Disheartened, Discouraged, and Disgusted...

CycleTexas

I am posting this for all cyclists because I know life circumstances can put a halt on training. This post is meant as an aid and not a means to vent. Here it goes:

I started cycling 6 months ago and fell in love with the sport. I picked up a cyclists training bible and followed it religiously. I was enamored with everything that had to do with cycling (even taking my bike apart and cleaning everything down to the last sprocket). I would get up 3 days a week at 6 AM, cycle until 8 and go to my morning classes, come home and weight train at night. I knew about burnout cases and had the discipline to know when the day's training was satisfactory. I was eating 50 miles, 3 times a week no problem. On Saturday's I would go for around 70. I roughly averaged 18 mph. And kept track of every ride on excel spreadsheets. I don't mean to boast, but I was very impressed with my performance for only a few months of training. I was doing all of this up until about a month and a half ago when I came down with a very serious eye infection which left me out of the saddle. The doctor highly recommended I do not ride on the road for at least a month. I wasn't going to let this beat me up so I would go to the university gym and cycle on the machines. It just wasn't the same at all. I did this for a week and couldn't take it any longer. I was starting to give up on myself more and more, but at the time was too headstrong to see it. It started showing up in everything that I did. I was stuck at home the majority of the day and developed an addiction to online gambling. I would frequent the optometrists office praying that my eye was healing but to my disgust it had only gotten worse. My eye was having an allergic reaction to the prescribed drops administered by my doctor. At this point I started giving up on myself. On top of the stresses from gambling losses, lack of sleep, poor health, an infected eye and no training, final exams were closely arriving. The signs were everywhere that something was wrong with my new lifestyle. My roommates began to worry about me and temporarily took my computer away until I gained some self control with my issues, which now I thank them for. The last few weeks of school I became a recluse and was severely depressed. I thought to myself, "How could this happen?", and "There's no way I can recover from this". Needless to say, finals ended and my grades were decent at best. I came home 2 weeks ago and have finally got my eye taken care of. Two days ago I stirred up the courage to hop on my bike to see if I had anything left in me. I struggled the whole time. Short of breath, cramped, and sick to my heart, I finished 20 miles at a 17 mph pace. I felt like crying inside. Today I got on again and went 15 miles at 18 mph completely spent. I need a change now and am not the type to post my problems on here, but I've had enough of this bullshit and am ready to get back to business. I am looking for any advice or words of encouragement, maybe share a story or two. All things aside, I know everyone on here has a place in their heart for the sport and can shed a little light on my situation. Thanks

curlew

CycleTexas,

What's the goal you are aiming for? Is there a race this spring that you want to do well in? I just looked at the weather for a random city in Texas for next week. Everyday its going to be sunny and in the 70's. It's still early in January. With a reasonably consistent effort targeting your weaknesses there is still plenty of time for you to be a much different rider in April than you are today. The days are getting longer, there is good weather in your part of the country, you have time outside of classes and studying for training if you choose to spend your free time this way and there is plenty of good advice in this forum to put together a good training plan.

So...what's the goal? What do you want to do this spring and summer on a bike that has the power to pull you away from the computer and get you on your bike?

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wiredued

Sounds like you are doing everything right eye sight is more important you will have road blocks to your goals from time to time just try and maintain as much fitness during those times as possible if you can't do that then enjoy the time off but choose a less expensive hobby than gambling. Don't use a high pain threshold to guide the intensity of your workouts keep heart rate under threshold and build fitness with workouts that can be repeated three times a week.

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Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. http://www.earnharts.com/html/reala...ecific.asp?id=3

dhk2

Sounds to me like you're comparing yourself to some perfect athlete who makes constant progress, never gets sick, injured, or distracted by real life. That person doesn't exist, period. All you're doing by setting false goals is setting yourself up for more failure and depression.

Your statement that you're "ready to get back to business" says a lot. That statement might make sense for a pro cyclist, but that's certainly not you. If you've got the notion that next season you'll become competitive with guys your age who been training and racing for years, suggest you need to check your ego.

Besides, cycling isn't your job, college is. You've got plenty of goals and deadlines set for you in school; the last thing you need is self-imposed and arbitrary goals for your recreational time. Forget the stress, throw out the "training bible", the excel spreadsheets, and the bike computer if necessary.

To start enjoying the sport, give yourself permission to go as slow or as fast as you like at any time, and only ride when you want to. Remember that lots of happy and healthy riders, myself included, rarely (or never) average 18 mph. After decades of riding, I've learned that's not how enjoyment of the sport is measured.

Felt_Rider

Many of us if not most of us have events (injuries, parenting, work, etc.) that at times will interfere with training and we will go through a period of detraining. Others like Alex Simmons (who lost his leg) have even more to overcome, but they continue to look forward to the future and with faith know that the days are ahead to again excel with effort. I went through a slump after my crash in September, but know I feel as strong as I did before the crash. I also had frustrating rides by getting dropped by my group, but most of them knew what I went through so I received encouragement and normally one of the group would drop back and ride with me. I kept my vision looking ahead and not focusing on the past. Look to the future days and if possible make incremental steps to get back to the shape you once had.

li rider

Your riding should be a release from the rest of your worries.

Turn off the computer, both on your desk and on your bike, and just go ride. Pick a route that is fun and different. just go enjoy yourself. Then after the relaxing hour or 2 away fromt he world, go tackle your day. The endorphins will do their magic for you.

Wait for the spring, then go back to your training if you want. but 1 day a week, just ride for fun.

Sillyoldtwit

Hello!

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