I need a pep talk

[rocknrollgirl]

So.... January has been a tough month for this mountain biker. Normally we ride off road twice a week, usually two hours a session. I found found that is the minimum that I can get away with and keep my skills sharp and my legs in shape.

This month, I had a neck injury, and I have only been on my bike 4 times in 4 weeks. I have also focused my training from a mixed bag of off road stuff to off road tri's. What that means is that my training is much more structured, added swimming, increased my running.

So the good news is my swim and running are improving. The bad news is...that I SUCK ON MY MT BIKE!!!!!

Yesterday's ride was a sufferfest. Trails that I have cruised in the past, were absolute torture.

Please tell me it will come back . My neck is healed, and with a few weeks of good riding, it will come right back. Right?

My first race is in May, and it is a gruleing mt bike course...right now I cannot even imagine...

BLAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Veronica]

Of course it will come back. :) May is a long way away. Stay healthy.

V.

[KSH]

I hear ya.

I told myself I would stay on my bike no matter what through winter. Here it is... January is almost over and I have only logged 30 miles on my bike. Not good.

I am scheduled to ride 50 miles today... but sitting here listening to the weather... 32 degrees... with a 15-20 mph wind making the wind chill around 22 degrees. UGH! Just typing that is making me not want to go.

Winter sucks... and yea we do lose some of our fitness over these months. On the upside... others are in the same boat as we are. And when the weather warms up, most of us are all working to get out fitness back.

I know for me... my swimming and running have both improved, just like you. That's good too!

Everything will come back though. No worries. Let your neck rest... and luckily you aren't tempted to ride when the weather is so blah... right?

[KayTee]

One of the crusty "old guys" in our bike club - recently retired from coaching track & field at a local girls' private school and just a phenominally great guy - told me once that he has to have at least 6 "really sh*tty rides" (his term!) early each season before things start to look up...and they eventually do look up. He is a monster on a bike, and everything he's told me so far has been right on. Keeping this in mind has helped me plug along in times like this. Good luck, heal, and you'll be riding fine before you know it!

[rocknrollgirl]

Thanks guys....I know it will get better. Since we are off road riders, there really is no off season, especially round these parts. We ride in the cold, we ride in the snow...we are sort of like the postal service...no matter the weather....

It is always painful when I have been off the bike, even after a vacation in the summer. It just sucks the first couple of rides.

[Wahine]

RnR - Physiologically and neurologically, riding is the easiest of the three disciplines to "come back on". So you're in a good position if your running and swimming are improving. You'll come back on the bike. It won't take long. Just a little consistent time in on the saddle.

[RoadRaven]

It'll come back... May is ages away and you have loads of time to get your fitness back.

Your body remembers what it has had and will respond well to what you will ask of it.

Enjoy your training
:)