Getting back into the swing...

gmb

I haven't done any cycling (indoor or out) since September last year. This morning I decided to have a session on my rollers with The Fight Club Sufferfest training vid. I was gutted to find I had deleted it from my computer so just did a 10 mile blast.

I feel absolutely knackered and didn't enjoy it at all. Normally I don't mind a session on the rollers.

I'm on the verge on getting rid of my bike as I cannot justify keeping it with so little use.

Anyone know any good online stores that sell motivation???!!! This is the first winter that I've felt like this. I have put on over a stone in weight and feel like cr**.

Thinking about getting another Sufferfest vid - any recommendations?

neeb

Wait until the spring...

Difficult to start getting motivated in the winter if you haven't been on the bike for a while and have lost fitness. My main motivation for training in the winter is to hold onto as much of the fitness gained in the summer as I can... When it's minus 10 outside with 3 feet of snow and you just have the indoor trainer, you need to be motivated by fear, not enjoyment! If I stop training I will be unfit in the spring, give up cycling, become old, slow and fat, and then die.

ride_whenever

Join a club maybe? Borrow a mtb and try that, it's a lot of fun in the depths of winter as you have to really ride the bike rather than just grind away at the miles so you've got something to keep you interested.

Or wait until the spring.

danowat

GMB wrote:

I'm on the verge on getting rid of my bike as I cannot justify keeping it with so little use.

Do you need the money?

You'll get a fraction of what you paid for it if you do sell it.

Its not costing you anything to keep, so even if you do stop cycling, keep it, the chances are you'll want to use it again sometime in the future.

Motivation comes and goes, just ride (pun not intended) it out

gmb

Thanks for the replies.

Danowat, I take your point about the sale of the bike - I don't really need the money (no more than most people anyway).

I'm going to endeavour to do a few more roller sessions this week and look around for a local club (any recommendations for East Durham area?).

Have also been looking at the new Sufferfest Local Hero vid. Anyone had a go of it yet?

gmb

Bit the bullet today and downloaded The Hunted Sufferfest vid. It's a bit longer than Fight Club and I feel I've been mangled!!!

Enjoyed it though and I think I'll do another session this week (or even get outside if this sunshine keeps up!).

Thanks Sufferfest, you absolute sadists!

navrig

Just get out on the road. The endorphins will kick in eventually and you'll feel better. I've been out twice this year so far (40 miles on Saturday over 2 rides (32 + 8)) and felt completely wiped out on Sat evening. Just needs patience.

rc856

I'm desperate to get out (Pyrenees in June) but due to work/family/weather I've only managed an hour on the road and 2 Sufferfest sessions. I've just accepted that it'll be like that sometimes.
Had a year off the bike in the past due to tendonitis but never thought of selling up as I knew I'd regret it.

BikingBecky

GMB,

It's normal to feel rubbish on your first session after having time out off your bike!

I've been off my bike for 7 years and only recently, well November, got back on it. I felt similar to you on that first session back on the bike! I felt absolutely rubbish and could only manage 30 minutes and was wiped out - I couldn't even get up any hills.

But don't let this get you down! This is just the first of many workouts you'll do with your biking. With a few more rides a week, whether on the rollers or out on the road, you WILL start to feel better about it! I can almost guarantee this, so don't give up!!

Right now, accept your level of fitness - it's ok where you're at - you only got it all to GAIN and nothing to lose from this point forth!

NO -DON'T SELL YOUR BIKE!....remember, feeling rubbish is TEMPORARY, quitting your cycling is forever....and I know deep down you don't really want to do that - you just need some motivation....here's some quick tips:

1. See if you can join a club: for camaraderie and encouragement.

2. Set a target of finishing a charity ride of some sort for June/July time: gives you an incentive to train and get some workouts completed regularly and consistently.

3. Get out on the road when you can - you'll feel great for the fresh air alone!

4. Vary your indoor workouts: do a pyramid session using intervals to break up the monotony, instead of one long 10 mile blast which is boring.

Most of all, tell yourself you're going to get out on the road or (MTB) ride your bike ONCE a week, with perhaps one or two roller rides when you're time pressed. Just once a week for your road ride from now on and look forward to it!

Get the fun back into your rides, even if it's a bit chilly, remind yourself of why you enjoy cycling....as soon as you get the fresh air in your face and get some 'traction' again with your fitness, you'll be wanting to get out again and again...

Hope this helps....

Becky

gmb

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think starting again is harder than getting that base fitness in the first place. At least in the "first flush" of cycling it's all new and exciting whereas when your fitness has dipped after some time off the bike it's just frustrating trying to get back to where you were.

It's my own fault - I shouldn't have stopped after the summer, but I'm getting my motivation back now.

I'm going to do another Sufferfest now - just going to watch the Wright Stuff and have a coffee first, maybe hoover and do the garden after that etc. etc......