18303 Gtn Winter Base Training Myth Blog 1200×675

GTN Presents: Is Winter Base Training a Myth?

BY Susan Legacki

Before you head out into the cold for your trusted base mileage, get the scoop from GTN on the latest science regarding the benefits (or lack thereof) of winter base training.

As part of the partnership between the Global Triathlon Network (GTN) and TrainingPeaks, we’ll be bringing you twice-monthly episodes of the “Triathlon Training Explained” show, where hosts and former pro triathletes Mark Threlfall and Heather Fell answer your triathlon training questions with the help of TrainingPeaks software, coaches and industry experts from around the world.

As the end of the season approaches, many endurance athletes take some time off and then start up their “winter base mileage.” For triathletes, this usually means lots and lots of long, slow miles on the bike, in the pool and on the run as they get their endurance up before dialing in some speedwork and race-specificity training as their first race of the season approaches.

Well, it turns out that winter base training might be a bit of a myth. For some athletes it works great, but for others, it makes more sense to do more HIIT (high intensity interval training) in the winter months, which not only saves time but has a lot of the same benefits as long, slow mileage.

In the latest episode of GTN’s “Triathlon Training Explained,” Heather Fell and Mark Threlfall go over the pluses and minuses to long slow mileage, and what science has to say about the benefits of HIIT training.

Check out the full video below:

Triathletes in the know like GTN’s Mark Threlfall, Fraser Cartmell and Heather Fell use TrainingPeaks to help plan, track and analyze their training. Dial-in your triathlon training with a free 14-day Premium Trial today!

Avatar1501790184
About Susan Legacki

Susan Grant Legacki is the Content Director at TrainingPeaks. The founding editor of LAVA Magazine and a former editor at Triathlete Magazine and Inside Triathlon, Susan is an IRONMAN finisher, Boston Marathon qualifier, USAT Level 1 Triathlon Coach and certified Pilates instructor. When she’s not editing or writing copy about endurance sports, you can usually find her training for them around Boulder, Colo.