Ironman Bike Training--How About That Wind-Trainer?

I remember the first time I brought a wind-trainer25 minutes and then back.3)My bike stayed REAL
home. It was meant as a bike training alternativeclean.4)No potholes.5)No dogs6)No cars7)No
when the weather was bad.For 95% of my ridessudden rainstorms. Or in my part of the
I would load my bike on the back of my car andworld---snowstorms.8)Great for transition training.
drive out to the countryside where there was aBike--jump off wind-trainer--put on running
wide shoulder and less traffic. Besides, there wasshoes--be running 60 seconds later. Faster than an
no way on earth I would ever attempt to ride inIronman race-day transition and great training for
the city. Far too dangerous and not verywhat it will feel like.9)Ideal for interval training. You
productive anyway. what's the point when youcan gauge each interval exactly. Outside you're
have to stop every few blocks for a trafficdealing with wind and uneven terrain, so each
light.As the years passed and the city grew, myinterval is different than the last.10)You can get
favorite training routes became busier and busier.the same effect of climbing a big hill by doing low
Almost every year a cyclist was getting killed orrpm's in a big gear.11)Flat tire. Who cares? Sit on
badly injured out on the highway. It seemed thatthe couch and change it.12)Nature calls? The
every year that passed I was doing more andbathroom's never far
more training in my apartment, logging endlessaway.DISADVANTAGES?Sure.1)If your bike is
miles on my wind-trainer.Ultimately, something Ifancy, you don't get to show it off.2)It can be
never thought I would ever do, finally happened. Iboring(unless the movie is really good).3)You don't
did all my training for an Ironman on mylearn the small things like drinking and eating while
wind-trainer.First of all let me say that I amyou ride.4)Seriously, I believe the biggest
notorious for trying radical training methods. Mydownside to not getting road miles in is that your
theory is...how can you know how somethingbike-handling skills will suffer.Would I suggest trying
works unless you try it. For instance, I wanted tojust biking on your wind-trainer?Well, when I did
see how extreme distance training would help mythe race, I was only around 15 minutes slower
marathon time. So for several months I keptthan I usually was. So really, in the big scheme of
ramping up my distance until I peaked at aroundthings, it didn't make any difference. I would do it
150 miles a week. In order to do that I ran aboutagain.If you're living somewhere that is just not a
24 hours a week. I did 2 a day training. So often Igood place for cyclists, then sure, don't obsess
would run 3 0r 4 hours in the morning and then 1about it. Just get a good wind-trainer and build
or 2 hours in the evening. At one point I ran 25yourself a program and go for it. Ultimately, I
days straight.Was it worth it? Well I went to Lasdon't really think it will make that much of a
Vegas and ran their marathon in 3:03. It was adifference come race-day.The one thing I would
pretty good time, but I honestly felt that I wouldsuggest is maybe in the last month or so of
break 3 hours. would I do it again? No. I think itstraining when you're starting your taper for the
risky and just asking for an injury and the rewardbig day, get outside and brush up on your
just wasn't there. However, it was in my naturebike-handling skills. Six or eight rides should do it.
to try. Besides, one day I will be able to tell myThey don't have to be real long. Thirty-forty kms.
grandchildren that I ran 600 miles in oneor so. That should get you ready.You might think
month.Anyway, back to the wind-trainer. Mythis whole idea is crazy, but I promised myself
whole point of the run story was to explain mywhen I first considered building a site for the
thought process. I was willing to try this radical"new" Ironman triathletes that I would say what I
bike training and give it a test in an Ironmanthought--and feel--not what you necessarily want
because I was curious if would really be thatto hear.So you can take it or leave it. I'm just
different. I'll let you be the judge.I did "all" mysaying........don't give up on your Ironman dream
training inside. 100%I used a program that slowlybecause your area is not really made for
built up my distance to "five hours". Or about twocyclists.By trying it and risking an Ironman race on
and a half movies that I watched while I cycled. Iit, I know you can do it if you choose to, with
must say that there were many, manyreally very little difference in the final result....My
advantages to training at home.1)Saved a lot ofname is Ray and I'm a veteran of 14 Ironman
gas money.2)Could come home from work--gettriathlons.I have a website that is full of training
on the bike and start training right away. No timeand racing tips that I hope can help others realize
lost to loading up the bike and driving one way fortheir Ironman dream.