careful not to stack too much stress (training, holiday stress) along with lack of sleep or too much sugar.  Recipe for taxing your immune system and the last thing you want is being sick.   Aim to get proper sleep and stay hydrated and fueled.

Happy Holidays and best wishes!

Chi

Cynthia Planken