It's killing me but..........

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I have to say that when I first saw your post of this decision it stunned me. I suppose from an onlooker's point of view I was seeing a guy that seemed totally focused on a specific goal, but there are many things we readers don't see about each other.

Even though I don't practice it myself because I am no longer officially competing in an activity I do believe in sports specific training as much as possible. However, you may be like me and there are sides of you I have not seen yet in your posts and one of mine is to enjoy life and enjoy training the way I want now that I am retired from competition. For me I love weight training first and foremost and then I began doing this "taboo" thing "cycling" which most people trying to hold onto muscle mass do not do. If I were to try to go back to bodybuilding or powerlifting I would have to drop cycling and become completely sport specific to either of those activities.

It's like you say there is a decision to make and you do not have to commit to one or the other, but changing course now I have to imagine a drop in cycling performance over a period of time.

Best wishes to either choice.
Have fun in life should be the main goal.:)The problem is FR, with all due respect you are somewhat younger than me and I imagine see things in a slightly different way. This whole running thing was/is to prove to myself I can still do it. (I used to sleep, eat and drink running) There is no way I would ever return to running as I'm addicted to cycling now.
However, I did think one last fling would not have too greater an adverse effect on my cycling. RD soon put that idea to rest though. To set myself back 2-3 months is totally unacceptable, so I've lowered my sights vis-a-vis the 10km run. I was going to hammer it but have decided to coast round at 7 minute mile pace just for the fun of competing one last time. Then it's back fully to the grindstone and an FTP of 300Watts. :D TYSON

The problem is FR, with all due respect you are somewhat younger than me and I imagine see things in a slightly different way. This whole running thing was/is to prove to myself I can still do it. (I used to sleep, eat and drink running) There is no way I would ever return to running as I'm addicted to cycling now.
However, I did think one last fling would not have too greater an adverse effect on my cycling. RD soon put that idea to rest though. To set myself back 2-3 months is totally unacceptable, so I've lowered my sights vis-a-vis the 10km run. I was going to hammer it but have decided to coast round at 7 minute mile pace just for the fun of competing one last time. Then it's back fully to the grindstone and an FTP of 300Watts. :D TYSONAbout this time last year, Andy Coggan posted his winter workout routine (100% trainer IIRC). Its purpose was to maintain most of his FTP, VO2MAX and AWC, with fewer hours on the bike. I recall ~3 rides per week of ~1 hour each ride. I also recall that his power targets were 90% of his MPs from the prior season. I'll try to find that post because I think his routine is just about perfect for your goals after your upcoming ride.

Tyson, the one thing about you that has caught my attention is your attitude is awesome because your philosophy about training, your heart for training, your discipline for training is much like my own if not more.

You are an inspiration just by your desire to keep pushing hard.

In my real world of whiners that state goals, but put 10% into the effort it is refreshing to me to come here and read about people that state a goal and actually go for it with real heart. That is why I tend to spend time on this thread mostly because of the positive attitudes about training. I want to surround myself with positive thinking people.

Tyson, the one thing about you that has caught my attention is your attitude is awesome because your philosophy about training, your heart for training, your discipline for training is much like my own if not more.

You are an inspiration just by your desire to keep pushing hard.

In my real world of whiners that state goals, but put 10% into the effort it is refreshing to me to come here and read about people that state a goal and actually go for it with real heart. That is why I tend to spend time on this thread mostly because of the positive attitudes about training. I want to surround myself with positive thinking people.Shhhh, don't talk about goals, RD might be listening. :D

Actually FR, it's quite simple. Being able to turn the power on and off at will. is for me anyway an exhilerating experience. To give you an example if I may.

Two Sundays ago I saw I cyclist about half a mile ahead of me on a climb.
So I dug deep and chased him down. The climb was actually in 2 parts with a slight downhill in between. On the second part I noticed I was going uphill at 24kph (normally on that hill 18kph) and I came up behind him 30 feet from the brow. The guy was built like a brick shit house (pardon my French) with thighs and calves twice my size. As I passed him I said good morning and off I went.

However, after another half mile there's a 150 meter sharp climb and I hammered up it, and when I looked round there the bugger was 15 feet behind me. I thought I'll lose him on the long downhill and ramped it up to 65kph and still he was there. When we came to some lights I took a bit of a risk and went through on red and still he was shadowing me.

