Survive Your Winter Training!

{Ah, the winter}

TNT is gearing up for the summer season and we couldn't be more excited! Except...that it's the start of winter. For many, signing up to train for a spring or summer event provides a substantial amount of motivation to get through the winter months, but that first training day where the temperature falls to freezing can be highly discouraging. The brisk winter headwinds, the dangerously icy sidewalks, the spontaneous snowstorms; why would anyone want to go outside?? For TNT participants, they brave the winter weather to train for a world without cancer. What's a little cold weather when millions are battling cancer, the fiercest storm there is? New England winters are historically not kind to athletes, but there are ways to outsmart mother nature and get to your warm weather event successfully!



{Get your gear together!}



You'll find that some days the roads are clear enough for you to take your running or cycling out to the streets, but that first blast of cold air can be enough to send most back indoors. So here's your first tip: dress for the weather. Choose dry-fit fabrics that wick away moisture from your skin; your sweat will evaporate into the air instead of freezing to your body, fabulous!! Sometimes these dry-fit fabrics are pricey, but keep in mind that they last FOREVER. Make an investment one winter and your cold weather training will be a piece of cake in the years to come! If it drops below 40 degrees, you may find you need to layer. Don't overdo your layers, you should feel a little chilly when you head out for your workout! Know that you will heat up minutes into your workout, and you will soon regret having put on twenty different shirts to keep warm. Try to cover up most areas of skin using gloves, hats, and pants that have narrow bottoms that cling to your ankles. Popular brands like Nike and UnderArmour carry a wide variety of cold weather gear, often times offering free shipping during the holiday season, so stock up now!!

Unfortunately, sometimes the weather whites out roads or brings the temperature down to a dangerously low level, making it unsafe to train outdoors. This is where that gym membership that you have but never use comes in handy! For athletes who prefer training outside, the gym can seem a little drab, where staring at a wall is about as exciting as...well, staring at a wall. Here's your next tip: spice up your gym routines! Don't let the treadmill turn into the dreadmill. It's easy to set a machine to a certain level and time and pray that the time gods make thirty minutes feel like two...but where's the fun in that? Get excited for your gym workouts by changing your intensity or speed for short intervals of time on a stationary machine, or blend a mix of cardio and strength training! My favorite workout routine website is the the Livestrong Fitness website, where you can find treadmill, pool, and stationary bike workouts, as well as a variety strengthening and flexibility exercises!



{Gym time just became fun time!}

If you are planning to train for a triathlon, be sure to join a gym with a pool, as outdoor swimming won't be feasible until at least March or April. The trick is to vary your workouts and keep things interesting! Many gyms now have tvs or virtual course for stationary machines, which definitely help pass the time and keep workouts exciting! Before you know it, spring will be here and the mother nature will return to being the best friend you could have! So get out there and challenge the winter weather, you got this!

Check our Upcoming Events page to see how you can learn more about signing up for a TNT event and train through the winter with the Team!