What To Do When IT's Cold Out

It's been a good start to training this year, for sure it's been the earliest start and strongest start to a training season I have had. To help me with it I have lots of different tools to motivate me along the way. Including testing, toys, and some great weather.

First of all at the beginning of February I made my way over to TCR Sports Labs here in Calgary and meet Cory a very intelligent trainer and coach. That is where I did my first VO2 max test since University. It was great talking to him for two reasons, first to get the information and numbers from my test and some insight on what those numbers mean and how they can compare to other racers and riders and where I need to set my goals. He also gave me some more idea's and suggestions on how to increase those numbers to help me meet some of my goals.  Secondly I had a great talk with him about my career goals and how to achieve them, what direction to be looking, and what steps I need to be taking. This was very helpful and encouraging. A lot of topics we discussed are some of the things I have been thinking about in the back of my head and some things that I know I need to do. As well he was able to point out some things that I didn't think about and combined to talking to others I have come to the realization that there is lots for me to learn and I really am going to have to take a little different focus as well as continue with my current plans. I spent a few hours with Cory and as I sit now that time was invaluable to me, I would like to thank Cory very much for all the help he has already provided for me.

February has been a pretty interesting month so far as far as weather has gone especially here in Calgary. It has been pretty warm, temps above 0C then the next week it will be -25C or colder. On those warm days I still try to get out and do some rides on the road, but a few weeks ago it was in that -30 range after wind chill so that forced me inside and on the rollers. I have been pretty good with the motivation to do at least 1:30 on the rollers inside but one day I wanted to do 2 hours on them so I decided that I was going to do a little video of the suffering. It worked out pretty good just being able to get off the bike for a min here and there changing camera angles was enough to keep me motivated to spin for the full 2 hours (actual ride time in the saddle). I finally got around to putting together a short little clip of the day here.

Winter Training

Here we are at the beginning of February, wow last month went by fast. I'm well on my way to being a certified personal trainer with Can-Fit-Pro, finishing up the course and passing the theory exam. Now it's time to find a job and get some practice in before I attempt my practical exam. I also took a weekend and completed the in class portion of the Nutrition and Weight loss program though Can-Fit-Pro which I thought was pretty interesting and it exposed me to a little different way of thinking about nutrition. Also that I need to spend some time and learn a little more about what types of nutrients are in different foods.

I just finished up my first full week of base training and I was pretty happy with that. I pulled out the rollers and remembered how much I love to ride outside. It took a little while to get myself to let go of the wall again (it's been almost 3 years since I have been on them) but once I did it went fairly well. Before this year the most I could ever force myself to stay on them was about 45 min but this year with some big goals in mind I was able to stay on for one ride of an hour and another of 1:30 which I am very impressed with. This Friday is the next big step in the training, I am going in for some VO2 testing which is going to hurt, it's been a while since I have done some testing. But at least this time I won't have a pencil sized needle punched into my leg for a muscle biopsy. Back in University I participated in a few studies where muscle biopsy's were taken, that was about 10 years ago and I still have the marks on my legs.

I have learned a few things about biking around town both in the early morning and in the cold. First; there is a lot of coyotes in town, I have seen no less then 3 of the little guys right in the middle of the city, up by Nosehill park and just a few blocks from my own house. I tried to get a picture of one out on a longer ride just out of town but as soon as I took my phone out he took off. Second; I have gotten pretty good at laying for different temps and I have learned that it is way less then I originally started layering up. Some Merino wool base layers, if it's really cold a thin insulation layer and an outer layer. The hardest part for me is still my feet even using my 510 DH shoes and neoprene shoe covers after a few hours they still get a little chilly. The other thing that helped me learn this was skate skiing out in Canmore I have been loving it, I use to get pretty bagged after about 40 min and now I'm working towards 2 hours.

Canmore Ski Trails

One last thing for this post; I finally joined a cycling club Cyclemeisters, it's the first time I have ever been on a club so it will be interesting to see how it works and it will be great to be wearing a team kit for the summer.

Winter Commuting and a Start to training

A few weeks into the new year and yet another new start with life and training. Well the work life hasn't really started yet unless you count taking a Personal Trainers course with CanFitPro. Last weekend while I was taking the course I decided that I was going to make good on my word that I would use the car way less to travel within the city. So it was probably -25 C out and I decided to get out of bed, layer up and ride my little Ti SS commuter though the snow covered bike paths an for an hour to make it to class.

It definitely gets a little frosty out there when it is that cold but it is not too bad. Now since then I have used my car once when in town, and I have been loving it. I missed how much I like riding a bike and it really doesn't matter what kind of bike or where I am riding it I just love the freedom of riding.

Thursday I had a few errands to do around town so I packed up a bag and made it a day of riding around and seeing where I could ride the bike in town so I don't have to do as much on the rollers or hopefully I can get some workouts out side and not have to pick up a trainer. I was amazed at how easy it was to get around town, made it about 30km or so that day most of the paths are cleared enough to ride on and major roads are just fine to ride. as soon as you get to some side roads though t gets a little dicey. I also learned two things about riding around town. First the bridges crossing the elbow river are no longer there so it makes just using Google maps a little difficult for getting around, second that I can't wait until the summer when I can ride all the way around the reservoir. I had planed on riding around on Thursday but as soon as I got close to weasel head I had to turn around because they didn't have those paths cleared off enough for me to make it through on my bike.

Which brings me to my last thought after riding all week and going for a hike out in West Bragg I am seriously changing my mind about a fat bike. It really could be a great tool for both winter commuting, riding on days off, and just all out fun in the winter time. There would be no need to get studs on tires and having to worry about riding on pavement when it gets warmer out, and you wouldn't have to worry about it being a sketchy ride when it snows.

Well so far I am having fun getting back into riding, getting out on the skis to start getting back in the habit of training, so in a few weeks I can confidently start a real training program, I just can't wait.