Winter Training

During the winter months in Finland, most summer sport athletes such as runners, cyclists, and triathletes go to long training camps where there is sun and comfortable training conditions. Generally speaking this makes sense and the athletes do benefit from the month or more of focused training. However, not all athletes have the option to travel to warmer climates. I am in the second group but have found there are benefits to staying in Finland through the tough winter months.

My theory is that the harsh weather conditions where sun is rarely seen and warmth is only found in the sauna, help make you appreciate the beautiful summer conditions found in Finland later in the year. True, I do complain about the darkness when I wake up early to do morning swims. Yes, it is painful to ride your bike through blowing snow/rain long after the sun has gone down. But, when spring arrives, you feel more prepared to tackle the tough season of racing and training after surviving winter training in Finland.

Ironically, skiing is the best winter training you can get while training in Finland but this year is perhaps the worst winter ever for skiing. My only chance to ski this entire winter was on a brief trip back to my parent’s home in the US where snow was chest deep in most places. While it is disappointing that there is no skiing this season, it does leave an opportunity to train more traditionally with more cycling and outdoor running being possible. All the time building my strength and appreciation of sun and warm weather when it finally does return with spring.