Friends of the Devil News
Tri Pod Episode 2 Coming Next Week – With Special Guest!
Episode 2 of The Friends of the Devil Tri Pod comes out next Saturday, April 10th. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to never miss an episode. Nate and Elliott discuss transitioning from off-season training to race season and adapting those plans for Covid. Then the Friends are joined by special guest, Danny Serpico, owner of Rip It Events and race director for the upcoming Bear Triathlon in DE. Danny goes into what it takes to put on a fantastic race and shares the weirdest triathlon experience he’s ever had.
We’ll see summer by and by…
Springtime is a weird time of year to train for triathlon. Coming out of a cold winter off season, you’ve gotten so used to below freezing temperatures on your outdoor sessions that anything above 45 degrees feels like Miami Beach. Then one day, you put on your outer layers and gloves and go out for a run and you’re peeling off layer after layer as you leave a trail of sweat that may be mistaken for a small river. The next day you layer down because you don’t want that to happen again and that’s when springtime says “April Fools!” and blasts you with an arctic chill. Still though, it doesn’t stop you from going right back out the next day. How does that poem go? “We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not.”
Darkness fall and seasons change. Gonna happen every time.
I don’t like the cold; I never have. I was born in July and the in the summer is where my heart lives year round. So each year I dread the day when we revert to standard time and the darkness comes so early. Going into off season, I have to (sometimes literally) gird my loins to get outside and train. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the equipment to do everything I need to inside. Aside from a missing treadmill in my pain cave, I doubt my husband will let me buy an endless pool given the size of our basement. So, until I get a new house, or a new husband, going outside remains a necessity.
That said, once I do get over the initial shock of being outside in the cold, I tend to get used to it right around the time my session is ending. I never seem to be able to get the mix of base, mid, and outer layers just right so I’m really comfortable. I did just get winter cycling gear for the first time this off season and I have to say, I was surprised at how comfortable my ride that day was. Of course, since that then, I haven’t had a real opportunity to use it again since the weather has moved to spring so quickly (this weekend being the exception).
My real love is training in the summer. I know it sounds weird but I absolutely love the hideous tan lines you get as a triathlete. I take great pride in the stark contrast between my tanned arms, calves and face and my pasty white torso and thighs. I think it’s hysterical when I go to the beach and see people cock their heads to the side. To me, it’s a source of pride via a visual representation of the miles and hours of training I’ve put in over the season.
Training Update: Finally a recovery week! Next week starts the “endurance stage” of my program.
| Training Update | Last 2 Weeks | Year to Date |
| Swim | 4,700 yds | 20,000 yds |
| Bike | 104.1 mi | 313.36 mi |
| Run | 10.93 mi | 84.54 mi |
| Strength | 5h 59m 02s | 26h 04m 21s |
Winter grey and falling rain. We’ll see summer come again.
Training outdoors year-round can be a chilly, sweaty, frost bitten, sunburned, soaking wet endeavor.
I’ve found summer to be the easiest to plan for. Especially summer mornings before the oppressive humidity and threat of afternoon thunderstorms. Not that I mind the rain. I actually prefer rainy runs if the temperature is above 55-60 degrees. The lightest clothing I have, sunscreen, and lots of water will normally suffice for any long run or ride during the summer months.
Winter is a little more challenging for a few reasons. First, the temperature tends to fluctuate more. And second, if you underdress, you freeze. But if you overdress, you sweat and you freeze.
Spring and fall are both a total guessing game. My run on Wednesday night (3/31)was in shorts and short sleeves. My run later today (4/2) will probably be in full base layers, gloves, and beanie.
I’ve got a pretty good running list in my head as to which pieces of gear I own are good for for which temperature and conditions. But I always seem to realize I’ve over/under dressed 15 minutes into my run or ride. One of these days I should write it down or create a spreadsheet…maybe that’s one of the things that separates us amateurs from the pros…
| Training Update | Last 2 Weeks | Year to Date |
| Swim | 7,627 yds | 11,346 yds |
| Bike | 119 mi | 621.1 mi |
| Run | 23.2mi | 131.1 mi |
| Strength | 0h 00m 00s | 0h 0m 0s |
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