I think I burned myself out!

[KSH]

So... during the summer months... when it was 100F... I was riding around 100 miles/3 times a week.

Now, that the weather has cooled off... to a low 80F... I haven't been riding.

First I had the "excuse" of training for a 1/2 marathon... but 2 weeks ago, I had to relinquish that goal... due to accute and persistent ligament pain... and well, just sucking at running any distance over 3 miles.

The days have been beautiful... and I have had NOTHING else to do... but yet... I find myself sleeping in and skipping meeting up with my cycling groups! Gosh, this past Sunday, there wasn't any wind... and it was around 80F... and I slept in and went shopping!

Yep, I think I burned myself out. I just can't find the "I want to go out and ride today" motivation again!

[Lise]

I know what you mean. After the Oly tri I did mid-August, I did a 100K ride, and then focused only on running, training for the 1/2 & full marathons. I didn't ride my bike again until late October, nearly two months. I felt almost fearful about getting back on the bike, although I don't know why.

but when I did....whoo! What was I waiting for? I love riding my bike! I'll bet one day you just get on, and wonder why you ever stopped. Not to worry. Take care, Lise

[crazycanuck]

I have the opposite problem....Summer's here (i think..it was 34c today...) and when i get home it's nice just to sit outside and let my mind wander...Then i realize i'm just fluffing and have to get on my bike...

Ahhhh..summer...but where's winter when you want it for christmas...

c

[Technotart]

Wanna go ride this weekend? Lara got a new bike, Im game even if its cold!

[DirtDiva]

Ahhhh..summer...but where's winter when you want it for christmas...
You might well want a white Christmas, but you know you can't beat a summer New Year!

[CorsairMac]

It could also just be an adjustment period due to the shorter days. My riding has also dropped way off but it's colder now, it takes more clothes to keep me warm on (and off) the bike and with commuting I don't feel like taking 10 mins 4x a day to change clothes, plus I'm "nesting" more: knitting, sleeping a little bit later on the weekends, wanting to settle down more than be active. I'd say just go with your body flow - it'll let you know when it's ready to be active again!

[Yasmin]

Hi all. I've hit a "flat spot" too. Haven't been on my bike (or done any sport) for 9 days! Admittedly I'm battling a virus...worst I've had for 10 years, but I can't blame the weather or anything else. Not good training when I'm meant to be cycling 200km (approx 125miles)this Sunday.

[Technotart]

Between darker earlier, a bit of cold here and there and my semester winding up and then down, I have ridden all of about 4 times in the past 2-3 mos...

But I still love it! I still want to do it - I totally relate to the nesting thing - I'm really enjoying staying indoors too...

[Trekhawk]

I have the opposite problem....Summer's here (i think..it was 34c today...) and when i get home it's nice just to sit outside and let my mind wander...Then i realize i'm just fluffing and have to get on my bike...

Ahhhh..summer...but where's winter when you want it for christmas...

c

Winter at Xmas will be a novelty for me and kinda nice but I will miss a laze on the beach for boxing day. :)

[Running Mommy]

Glad it's not just me...
I've been fighting w/ myself to stay on track. I got off track mid October when I got a nasty case of rotavirus and couldn't function for nearly two weeks. Then I got back to full speed and last week I pulled a ligament in my back bending over to change a flat on my bike. It's still kinda bugging me, but not so much that I can't ride or run... But my heart is just not into it! I want to start my holiday baking, and I think my nesting instinct is setting in. That would be well and fine, but I have an Ironman in early April I'm suppose to be training for! UGH!! It's just been a battle! I keep finding myself saying "WHY did you sign up for an early Im??"...

[Lise]

That would be well and fine, but I have an Ironman in early April I'm suppose to be training for! UGH!! It's just been a battle! I keep finding myself saying "WHY did you sign up for an early Im??"...
Ahh, you'll get back into training. It's great that you signed up for an early IM, because you will train over the winter. You're just feeling sick and sore right now. Hang in there. L.

[crazycanuck]

Trekhawk..if we were in nz we'd be at the beach ...(tlkiwi-ohope is my fave...) or biking in Rotovegas... This year we're driving to melbourne to visit friends & will have a huge bbq i think...

If anyone can make a snowman and post a photo here for me, please do...

c

[On_yer_left!]

I've been sort of off for two months or so .. just a couple of rides, no gym workouts. I think I needed a break, as I did several centuries, a week-long tour of the rockies and a killer called the triple bypass (120 miles over three mountain passes) during the summer. My body's demanding some off-time, it seems, so that's what I'm doing. But I don't feel as good or as energetic these days, and I miss that. Seem much more prone to depressive states and lethargy.

Enough's enough! Gotta get my expanding a** back in gear... Wish there were more of you here in Colorado to ride with!

[DeniseGoldberg]

It's certainly OK to take some time off!

I find that setting goals for myself helps keep me on my bike - especially as we lose daylight and warm weather. I actually brought my bike with me today - it's waiting in my car hoping along with me that we get the 60 degree weather (last blast of warmth) that's forecast for today and hoping even more that the current fog/mist dries out so I can take a lunchtime ride! But the goal I'm trying to reach right now is to get 4000 miles in by the end of the year. It's well within my sight - only 158 miles left - but at this point it's very weather dependent...

Of course it's quite possible that knowing I have to take advantage of nice weather when it comes - given that winter is on its way - helps keep me motivated. I assume that you're somewhere in the southern US given your statement that it was 80 degrees (we haven't seen that kind of temps here in the northeast for a while...). I have a natural weather-driven down period, although I do try to ride on the weekends year-round. I stay inside when the roads are salt and snow-covered though. But being in a place where the weather nicely supports cycling for more (all?) of the year means that you have control over your lighter cycling time periods. Which also means that you need to allow yourself to take breaks based on your own desires and not the dictate of the weather wizard!

It sounds to me like you have accomplished a great deal with this year's cycling, and you deserve a break / rest!

--- Denise

[JLD]

Maybe you've just done enough for this year's season? And need the rest?.........Here--its is more disappointing--we had a bit of snow and freezing rain yesterday--and now more rain--but soon the snow comes--and I take it one day at a time--because I am not convinced I want to get off the saddle and start using foot power and local bus transport. But no doubt--when I settle into the season-it will also do me some good to get a rest. But for you-congratulations are your past season of riding. :)

[KSH]

Wanna go ride this weekend? Lara got a new bike, Im game even if its cold!

Thanks for the invite! Unfortunately, the boyfriend doesn't have a football game on Saturday... so we will be hanging out together. Then... Sunday... I will be hung over (going out Saturday night)!

Plus... it's really cold now! I have a spiffy new jacket I need to break in... but.... not sure I'm ready to do it just yet!

Have a good ride with Lara!

[KSH]

To everyone else who replied... thanks so much! I don't feel so guilty now! Ha!


I felt almost fearful about getting back on the bike, although I don't know why.

Well, the fear I have... is that I know I will be slow and tired... and that's going to suck!