I never used to consider myself an “outdoorsy” person. In a lot of ways, I’m still not – I don’t do a whole lot of camping or gardening. But given my druthers, I will always choose to run, ride or swim outside versus inside. Okay, let’s make that “almost always.” I’m a total wuss in windy conditions, and today was a crazy windy day. (Seriously crazy. We’re still getting temps in the high 80s, but today topped out at around 70 degrees with 20 mph winds. Weird.)
Since today was a biking day, I opted to hop on my trainer rather than fight that wind. Let me be real honest here, the reason I usually prefer to ride outside is because riding on the trainer is HARD! When I ride outside, I’m on city streets, so even my maximum effort days have a little built-in rest time with the red lights I inevitably hit. And even though I have the resistance on my trainer set for a 70 pound woman, it takes way more effort to produce much less speed than when I’m outside, which is a bummer.
I popped in my Spinervals “No Slackers Allowed!” DVD and in less than five minutes I was wishing I had chosen the 20 mph winds. You can tell from the title that this DVD means business. I love Coach Troy, I have quite a few of these DVDs, and I frequently hear his voice in my head on tough rides, telling me to “get up out of the saddle and dance on those pedals!” Plus it doesn’t hurt that he’s pretty easy on the eyes. But today? Today when he was on my TV, hollering at me to “Push! Push! Push! Drive! Drive! Drive!” I admit that I hollered back, “EFF YOU, COACH TROY, THIS IS ALL I HAVE!!”
It’s okay, there were no children around and the neighbors already think I’m a lunatic.
Sorry Megan, no helmet hair on this one, but I think I got the Freak Face just right. 🙂
Even though it was brutal, it really was a great workout. I sweat so much I was afraid I was going to short out my cycle computer. Final stats: 9.5 miles in 42 minutes. (You see what I mean about the resistance setting – somehow I only managed a 13.4 mph average!)
Sweat On, Friends!
Patrick Mahoney says
13.4 mph is 13.4 mph faster than I could ever go on a trainer…so dance on those pedals!
gmontalvo13 says
hehe, you’re so brave posting a pic like that! awesome workout!
Java Joggers says
That’s such a great picture! I run/bike outside 99.9% of the time, but I’m a much bigger wuss about biking in certain weather conditions. I’ll run in rain, snow, wind — you name it. But give me the least little bit of wind or rain, and I’ll bag a bike ride. I need to get tougher!
Diana Tries-A-Tri! says
Haha! I love it! That look is priceless …
RockStarTri says
Riding on a trainer has been proven to be at least 10% harder than outside. Seriously. The best hint is to put the biggest fan you have on and point it at you. This will cool you off a bit by removing some of the sweat (like outside).
Don’t worry about the MPH indoors. That is so variable so it doesn’t really give you a reference but getting 40+ minutes in is something that is a good job!
ajh says
Sounds tough! Love the shouting at the DVD!
Heather says
Nice workout. I find riding on the trainer much harder too, and it seems to hurt my girl parts more. Or maybe that is just my imagination . . .
Teamarcia says
The winds are CA RAZY here too! What gives? Not that I’m complaining or anything.
Nice job!
Kovas Palubinskas says
Absolutely the hardest thing about the trainer, that feeling of working so hard and the mphs just not moving up.
misszippy says
Hey–guess what? I am IN that video! I am Amanda in the striped shirt (navy and white). It is an ancient video, but it was lots of fun making it and it’s a great workout!
Johann says
Awesome workout! I consider myself an outdoor person but I don’t like the wind at all. Great pic!
Candice @ I Have Run says
I swear I sweat more on the indoor cycle than any other time. Not sure what it is. Great job getting it done though. And wind = the worst!!
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me) says
Good job getting your ride in! I hate riding in the wind too. Riding on the trainer IS hard and spinervals DVD’s just kill me!
Laurie says
Love the picture 🙂 Also love that you yell at the DVD. Wind is about the only thing that makes me question heading out doors too. Not a fan.