TTGreenwich Instructor Mitch West Talks Indoor Training!

Indoor Bike Training, Kona, and YOU!

On this past Sunday, July 28th, I competed for the 4th time at Ironman Lake Placid.  For 

the 4th time, I was fortunate enough to qualify for the Ironman World Championships 

this October in Kona.  Iʼm not going to write (another) lengthy race report about how I 

felt pre-race and during the swim, bike, and run segments.  It hurt.  The whole thing.  

Youʼve already read those.  You could also look up my splits online if youʼre completely 

bored out of your skull.  At the age of 43, I set my Ironman PR (albeit, by only 2 

minutes).  Instead, I wanted to talk about how indoor training at Targetraining has been 

crucial in my development as an athlete.

As youʼve no doubt noticed, we do not live in Southern California, or even Arizona.  Not 

only do we have a long New England winter, we also have a spring and fall which can 

be, at best, fickle.  Therefore, the ability for you to ride your bike, and even run, 

throughout the entire year is very challenging.  Unless you ride indoors.  Minute for 

minute, it is impossible to beat an indoor bike workout for efficiency and quality training.  

Outdoors you must deal with stop signs, lights, road debris, downhills, and yes, 

motorists.  An hour and a half ride, when done properly indoors, is an exceptional 

workout.  If you are already a TT client, you no doubt will appreciate this.  Having found 

what your threshold power is, you are equipped to perform workouts which challenge 

you in a number of physiological ways.  Consistent indoor bike training is guaranteed to 

make you a better cyclist.

Leading classes out of TT Greenwich, I am riding my bike indoors either 2 or 3 times a 

week-- all year long.  I use the winter time to develop specific leg strength that will carry 

me through 112 miles in July and October.  A favorite workout of mine (and many of my

friends) is a straight climbing session up Mt. Lemmon or Mt. Graham.  I canʼt think of a 

better way to spend 3 hours!  

But what if your goal is not to qualify for Kona?  What if your goal is to lose weight, 

improve your fitness, finish your first triathlon, or beat your buddy on the Saturday ride?  

Indoor bike training is the way to get you there.  Riding indoors with a group of people is 

incredibly motivating and you will be able to push yourself so much harder than if you 

were alone, in your basement, on a trainer.  If you are not cycling indoors regularly, give

it a try.  If you were but it has been awhile, come on back.  I am living proof that indoor 

cycling works.  Speaking of which, I will be getting ready for Kona by riding my bike,

indoors, every Tuesday and Thursday a.m. in Greenwich.  Come join me and reach

Indoor Bike Training, Kona, and YOU!

On this past Sunday, July 28th, I competed for the 4th time at Ironman Lake Placid.  For 
the 4th time, I was fortunate enough to qualify for the Ironman World Championships 
this October in Kona.  Iʼm not going to write (another) lengthy race report about how I 
felt pre-race and during the swim, bike, and run segments.  It hurt.  The whole thing.  
Youʼve already read those.  You could also look up my splits online if youʼre completely 
bored out of your skull.  At the age of 43, I set my Ironman PR (albeit, by only 2 
minutes).  Instead, I wanted to talk about how indoor training at Targetraining has been 
crucial in my development as an athlete.

As youʼve no doubt noticed, we do not live in Southern California, or even Arizona.  Not 
only do we have a long New England winter, we also have a spring and fall which can 
be, at best, fickle.  Therefore, the ability for you to ride your bike, and even run, 
throughout the entire year is very challenging.  Unless you ride indoors.  Minute for 
minute, it is impossible to beat an indoor bike workout for efficiency and quality training.  
Outdoors you must deal with stop signs, lights, road debris, downhills, and yes, 
motorists.  An hour and a half ride, when done properly indoors, is an exceptional 
workout.  If you are already a TT client, you no doubt will appreciate this.  Having found 
what your threshold power is, you are equipped to perform workouts which challenge 
you in a number of physiological ways.  Consistent indoor bike training is guaranteed to 
make you a better cyclist.

Leading classes out of TT Greenwich, I am riding my bike indoors either 2 or 3 times a 
week-- all year long.  I use the winter time to develop specific leg strength that will carry 
me through 112 miles in July and October.  A favorite workout of mine (and many of my
friends) is a straight climbing session up Mt. Lemmon or Mt. Graham.  I canʼt think of a 
better way to spend 3 hours!  

But what if your goal is not to qualify for Kona?  What if your goal is to lose weight, 
improve your fitness, finish your first triathlon, or beat your buddy on the Saturday ride?  
Indoor bike training is the way to get you there.  Riding indoors with a group of people is 
incredibly motivating and you will be able to push yourself so much harder than if you 
were alone, in your basement, on a trainer.  If you are not cycling indoors regularly, give
it a try.  If you were but it has been awhile, come on back.  I am living proof that indoor 
cycling works.  Speaking of which, I will be getting ready for Kona by riding my bike,
indoors, every Tuesday and Thursday a.m. in Greenwich.  Come join me and reach