Is three minutes a good improvement on TT?

[yogabear]

Hi gals,

I did a time trial this past weekend and when I compared it to my time last year, I improved 3 minutes. Everyone, including my coach said it was an amazing improvement, but for me, it's just not good enough :(

I still came in last place in my category. I still was in the bottom portion overall of all the racers. I don't really care what others think, but I think I just suck!

It was super windy too this year, so I know I did great, but I still feel like a slow poke. I'm stupid too because I didn't ride in the drops...I rode the hoods the whole time and I don't use aerobars, etc. I'm so not a time trialist...

I'm trying so hard not to think I suck :(

It's really my first year of properly training for road racing. Others tell me I'm on my way, but I guess I'll find out when I do the first road race of the year in a couple of weeks. I am so used to being dropped and seeing my name in last place...It's hard for me to shift into a more positive outlook about this year :(

I keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone to do better, including riding in group rides and other things like working on my bike skills and handling...I've come a far way, but it is hard to be a perfectionist...I'm hard on myself I guess...

Feeling crappy,
Lisa

[Dianyla]

Your TT time improvement is a very real tangible accomplishment. But you might want to talk to someone about your self-esteem, you're really cutting yourself down here. The worst thing about negative self-talk is that we eventually believe it to be true. I've been to therapy many times and I still find the negative thoughts trying to sneak back every now and then.

What are your motivations for bicycling, and specifically for racing? I mean, if racing just turns into an exercise in self-flagellation, maybe you should take a little break and just ride hard for pleasure for a while. You may actually improve times when you're not focusing so hard on them and blaming yourself for any perceived failures.

Hang in there. :)

[RoadRaven]

First of all, YogaBear... listen to what Dianyla says and stop dissing yourself.

OK, so you want to get better and improve... great - thats what most of us here want for ourselves. But please change the way you tell yourself this...

3 minutes is a marvellous improvement... remember, no-one starts racing in the top category/grade... you need to gain experience in the races you like, experience in riding with others, build your strength, your endurance... I have read and heard that to get to a reasonable level in racing you should be building your base for 2-3 years...

As for time improvements... to begin, your improvements will be in minutes, but as you get fitter and stronger, your imrpovements will be measured in a minute, or just seconds...

As you go faster, you have to increase your power output... so improvements become harder and harder... but they are absolutely worth it...

Keep telling us about your rides and races, we wnat to hear and to cheer!

[yogabear]

I hear you guys and thanks so much for helping me to look at myself.

I am usually a very positive person. It's just been a tough road for me with my racing...I want to do well so badly. I rode a bike for 7 years that was too big for me and caused me pain. Then, I battled chronic fatigue syndrome, along with some non-biking related injuries and accidents. So, I guess at least from all of that, I have a killer base to work from due to all of my base miles LOL, along with some mental toughness training there too :)

Last year, I raced and came in last place in every race I did except for one. I know it takes a while to get strength back and such, but it was so hard for me emotionally. I realized that I've been everyone else's cheerleader and support, but when it comes time for it to be reciprocated, no one I have cared about for so many years has been there to cheer me on...except my Cat 2 racer husband and my message board friends here (thanks and hugs!). I realized I race for me and that's it...I can't care what anyone else does or doesn't do.

I've been a successful athlete in running and mtn. biking, so I have hope, but I am 34 so I can't just get there overnight any more :(

I keep on keeping on, so I guess that is all that matters. I am just waiting for things to get better for me...It feels like it's taken an eternity to just make a small amount of progress. I've worked so hard and been through so much, I just like to have those glimmers of hope now and then.

Thanks for the support and letting me vent :)

Bear hugs,
Lisa

[Eden]

Think about it this way. More than likely 90% of women out there don't ever ride a bike, likewise I'd bet 99.9% of women out there haven't even tried to enter a bicycle race, and you are doing it. You have already made quite an achievement.

[CorsairMac]

is 3 mins a good improvement?? HE** YEAH!!! There are ppl that would give their eyeteeth to shave 30 secs off their time! You GO my friend!!! Excellent Time!!!