I've just begun training for my first sprint tri and have been doing 3 cycling sessions a week on the stationary bike in the gym. I'm wondering how I can most usefully use these sessions.
At the moment I'm considering 2 60 minute sessions (one hills, one speed) and 1 90 minute session of intervals for endurance. When I get a real bike (asap) I'd then replace the 90 minute session with a real bike ride.
Does this sound sensible? Is it enough? Any advice? Thank you in advance!
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Not really used the stationary bikes in the gym unless injured - not very like the real thing. But - if that's all you have...
Can you do spinning classes ?
If I was doing this stuff on a Turbo - I wouldn't ride for longer than an hour at the most. It's hard work. I'd imagine the stationary bikes to be the same.
Are you using a pulsemeter ?
But after you complete your 10 - junp off you bike, swap your shose and run abou 1.5-2.5 miles
peerrrrrfffeeect
At the moment I only do 2 turbo sessions a week of between 30-60 mins. Next month when the weather gets a bit nicer I'll venture back out on the roads.
I've enquired about going along to a local bike club, but not sure I'd fit in with their 'elite' attitude!
The bike leg of most sprint distances aren't normally more than 22 miles and most being less than that.
I'm sure you'll have good fun mooncalf, it's a good distance and doesn't take too much out of you.
Bike clubs can be a bit elitist I'm afraid. There were guys in my club who wouldn't talk to me until I'd given them a kicking on the hills !
Hilly - lend us your bike, go onnnnnn !
(but I was twiddling on Level 2 or something to get my legs back after a 20 mile run)
To be honest I'm slightly scared of getting a real bike and cycling on the roads with traffic in the dark and rain at this time of year so I was hoping to stay in the relative safety of the gym until, as Hilly says, the weather gets a bit nicer.
In answer to all the questions:
The bike leg of the sprint tri is only 20k, I don't have a heart-rate monitor, I don't have access to spinning classes, I don't think I'm ready for a proper cycle club yet (I'm sure they'd insist on my owning a bike as a basic entry requirement) and the uncomfiness of gym bikes saddles was one of the first things I noticed about them.
What is a turbo trainer?
Thanks again!
OK - 20k is only 12.5 miles, so the elite would blitz that in half an hour, but most people would prob do it in under an hour.
As you haven't got a bike, or spin classes, then the gym bike is a good enough start for you. I wouldn't try 60 minutes though - that would destroy you - too hot and too hard indoors.
Start off with 30 minute sessions, and then work your way up to 45minutes or so, but make sure you are working pretty hard. You should be able to talk, but not constantly.
It's easy to take it a bit too easy on the gym bikes.
Anyhow it's a small bike for a small female-sorry:o)
The 8 'fast twitch' races I've got planned have bike distances of 15, 20, 14, 22, 20, 16, 18, & 15 miles. I'm not a fast rider so won't be anywhere near the front!
In fact the only thing I'll be good at is the running.
I just wish motor vehicle drivers were more considerate!