Why Your First Outdoor Workouts Feel So Hard (And How to Fix It)

You’ve been consistent all winter — on the trainer, treadmill, and in the pool. So why does your first outdoor ride, run, or open water swim feel so much harder? In this episode, Coach Jill Bartholomew explains why your fitness hasn’t disappeared — but your body has lost something else. From environmental changes to neuromuscular adaptation, this is the real reason outdoor training feels harder in the spring — and how to get back to feeling strong quickly. You’ll learn: Why indoor fitness doesn’t always translate immediately outdoors The role of neuromuscular adaptation in performance Common mistakes athletes make during the transition How to ease back into outdoor training without overdoing it Plus: Jill shares her approach to balancing structured indoor workouts with outdoor riding for both performance and enjoyment. If you’re transitioning into outdoor training right now, this episode will help you make the shift with confidence. 🔗 Learn more about coaching: https://www.befiercemultisport.com/phillytri 🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes on endurance training and real-life performance. If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels. We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!Click here to schedule a consultation Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.