Then I got angry and really put my foot down on the 2 mile flat ahead. The sensation of ramping up the power and ramping up again and again until he died was awesome.

Never saw him again after that.;) Back in the early part of this year, the above would have been impossible, he probably would have massacred me. In fact, I would never have caught him in the first place.

THAT'S WHY ALL THE SWEAT AND SHORTING OUT OF THE ELECTRICS ON THE BIKE IN THE GYM IS WORTHWHILE. :D TYSON

Then I got angry and really put my foot down on the 2 mile flat ahead. The sensation of ramping up the power and ramping up again and again until he died was awesome.

Never saw him again after that.;) Back in the early part of this year, the above would have been impossible, he probably would have massacred me. In fact, I would never have caught him in the first place.

THAT'S WHY ALL THE SWEAT AND SHORTING OUT OF THE ELECTRICS ON THE BIKE IN THE GYM IS WORTHWHILE. :D TYSONI love it!!!
I hope I can do something of that sort next spring and I am making a good effort early each morning, but the main problem for me at the moment is using a commercial spin bike with no data output. However, I am starting to experience a positive difference on the road.

It's great to be a newbie at a different type of training where I can see a positive difference even with haphazard training at least for the moment until I can get a PM of some sort. :D

I remember my first year of weight training about 24 years ago. I went from a 115 lb. sophmore in college to 140 lbs in less than a year and then it took a very long time to finally get up to 190. I have stretch marks all over from the fast growth that first few years. All I have so far on my venture of cycling on the first year of record is a good case of road rash, a hematoma and memories of skinny guys dropping me like I was standing still.:D

I hope I can do something of that sort next spring and I am making a good effort early each morning, but the main problem for me at the moment is using a commercial spin bike with no data output. However, I am starting to experience a positive difference on the road.
Can't you just look over the shoulder of the lady in front of you? Does she have power on her spin bike? :D

I'm almost ashamed to admit now that there's no better feeling than riding someone off my wheel: it seems so egotistical and barbaric.:o I never used to feel that way -- preferring the teamwork and benefit that riders experience by working efficiently together, instead -- but I've changed in the last year. I don't usually worry about the guy behind me, and stick to my own training goals instead, but sometimes I can just read that guy's mind and sense his confidence and self-satisfaction growing as a result of my work. It's at that time that I feel compelled to cut him lose so that he understands the real picture. What sadistic joy there is in slowly twisting and twisting the vice on that guy until he cracks. And then if they grunt, moan, or cry-out when they break -- well, that's just icing on the cake. :D It's a sickness, really. :(

Frenchy, why can't Lucy appreciate these hammerfest:confused::D

I'm almost ashamed to admit now that there's no better feeling than riding someone off my wheel ... It's a sickness, really. :(I must admit that I get a similar satisfaction out of dropping people on climbs. On my club rides, I usually hang back so that I start the climb toward the back of the lead group. Early in the climb, I just stay with them until a little fatigue sets in. Then, I gradually pick up the pace and see who tries to stay with me. It's great to look at their faces as it gets more intense. And when I can ride away near the top and accelerate one last time to open a huge gap is very satisfying.:D

Frenchy, why can't Lucy appreciate these hammerfest:confused::DQue que? How did I get pulled into this mélange? :rolleyes:

Frenchy, why can't Lucy appreciate these hammerfest:confused::D
I guess they call it Alpha *Male* for a reason. :D :o Really, I think it just takes a lot of time and hard work for it to sink in. It's fun to ride by oneself, but one doesn't need to train to enjoy that.

It's not like I show up at rides looking to trash people, but sometimes something will just set me off, or maybe I just want to stretch my legs for a few minutes and someone will grab my wheel, then I just can't help it.:mad: Heck, I can't even blame it on drugs.... :o

On my club rides, I usually hang back so that I start the climb toward the back of the lead group. Early in the climb, I just stay with them until a little fatigue sets in. Then, I gradually pick up the pace and see who tries to stay with me.
Yeah, it's fun pulling a paceline around by its tail. Plus, it puts the leader at the back of the line rather than making him grab my wheel, so it's a little 'nicer' with regards to etiquette. Manners matter too. :)

