Training in the winter is always challenging. The race season seems so far away. Add in cold, dark wet days and COVID, well you know where we’re going with this. Thankfully we had Zwift and our Virtual Cycling Program to provide us with a structured and periodized plan that tracks our fitness and recovery. It was great to have a program to keep us motivated, connected with our tribe, and on track, even if the race season seemed unsure. Now that the weather is warmer, many of you are jumping off your trainers and onto the road. But wait…..should you stop Zwifting? Absolutely not! Here are some reasons why we think you should consider Zwifting this summer: Get shorter rides done quicker: I don’t know about you but my prep time is often as long as my short ride is. Pump the tires, get my electronics on the bike and calibrated, get dressed, ride 15-30 minutes through stop signs/lights until I get a good area to ride without stopping. Do you see where I am going? High-quality interval sessions: Putting in shorter, high-intensity workouts on the indoor trainer keeps them very specific. You can control every aspect of the workout with no risk of interruptions. Safety: when you’re doing a structured workout outdoors you have lights, other cyclists and cars to contend with not to mention that you have to look down at what the next interval will be. Whether you’re recuperating from an injury or just concerned about the dangers of real-world riding, moving the ride indoors keeps you out of harm’s way. Riding late at night: Fitting a ride in can be a challenge regardless of the season. If you can’t fit the workout in before dark, then Zwift is a great option to have. Family time: Lots of Zwifters are stay-at-home parents with young kids, or simply want to spend as much time with their families as possible. You can Zwift whenever it fits your schedule allowing you the flexibility to spend time with your family. Avoiding sunlight: you could be taking medication or have a medical condition that makes you want to avoid sunlight so riding indoors out of the rays takes a possible sunburn or reaction to the sun out of the equation. Avoiding bad air: Air quality can fluctuate seasonally, especially when it comes to pollen counts. If you suffer from a breathing disorder or allergies it’s easier to control your indoor environment. For these very reasons is why we’ve put together a Summer Virtual Cycling Program and registration is now open. The program starts May 1st. Full details can be found on our website [here] Come Join the Team Triumph Tribe Julia Aimers CSEP High Performance Specialist Certified Triathlon, Cycling, Yoga and Swimming Coach USA Cycling Level 2 Coach
CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Owner/Head Coach
Team Triumph Triathlon Club
www.teamtriumph.ca
A year ago I could only tread water and had not run since childhood. With the amazing Virtual Olympic course, support, guidance, and tips from of all the folks at Team Triumph I've ended the season with my first Olympic distance triathlon under my belt and am hooked! Really looking forward to the 2025 season and even to the hard work over the winter to prepare. Karen Houle
I wanted to let you know that the Perth triathlon was a great experience, I somehow placed third in my age group! What a supportive group of participants (including Team Triumph athletes), cheering bystanders and volunteers.
Thanks to your swim lessons, I learned the technical basics and gained confidence to get back in the pool after decades. And it was really special doing this with Ann Laidlaw, my bestie for many years. We did a couple of additional swims with Kevin and Team Triumph people, also a great way to continue learning and practicing good technical form.
I will continue with lane swimming and who knows, maybe there's another triathlon in my future!
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman