Fitness

[Lotus74]

My fitness is really shocking only stopped smoking just over 3 weeks ago only got my new bike 3days ago my first ride was 3miles yesterday and today did the same 3miles problem with today was about half way my lungs really hurting so i stopped 4 a breather and drink of water only 5mins then set off again . Any advice should i not stop just keep riding or is stopping ok .

 

[Garz]

As with your riding your sentences may need a break too!

Take it gradually with small goals, for instance firstly 5 then 10 mile distances. In a few rides your base fitness will kick up if you go regularly and you will be hitting 20 in no time. If you are concerned any deeper (as I don't know your age) then visit the GP and get the all clear maybe purchasing a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) to help with your training.

Good luck!

Gareth

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Little and often seems to be a good starting point. Seems to work for most people here.

Don't try to go too far or too fast to start with, but do keep going out. You'll find that you can gradually go further and faster. If you feel you need to stop, stop.

 

[Lotus74]

Thanks thats helpful am 35 was a smoker for 15 Years on and off . My goal is to get out on bike every day .

 

[zacklaws]

Its probably took years to become unfit and sadly you do not become fit over night, but your going in the right direction. A lot of smokers have the attitude that when they stop, there body will be OK, but sadly that is not the case the damage is done and it takes hard determination to get fit again, so well done for taking the plunge

I've had an on and off relationship with cycling for years but almost two years ago I have took to it big style for the last time just to keep fit but mainly to keep my weight down and determined to keep it going till they bury me now.

Looking at my records from 12 months ago, I was stopping seven times on one hill for breaks of up to two minutes to get my wind as my lungs would be bursting and also let my heart rate drop back down and I was crawling up it at between 1 to 4mph. Yesterday I went out and did it 5 times on the trot, with no stops and cut my time down from 20+ minutes to just over 7 minutes a climb, the day before I had done it 4 times so in 12 months I have come a long way but it was through perseverance and not giving up.

Do not worry so much about stopping, it will be inevitable at first, if you feel embarased about stopping, look purposeful as to what you are doing instead of looking like some thing that just crawled back out of a grave and needs putting back in it, my favourite on very steep hills would be to stand upright off the bike looking back down as if your waiting for others to catch you up. Find your self a ride that you can manage with a push, record everything you do, look for the slight improvements as time goes on as that is what will motivate you, and in 12 months try the same ride again and see how much you will have improved.

As Garz suggests though it may be worthwhile seeing the doctor just to confirm you are OK, as 3 miles is not really that far to be suffering as much as you are.

 

[Lotus74]

Thank you some really good tips about going up hills . Dont think i need to see the docs think it was just my body in total shock of what i was asking from it two days in a row lol really going to give this my best shot ill feel better now after reading this thats its ok to stop catch my breath ill just pretend am on the phone lol

 

[Banjo]

My fitness is really shocking only stopped smoking just over 3 weeks ago only got my new bike 3days ago my first ride was 3miles yesterday and today did the same 3miles problem with today was about half way my lungs really hurting so i stopped 4 a breather and drink of water only 5mins then set off again . Any advice should i not stop just keep riding or is stopping ok .

Welcome on the forum . Ditto the advice to get the once over by the doctor but I hurt as much as you when I started riding in March.

Nothing wrong with stopping now and then for a breather .Keep at it try to cycle almost everyday and you will be pleasantly surprised at how soon you will be fitter.

Good Luck

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

There really is no shame in stopping. Don't push it too hard and knacker or damage yourself 'cos then you'll (probably) give up and waste what you've already done.

When I started out commuting 18 months ago, I couldn't get up the hill near my house. It's not especially steep, I was on an MTB in the lowest possible gear and I made it halfway before I had to turn round and go back.

By going out each night and going a little further I'd managed to get to the top by the end of a week or so, still in the lowest gear and needing to stop and recover at the top.

Within a few weeks, I'd got to the point where I could breeze up it in a far higher gear and needed no stop at the top. Then I hit a bit of a plateau in that I couldn't go faster up the hill but a few months later again I suddenly found that I could get up it faster and faster. Though I doubt even now I'd be as fast as what is considered slow by some FMs I seem to be on a plateau again. But I know I'm fitter than I was, certainly lighter and with a better body shape (still got a way to go though ). And I'm enjoying it. :?:

You'll get there, just give it time and take it easy.

 

[Lotus74]

Thank you all really help hearing this good advice al be back later got a meeting starting and thanks again .

 

[rh100]

Stop to rest as often as you need

I used to stop several times on the trip to the park - out of breath and legs hurting.
I can now do it non stop

The little hill on my commute has defeated me for a long time, only this week have I started getting all up and beyond without stop except for a quick breather and water at the bottom.

The fitness does gradually increase over time, you wont notice day by day, but in a few months look back and realise how far you have come.

I do find that when stopping for air, I recover quicker by drinking some cold water - I don't know if that is a general thing or just me.

 

[Norm]

Any advice should i not stop just keep riding or is stopping ok .

Yeah, SLOW DOWN!

There really is no shame in stopping. Don't push it too hard and knacker or damage yourself 'cos then you'll (probably) give up and waste what you've already done.

I agree there is no shame in stopping, especially on a hill, but I worry that you are doing it half way through your ride.

Can you walk for 30 minutes without stopping? Don't try and break any records. To get to the point where your lungs are really hurting after only 1.5 miles, I think you are pushing too hard. Take it easy, go at a pace that will get your round your 3 mile circuit, not at one which has you collapsing half way.

I am monumentally unfit but I can cover 45 miles, it just takes me 4 or 5 hours to do it. I did a 50 mile off-road ride a few months back, it took 7 hours but there was no pain and no collapsing at home afterwards, I just had a great time going slow enough that I didn't burst anything and enjoyed the scenery.

Oh, and warm up as well. If you are pushing your body to that state only 1.5 miles into your ride, you may be in danger of causing serious muscle damage.

Take it easy, pace yourself.

 

[fossyant]

You'll get there, so don't give up. A bit at a time !!

 

[cyberknight]

Do not worry about speed i would say your aim is to build up your base fitness levels 1st,gradually increase your distance you can comfortably manage .

And Welcome to the mad house

 

[Lotus74]

Went for ride this morning took every ones advice and kept it slow and steady i felt much better and did about 5mile got home and felt great not to out of breath ether . Only thing i have changed is iv put my seat up a little and al see how that gos tomorrow . Been trying to get hold of my local riders club sent emails but no reply . On there web site its says they meet on Sunday morning close to were i live . I live in newcastle close to city center .

 

[jig-sore]

i find it totally amazing that i can cycle 50 miles BUT i feel like I'm dying if i run more than 100 yards.

it's all about pacing yourself. take it steady and you can ride for ages but sprint flat out and you won't last half a mile. things will improve. my legs improved a lot quicker than my lungs and i guess most of my cycling comes from my legs, but after a year my breathing is a lot better.

there are lots of things you can read about cycling technique such as the correct way to ride up a hill (sit down and spin) and the correct speed to turn you legs at (cadence). grinding away in the wrong gear will kill you knees.

take a trip to your local library and see what you can find

also, for some strange reason, some days you may ride like a rocket and other days you will just wish you had stayed at home, don't let it bother you, it happens.