How did I get pulled into this mélange? :rolleyes:
Mélange? Is that French for testosterone laden ego-fest? :p

Mélange? Is that French for testosterone laden ego-fest? :p
It might be but regardless it has lead me to do 100% of my training in, no-man's land....;)

It might be but regardless it has lead me to do 100% of my training in, no-man's land....;)
:) I hear you, but I don't think you'll find the women racers to be any different, or certainly not any better in that respect. I'm guessing that by the time you've spent all winter reading books, trying to figure things out, and working your butt off trying to get better, the last thing you'll want is to finish in a pack with all the people who aren't as good or haven't worked as hard. It'll take the right frame of mind to make all that work worth while, and that's what changed for me last year.

I don't so much generalize cyclists riding styles as male or female now, as much as racer or non-racer. There are women on my team that I'm as happy to work with as any of the guys.

:) I hear you, but I don't think you'll find the women racers to be any different, or certainly not any better in that respect. I'm guessing that by the time you've spent all winter reading books, trying to figure things out, and working your butt off trying to get better, the last thing you'll want is to finish in a pack with all the people who aren't as good or haven't worked as hard. It'll take the right frame of mind to make all that work worth while, and that's what changed for me last year.

I don't so much generalize cyclists riding styles as male or female now, as much as racer or non-racer. There are women on my team that I'm as happy to work with as any of the guys.Maybe women racers are the same as the guys, I can't really say - nor am I particularly concerned with anyone else's mindset. Inasmuch, you may be correct about thinking of riders more along the lines of racers vs. recreational.

I've never been motivated by beating other people, in any endeavor. It just doesn't bring me any particular joy or satisfaction. Moreover, I don't care for the notion of someone winning and everyone else being a loser, runner-up, or what have you.

My motivation is entirely from within, which is to improve, do my best, and achieve my potential - however high, low, or trivial it may be. That's what keeps me going.

Lucy, I can appreciate that stance. I was just messing with you. :)

My motivation is entirely from within, which is to improve, do my best, and achieve my potential - however high, low, or trivial it may be. That's what keeps me going.Maybe we should bookmark this post and revisit it next spring when you have some power. There are lots of good women riders around here and I've noticed that they seem to get a wry smile on their faces when we approach climbs where their power/weight ratio puts them at an advantage. Now, maybe their motivation is entirely from within but it sure seems as though they enjoy trying to ride me off their wheels.;)

Lucy, I can appreciate that stance. I was just messing with you. :)
Ha! Having a dig were we? :rolleyes:

That's fine, I didn't get the least bit offended or annoyed. :)

I am however, being sincere in expressing what motivates me and such.

Maybe we should bookmark this post and revisit it next spring when you have some power. There are lots of good women riders around here and I've noticed that they seem to get a wry smile on their faces when we approach climbs where their power/weight ratio puts them at an advantage. Now, maybe their motivation is entirely from within but it sure seems as though they enjoy trying to ride me off their wheels.;)Worse than that as I was trying my best to hang with the fast group this past weekend and the two girls that ride in that group were sitting behind me when I was attempting to make a pull and they were taunting me:o

They were having fun with me being the weak link the whole ride.

I was struggling to breathe and they were making jokes.
It was like the cheetah's playing with their prey for two hours before they kill it.

Maybe we should bookmark this post and revisit it next spring when you have some power. There are lots of good women riders around here and I've noticed that they seem to get a wry smile on their faces when we approach climbs where their power/weight ratio puts them at an advantage. Now, maybe their motivation is entirely from within but it sure seems as though they enjoy trying to ride me off their wheels.;)
Heh....by all means, pull out the bookmark and we'll set a little reminder for hmmm, May or so? :)

I'm not going to delve into the reasons I have for thinking as I do, but suffice to say, I have a lot of conviction about not riding for the sake of winning or beating others. That being something, I am suspecting many people on this forum, have a hard time grasping

Worse than that as I was trying my best to hang with the fast group this past weekend and the two girls that ride in that group were sitting behind me when I was attempting to make a pull and they were taunting me:o

They were having fun with me being the weak link the whole ride.

I was struggling to breathe and they were making jokes.
It was like the cheetah's playing with their prey for two hours before they kill it.FR - that sounds rather forgettable. I find the idea of taunting other riders rather repugnant....