Back to reality!!

[missymaya]

So, Saturday I was able to hand with the A group (easily 28mph+) for almost the entire route and was very proud of myself. Of course, I rode 78 miles on Sunday at 19mph average, a quick 30 mile with top speeds up to 25mph and Tues I rode 30 at an easier pace on my commuter. Yeah, I was feeling great and eating well and getting enough sleep so I could get ready for the super fast group on Wed. I go to ride and right off the bat, I was intimidated, even though I knew better:rolleyes: I was surrounded by guys on really nice bikes and wearing team gear and here's little me on my winkydink bike that's falling apart, not matching. Yeah, I know that's ridiculous, but Im being honest here. I calmed myself down and we were off. I was doing well for the first couple of miles and then we turned onto Lk Pickett road and off they went at 24 mph and yet I couldn't keep up. I tried and tried to catch the group but only to my disappointment they sped off only while I slowed down:( . I turned and headed back home, pushing myself hard with the feeling of being broken surrounding my mind. I got home, took a shower, and talked to BF and we rationally talked that this: the group was just super fast and I can be feeling the wrath of tiredness. But, I still feel really crapped out and coming down off the great high from this weekend's rides. I'll just rest tomorrow and start prepping for Saturday's fast ride. I still want to be fast to where I can hang with the Wed. group, its just not gonna happen in a week:rolleyes: .

[Zen]

Don't let them psych you out with clothes and equipment. You can put lipstick and a dress on a hog but it's still a hog.

If you think you can, you can (and you've already proven you can).
Get rested, get ready, and GO!

[TrekJeni]

Don't let those dumb boys intimidate you!

Jeni
(who's NOT doing our teams Tuesday night "rampage" cause I'm scared crapless I'm going to get spit out the back faster than you can say GO cause the normal average is 30+ for more than 15 miles - BUT I WILL, before the season is over!) :D :D :D

[smilingcat]

men/boys have one ingredient in their competitive behavior that we don't normally have. They like to intimidate one another... So remain cool, smile at them and go okie-dokie a huh!! And enjoy the ride.

If its of any consolation, think about this.

My brother-in-law belongs to a club and he is one of the "big" boys in the A group. They tend to be competitive even on their training rides and sometimes it gets tad out of hand.

A new guy was trying to prove that he belonged and quite a jerk. He had taken off ahead of the lead on several outings and had been warned. My brother in law gave him a wrong route slip one day and he and all his friends hung back and let the fool take off. The jerk went straight and they made a turn and punched. The jerk ended up riding solo for the day. Now that's :( sad. The new guy appearently didn't learn his lesson. So which is worse? to be spit out of the back in part of their intimidation or be deliberately lost. Its possible too that the guys may have gone out fast just to shake you.

[ehirsch83]

good job going out there! very impressed.
just a thought though, on that last ride, when you couldn't keep up and you are figuring it is b/c they are intimidated.
What about it being overtraining? not resting inbetween your big rides and that ride.

I know if I was to do what you had done my legs would not be taking me anywhere!!(last year I was riding my bike, doing spin classes, and riding the horses and I had the same problem that you did! I have now dropped the spin classes and make sure that I have 2 good off days a week from everything)

[missymaya]

Thanks for the luv y'all. I know that jerseys, gear and nice bikes is nothing to be intimidated, I just got more nervous than I should have. I think I'm just gonna keep going just to push myself until I can hang. This morning my legs were in pain from all of the work so today I'm not riding and tomorrow will be a slow-medium pace. I think I'm a little tired too, which of course will have an effect on my riding. Again, thanks for the thoughts and I'm just gonna keep going.