What do you train to?

I watch TV! I do have some TrainRight DVDs, but rarely watch them as I find structing my workouts in a "Fartlek" manor works best for the boredom that comes with training indoors.

For example, while watching a football game:
Each Touchdown: 30 sec sprint
Two Minutes Warning: Big Gear Interval
Third Quarter: Tempo Interval

You get the idea. This entertains my mind and helps me get ready for the unpredictable nature of racing.

gman0482 said:

Hey everyone,

I know I must sound pretty annoying by now, and I appologize. My question to all of you is, when training indoors, what is your favorite way, DVD, program, to train better with greater help. I just got a couple of Spinerval's, and some RealRides DVD's. What are some other ways to train better on the trainer?

Thanks,
-Greg

i strictly use music.. i used to try to watch videos but i found them too distracting. my indoor training is shorter usually 1-1.5hrs.. max 2hrs and i do very structured intervals to music..

the concentration required to do the structured training and the music stave off any boredom. i also ride rollers which i think also make you concentrate on what you are doing and stave off boredom. i do the exact opposite of what other seem to want to do.. instead of distracting from what i'm doing to stave off boredom.. i intensify the concentration on what i'm to stave off the boredom.

hammonjj said:

I watch TV! I do have some TrainRight DVDs, but rarely watch them as I find structing my workouts in a "Fartlek" manor works best for the boredom that comes with training indoors.

For example, while watching a football game:
Each Touchdown: 30 sec sprint
Two Minutes Warning: Big Gear Interval
Third Quarter: Tempo Interval

You get the idea. This entertains my mind and helps me get ready for the unpredictable nature of racing.

Dad gum! I really like this idea! You could really creative with this too. I, too, watch all sorts of sporting events while on the trainer. I'm going employ this idea ASAP - thanks!

doctorSpoc said:

i strictly use music.. .. i intensify the concentration on what i'm to stave off the boredom.

I have a Computrainer, TV and IPod when I train indoors. I use the music to distract and the Computrainer readouts to focus my efforts on what I'm doing. The TV, well that doesn't end up doing much for me most days.

One thing I have going for me is that with three kids and a short commute (usually by bike), time on the trainer is the only time I get to listen to my music! That helps the motivation for longer sessions.

That said, I think the best thing to train to is a mental image of yourself dropping others on a tough climb next summer.

I do structured training to music. I tried TV but it is a PIA to lug the trainer and bike in and out of the living room. Videos are a waste of time unless your doing them with a group of 3 or more then it can be fun.😉

I also got the Kurt Kinetic computer so I can keep focus on my training.

My head keeps me pretty entertained. I mostly think about races I've done and how I wish to execute them in the future. The more vivid the fantasy, the better the adrenaline rush, the less pain, the better the training.

Once in a while my wife will appear in a nearby doorway. Sometimes I'm so into my head that she'll move from one doorway to another without me noticing it, and it spooks me to see her come out of where I didn't expect it. 🙂

haaha that's awesome. I love the trainer. Couple people told me I would't like it and get bored on it, but I can't see that happening at all. I can't wait to come home from work and start training. My girlfriend is starting to get worried cause all I do is either talk about cycling, on the computer about cycling. I don't even watch TV as much and just read cycling books. 🙂

gman0482 said:

haaha that's awesome. I love the trainer. Couple people told me I would't like it and get bored on it, but I can't see that happening at all. I can't wait to come home from work and start training. My girlfriend is starting to get worried cause all I do is either talk about cycling, on the computer about cycling. I don't even watch TV as much and just read cycling books. 🙂

You are no doubt a unique individual. A trainer is only a harsh reality for me although I hate it less than some do.
If I were a bumper sticker person, and I am not, mine would be " I rather be road training".

Piotr - sounds like we agree on visualization as the real key to indoor training

GMan - I'm the same sort of weirdo with the trainer. I think its one of the reasons I haven't got a PT for outside yet. Having the Power on my CT gives me a reason to look forward to indoor season.

JHuskey - A bumper sticker for your trainer? Who would read it?

ctgt said:

Piotr - sounds like we agree on visualization as the real key to indoor training

GMan - I'm the same sort of weirdo with the trainer. I think its one of the reasons I haven't got a PT for outside yet. Having the Power on my CT gives me a reason to look forward to indoor season.

JHuskey - A bumper sticker for your trainer? Who would read it?

It those darn groupies. They just won't give me my privacy.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather be riding outdoors also, but the trainer gives me a more detailed type of training, as there is nothing else to keep my mind on indoors but my progress and current goals for the sessions. So far the DVD's are ok, but I'm currently trying to make up my own set of workouts to follow.

gman0482 said:

Hey everyone,

I know I must sound pretty annoying by now, and I apologize. My question to all of you is, when training indoors, what is your favorite way, DVD, program, to train better with greater help. I just got a couple of Spinerval's, and some RealRides DVD's. What are some other ways to train better on the trainer?

Thanks,
-Greg

I like to put my trainer in front of the TV, put some headphones on and either watch American Flyers, Breaking Away, bike racing or the You Tube video Performance by MC Spandex. Most of the time I ride harder than my program dictates and the time has flown by. Good luck finding what motivates you.

I tried watching the Tour while indoors last year (indoors in July!). I couldn't do it. Perhaps some good cycling DVD's would work, but television is too distracting with the commercials. I guess I lied previously, because on occasion I will turn on some trance when I intend to ride for 2 hrs or more. That's only because it has a beat which promotes constant movement. I couldn't possibly listen to my favorite music as that would put my mind on stage rather than in a race.

I just watch movies or shows on TV. Our cable TV provider has On Demand viewing, so I get my water bottle, my towel, turn the fan on, start the show or movie I want to watch, and hop on the trainer.

We do have to turn the TV up pretty loud to be heard easily over the noise made by the trainer and the fan, but it's in the basement so it's not too bad.

The other day I watched 2 Soprano's episodes while I rode. 😎

Using the mtb armadillo commuter tires on the rollers makes a bit of noise so I use ear plugs. The loudest thing I can hear now is my heart beat and it's freaking me out.