If you follow golf, tennis or surfing at the professional level you can be forgiven for a misconception that access to year round perfect training environments is key to success - which includes prolonged time in sunny and warm training camp environments. You may also see cycling teams and your favourite triathlete heading to sunny camps.
Armchair fans are preconditioned to confirmation bias of the stars of their sports endless summers. English football fans are less likely to suffer from this affliction.
The rise of social media reinforces the idea that warm weather winter training camps are necessary for sporting success. This could not be further from the truth.
To quote the greatest boxer of all time Muhammad Ali:
‘The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road; long before I dance under those lights. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.’
If you live somewhere with cold wet winter weather, rejoice and embrace the seasons! Working with, and not attempting to control the seasons will bring success in abundance.
When it’s cold, dark and horizontal rain outside, there are no decisions to be made - there is no choice of route to ride, today is turbo! Similarly with the run, today is treadmill. There is no wasted effort or procrastination of route, meeting friends, etc. The winter season teaches us the art of simplification. It brings focus and direction. It also brings quality and time on the two most result producing tools a triathlete can own or have access to - the turbo and treadmill.
This is your secret weapon!
While others enjoy their leisurely group ride and post ride latte, you are getting the real work done. You are busting it out in perfect indoor conditions!
Simplification + desire + consistency is a winning combination.
Seasons bring variety to the year - with shorter quality indoor workouts to develop our strength and power, then layering of longer workouts outdoors in spring and summer as we build into race season.
To improve your fitness during this winter period, and set yourself up for your best ever racing season in 2022 remember the wisdom from Ali above - desire, dream, vision, will; or in my words - the magic comes from within.
Winter Training Sets and Plans available for purchase
(*Apply promo code xmas2021 for 20% discount on all training plans)
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