Consistency is the key to long-term training success. As we all know, life has a way of throwing us curveballs, which can easily interrupt this consistency. The goal is to create options so that doing a session is never the question, but we have multiple plan B options. These may not be the optimal option, but when it's a choice of getting it done or not, it's easier to have a fallback plan.
It takes time to develop a plan into options/strategies. Start with the most important and slowly build over time to create an environment that supports consistency and makes decision-making simplified.
The primary example of a plan B is to have an indoor trainer. Most cyclists/triathletes have indoor trainers to make it easier to ride when the weather is poor, or there is a lack of daylight or available time to train.
There are several other options that you can develop to help
create your environment. For swimming, you should have stretch cords available; that way, if you can’t get to the pool or if the pool is closer to where you’re traveling, you have some options to do a short, simple swim-specific workout. In addition
to a bike trainer, having a mountain biker gravel Bike will give you
additional options for riding through the winter or varying terrain or getting
off the road and on trails or bike trails during fog or bad weather. For running, if you have space to add a treadmill and becomes a great option. Although
treadmills are expensive, you can always find them cheap or free online or from
friends or family who have a treadmill and never use it; they would love to take you
to take it off their hands.
Over the past several decades, I’ve accumulated some really
cool equipment that has allowed me to stay consistent and competitive. Here’s my
list:
Swim-
· Olympic-size pool/28 short course lanes /eight
minute drive
·
neighborhood 2×25 m seasonal/ two-minute drive
·
Vasa ergometer
·
Vasa trainer
·
stretch cords (many varieties)
Bike-
·
gravel bike- access to 60 – 70 miles without
getting on the road from house
·
Compu trainer- old but still does the trick
·
Rollers-
Run-
·
treadmill and garage
·
treadmills at National Training Center (motorized
and curved)
Strength training
·
fully equipped home gym
·
fully equipped at work
People often tell me I’m lucky to have access to all this; they are correct, and I’m very grateful. But this is also by design.
In addition to the training consistency, I’ve also built in
recovery with a hot tub and sauna on-site for daily use.
By building an environment based upon consistency, you save
time building fitness and take away the stress of having to decide what you are
going to do. Have fun and slowly build an environment around you that will help
support health, fitness, and recovery.
