General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Less light in AM and training for IM Rss Feed  
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2011-07-29 3:23 PM

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Subject: Less light in AM and training for IM
Its starting to less light in the AM now and I am training for IMFL.  All of my workouts are early in the AM.  I usually start at 4:45a.  I don't mind running outside but I don't feel comfortable riding in the dark.  I have some long rides in then next 14 weeks and was wondering what is the best way to approach this.  How does using the trainer for a 1-2 hrs then riding outside.  Will I lose any benefits to riding outside, etc for IM training?


2011-07-29 3:37 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM

yup it sux...wish i had better advice i ride alot and dread going out when its dark but if i start later that means i am late for work. 

and i leave the office late but i refuse to ride the trainer. 

2011-07-29 3:50 PM
in reply to: #3621182

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
Could you find a route that you're comfortable riding in the dark?  I am skittish about dark rides, but I will do it in familiar places.  Just make sure to have lots of lights to see by AND identify you and your bike.    The morning light will start to come up a half hour before sunrise, so there's a limited amount of time that will be truly dark.
2011-07-29 4:36 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
Get a mountain bike. Ride for 2 hours in the dark on that. When it gets light switch to the tri bike.

Probably not very realistic, I know.

My cycling club does night rights and while I ride a mountain bike with knobby tires... we have people who ride on road bikes with skinny tires. Get a good light and you should be fine. Please note that a GOOD light can run you $200-$400 easy. The cost of a used mountain bike.

2011-07-29 4:41 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
Usually this complaint/observation comes up a little later in the year
2011-07-29 4:44 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
PS- My training for IMTX starts in December... and through the winter months I am using my mountain bike night riding as my secret weapon. Ha! While others are indoors during the week, I'll be pedaling around a 30 pound beast with knobby tires. It's going to make me strong!



2011-07-29 5:11 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
I'll swim or run in the morning before dawn but I'll ride in the afternoon.

Then again I've also done 4 and 5 hour rides on the rollers. That's one of the reasons I'll wait until afternoon and ride. The rollers are a very last resort.

2011-07-29 7:24 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
Get yourself a good light, I have a bright headlamp and I can see everything.
2011-07-29 8:12 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
Just go to work late.  Tell them your training for an IM.  They'll understand.   In all seriousness, if you can, start on the trainer then when it is light enough pop it off and hit the road.  Put the trainer outside on your back deck or something so you can be ready to go.
2011-07-29 8:17 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Not a Coach
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
I only do long rides on the weekends.  Weekday rides are short, but hard.  Good for the trainer.
2011-07-29 8:23 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM

I like your idea of using the trainer first and then hitting the road when it gets light.  If you put trainer in garage or near exit, you can make that a pretty seamless switch.  I don't think you lose anything by doing that..in fact, I would think the steady ride on trainer will give you more conditioning than the ride in dark where you will likely be more tentative about pushing it.



2011-07-29 8:36 PM
in reply to: #3621165

Master
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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
Split riding between the trainer and outside sounds good.  Can you make the switch quick enough?  It takes like 5 min to go from trainer to outside and not like 25?  I actually put more hours in on the trainer than outside.  Just more convenient.  This trainer gives a solid workout too.  Actually gone over 15 hrs in a week splitting between the trainer and spinner bikes at the gym.
2011-07-29 8:42 PM
in reply to: #3621294

Master
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Northern IL
Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM

DanielG - 2011-07-29 5:11 PM I'll swim or run in the morning before dawn but I'll ride in the afternoon. Then again I've also done 4 and 5 hour rides on the rollers. That's one of the reasons I'll wait until afternoon and ride. The rollers are a very last resort.

4-5 hrs on rollers?  Is that with any support stand?  That's some SERIOUS concentration!

2011-07-30 3:44 AM
in reply to: #3621457

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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
brigby1 - 2011-07-29 9:42 PM

DanielG - 2011-07-29 5:11 PM I'll swim or run in the morning before dawn but I'll ride in the afternoon. Then again I've also done 4 and 5 hour rides on the rollers. That's one of the reasons I'll wait until afternoon and ride. The rollers are a very last resort.

4-5 hrs on rollers?  Is that with any support stand?  That's some SERIOUS concentration!



Nope, that's just riding. Yeah, I got a little sloppy towards the end of the rides and was really ready for a nap.

Still, I'll ride outside in the afternoon and do long rides on weekends. If I have to ride during hours of darkness it's on the rollers.

2011-07-30 6:32 AM
in reply to: #3621267

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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM

KSH - 2011-07-29 5:44 PM PS- My training for IMTX starts in December... and through the winter months I am using my mountain bike night riding as my secret weapon. Ha! While others are indoors during the week, I'll be pedaling around a 30 pound beast with knobby tires. It's going to make me strong!

Heehee...reminds me of when I was sick and tired of the trainer around March or so and took the mountain bike for a ride while it was 20 and snowing.

However, I personally am not brave enough yet to ride in the dark. Since I find the trainer much more muscle-intensive and good for working my leg strength at a given HR, I figure it's working my weakest area as a cyclist - my weak runner's legs.

If you live near the Canadian border, you just have to become good friends with your trainer and Netflix streaming.

2011-07-30 8:47 AM
in reply to: #3621165

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Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM

I ride to the gym a bit before dawn, and picked up a Nightrider MiNewt 250 light.  Wow, between advances in LEDs and batteries, these lights are really bright, in a small package.  About 3 hours run time on high power, much longer in flash.  Charges by USB.

The light is an all in one, so no external battery, has a quick release so you can take it with you, and the clamp for the handlebars doesn't need tools.

It lights up everything I need to see, and when it gets light enough that I don't need a headlamp, I put it flash mode, so cars see me better.  I use it in the daytime as well when commuting.

There are also some glowing-cord style lights you can wrap around the frame, so sideways visibility is improved as well.



2011-07-30 3:08 PM
in reply to: #3621165

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Master
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San Antone, Texas
Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM

Same problem for me, i try to do all my training in the morning before work, and the time with light is getting less and less.  I took a good tumble the other day while running a 10 miler at 4:50 am, around mile 2 my toe snagged a manhole that was sticking up a bit.  Face hit the pavement, but was ok overall and kept running.  maybe i need a headlamp while running now? or just stop zoning out or running while half awake

i hate riding in the dark, even with lights.  So even though i hate it i ride the trainer during the week now, just the short rides (1 hr or less) and keep the longer rides for the weekend.

2011-07-31 9:03 AM
in reply to: #3621165

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Expert
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Less light in AM and training for IM
I'm fortunate in that there's a 3 mile loop near my house that's pretty well lit and also very well known as a route for cyclists so there usually isn't any issue riding it when dark (providing you have lights on your bike!).  However, for longer stuff I typically will ride the trainer until it gets light outside and then head out.  
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