I think it’s good to be creative with your training for any event.  If that means riding to work and using that as your  “training ride” or running with your kids in the stroller for your “long run” than go for it.  If the alternative is to miss the workout entirely then it’s always good to get something in.  I’m doing some creative training for Hawaii this year with a hard workout on Mt. Evans yesterday.  Sure, it’s not a typical long ride and run in preparation for an Ironman, but it definitely was unique.  I rode from my house, elev. 5660, to the top of Mt. Evans 14, 240 taking me 5:08.  I did some interval work on the way up and it was hard stuff.  I thought to myself, “Here I am doing bike intervals at 11,000 ft. – if this doesn’t help me for an Ironman, what will?”

 The highlight was meeting Nikki and the boys at the summit and getting in a brick run for 35 minutes – all at over 14,000 ft.    I can’t say I recommend this workout to everyone, but it sure was fun to do and I feel gets you very strong.  I used my Global Trainer for the entire workout and I have some screen shots below from Training Peaks.  Total time was 5:48.  Isn’t the best part about racing Ironman training for it??

Enjoy your training and be safe,

Tim