Everybody seems to get in this game over the winter months. It took me a while to get playin, but that’s mostly because I didn’t have an internet connection in my basement storage room, five levels under my appartement. I solved this problem with a D-LAN connection. Means my internet is now going through the power supply lines in the house
Anyway, since July I’m zwifting and … wait for it … I’m hooked. And here are the three reasons, why this is:
1. Time Management:
Usually, when I’m commuting to work by bike, I have to plan in two hours of the day, plus showering. On most of the days, there’s no time or logical way to get to an evenening event. But – while I’m typing – this lines my mind says: “There’s always a way!” So let me say it this way: Time Mangement is easier. Now I do 45 minutes in the morning and two races a week instead of two hours a day.
2. Specific Training:
Again imagine my two hour commute. One hour in the morning, one in the evening, at least four days a week plus the occasional weekend ride. This means griiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinding out the mileage. Holding a steady pace, hold enough energy in the body for the rest of the week, don’t get on the absolute maximum. Right now I’m doing shorter sessions, but I almost have a higher Training Stress Score than on my high mileage weeks. I can work right on the spot of my weaknesses – sprinting ^^
3. Racing:
I’m a competitive guy, but I’m not that guy, taking an unnatural high risk, just to stand on a podium. My competition is my own fitness level. The first and foremost target is to stay fit and get out of my comfort zones. And this is where Zwift Racing comes in handy. There’s not much injury risk. You don’t do high paced sharp turns only millimeters away from an opponent. On Zwift racing you can truly explore the boundaries of your body and mind. I did never understand Jens Voigts “shut up legs” statment until I raced on Zwift. Heart Rate almost on 200 bpm, pushing out 450 watts, my brain is telling my legs to move. Honestly out on the streets I slow down if this happens, since there’s traffic and other dangers … but in Zwift: I push harder. No danger
