It`s a question of motivation..........

[UphallNumpty]

Hello ,

A little bit about myself first.........

I have completed two PfS and last year had a time of 2hr 41mins ,


I am looking to compete in the 100 mile Pfs this year , as my Top Title suggests , I am if being honest struggling to train even commute ,

With the unpredictable weather , Work commitments and two young children , I can`t seem to get going.

Any words of advice , hints , tips or a stiff talking to would help

 

[Norm]

Just get out there and ride, you lazy ass!

Was that stiff enough?

Welcome to CC.

 

[avsd]

My tactic for getting started is tell lots of people that you are going to do the 100 miles for a charity. The more people you tell the better for the motivation. then get a training schedule - start slow and build up. Here an example for March if the 100 mile event is at the end Jun/July. Add 10-20% distance each week

15-Mar1Monday 16-Mar Tues20 Minutes517-Mar Wed 18-Mar Thurs20 Minutes519-Mar Fri 20-Mar Sat 21-Mar Sun60 Minutes1222-Mar2Monday 23-Mar Tues25 Minutes 24-Mar Wed 25-Mar Thurs25 Minutes 26-Mar Fri 27-Mar Sat 28-Mar Sun90 minutes 29-Mar3Monday 1030-Mar Tues102031-Mar Wed10 01-Apr Thurs101502-Apr Fri 03-Apr Sat 15

 

[Scoosh]

UphallNumpty and

to CycleChat !


I know the feeling of struggling to do any riding . The weather is horrible, the legs don't want to work, the bike needs cleaning - and the mojo seems to have got lost at the bottom of the garden shed

.

However, there is a lovely saying we need to remember: "And it came to pass ....."

The weather will get warmer; the mojo will return (closely linked ) ..... and CC Ecosse will organise one of our famous Forum Rides

. Keep an eye on the CC and Informal Rides & Events section and, sometime when we all have a bit more motivation, come along and enjoy a wee daunder with other CC folk. You will not get left behind; you will not be holding anyone back; you will probably want to come back for another one

.


In the meantime, try doing a couple of rides each week: the fresh air and personal time will help, as will the feeling of freedom, the open road, the wind in your hair, the warmth (yes, it's going to be over 10[sup]o[/sup]C by Wednesday) and the feelings of life being good will return

......






... jings, I hope so

 

[Falwheeler]

I agree with "avsd". I did little last year due to illness but now on new medication which as made a huge difference so I talked a friend into entering the Dartmoor Classic with me and told all our club members what we're doing. I've got a lot of weight to lose but have joined the gym, all of which seems to change your mindset and motivates you. I know I'm lucky, my children are grown up and I only work part time but it can still be a struggle to get going when it's peeing down or blowing a gale

 

[snorri]

I found I got motivation for PfS by thinking about the home made cakes that would be waiting for me at the 'refreshment points' along the route.

 

[zizou]

2 hours 41 min is a decent enough time for 50 miles so it is not like you are starting totally from scratch

The hardest part of training isn't the training itself, it is getting out the door in the first place, particularly at this time of year. If i am struggling to get out then i just get my stuff ready and force myself to go but with the promise to myself that if after 10 minutes i still cant be arsed then turning back is ok - at least i gave it a go. Once out and starting to warm up you wont be wanting to turn back.

 

[monnet]

Not sure how much I can help or use my advice will be but I find motivation comes in three forms for me.

1) to have the aims there in the first place. Once I've entered the first races of the year, I know I HAVE to train, whether I feel like it or not. Whether it's commuting, club training runs, turbo work...). I get that Sean Kelly maxim in my head 'On Xmas day and new year's day, I train twice because I know at best my rivals will only train once.' I know charity rides and racing are different kettles of fish but - You've got the aim.

2) sometimes it's a struggle, especially with the weather but once I start properly racking the miles up and seeing the improvements (be they in speed or recovery) I start to get the bug again.

3) the most consistent rider I know (a 47 y.o who can still do a long 19' for a '10' on the right course, did a 1 51' for a '25' last year) told me, when you don't feel like it stop. Do the minimum until the desire comes back to you. If you're a habitual cyclist, the desire will come back - it's in your legs and blood! There's alot to be said for it. I took October off out of habit, and physical need. I ended up doing very little in November and December too, for the same reason. By the end of Dec I was ready to get back on the bike and I was stronger for it - the rest had helped me massively both physically and mentally.

 

[Scoosh]

Been out yet ?

If not, WHY NOT ???

Get your butt on that bike and get riding

!


They do say that the hardest part of any ride is 'from bed to shed' (or your equivalent

).


Set a date/time when you WILL go out and then STICK TO IT. Be a bit stubborn with yourself and GO AND DO IT.
(Remember that there is no such thing as bad weather - only the wrong clothing

)


The forecast for the next few days is looking a bit warmer, so that should help.

 

[ColinJ]

Welcome to CC!

Okay, what I suggest you do is to go back to your Welcome Mat post and edit it. Add something like this:

"Hi, I'm aaaa and I live in/near bbbb and I'd like to meet up with other CycleChat members for forum rides. Are there any in this area? Would anybody like to come out on regular training rides with me? I'm aiming to take part in cccc, dddd, ... this year ... [and so on]"

I've had about 50 CC members come over to Hebden Bridge and join me for rides. It's a great way of meeting new people and motivating yourself to get out.

Other than that, join your local cycling club, assuming that you have one.

 

[ACS]

Where are you located?

How about logging some mileage with us on CC Ecosse group on My Cycling Log, heaven knows we could do it.

Feeling part of something can help with motivation as can meeting up with others of a like mind.

The weather man has hinted the weather is about to become milder, take a chance, pick a nice day, log some miles you never never know perhaps your cycling mojo may just need a little encouragement.

If that does not work then we will just organise a group ride to your place and 'dad dance' at your front gate. The choice is yours

 

[Norm]

I hope that the only reason Numpty hasn't been back here is that he's out riding.

 

[koro]

Hi,

Not everyones cup of tea, but with similar crcumstances to yourself, a turbo trainer is a god send. Best bit, is that you will notice the improvement when you are able to get back on the road...

 

[UphallNumpty]

Morning ,

Just like to say thanks for the reponse ,

Was out yesterday , finally !

A nice flat run to work , not as bad as I thought.

But the condition of the road was terrible which made things intresting

 

[Scoosh]

Do you think you could manage out for a wee spin on Saturday ?

We've got a CC Ecosse (East) RV ride to Craigie's Farm by Dalmeny.


There will be cake

- and buffalo burgers .

Hope you can make it.