Excuses excuses

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Well, I do lots of short rides. I mean really short, 10-15 miles. One day a week I usually do a short ride at 5:30 AM, as I can't commute any more.
If I get one medium-ish ride during the week and one longer ride on the weekend, I'm good, plus a couple of really short ones.
I've lost my riding partner (Hirakukibou) for the summer, as she is leaving on her cross country tour (the nerve of her :)). It's easier for me to go out with her and do 40 miles at 6AM on Wednesdays and be back in time for my afternoon clients. If I do the group ride, it has to be a start place close to where I live and I have to skip the lunch. I will do some of these this summer, but, it stresses me.
I stopped worrying about this stuff after I was sick a few years ago. I spent one summer mostly doing errand rides and I think after that, I realized how quickly miles added up, I started doing more short rides just for fitness.
Between the rides, my classes at the gym, and some hiking, I'm good. I know I get antsy if I miss a couple of days, but sometimes, as my DH says, we want to be "regular" people.

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Out of curiosity, Crankin, how many hours do you work a week? It sounds like your schedule is, in the very least, more flexible than your standard 9 to 5. Not that I think that it's my job that's holding me back--because I've ridden plenty in years with a standard job--but I do envy your ability to ride at least one weekday morning. I'm taking better advantage this summer of a work-from-home option, but thus far, I haven't used either the time I save in the morning with my commute or my lunch hour to work out.

I agree with you that a life change--in your instance, an illness and in mine, a move and marriage--can sometimes change the way you look at your fitness routine. I rely a lot more on running, resistance training, yoga and other shorter workouts than I once did. I'm riding less, but honestly, I'm probably stronger in some respects now. My main goal is consistency week to week, versus bragging rights over a century ride. It's not that I don't miss those long rides and high mileage weeks, but I've had to revise my goals so that they aren't self-defeating and can be more flexibly implemented.

For me, a fitness routine is great and has served me very well at times, but when that routine ends up invoking depression and frustration when I just can't stick to it, then I need to be more flexible with myself because it otherwise can become self-defeating. I keep coming back to my fitness goals with a few tweaks here and there, and that's what matters most over the long haul.

You're right, flexibility is the key. As you, even though the past 2 years I've ridden 3,100 and 3,327 miles, it seems like I am riding less. I set my goal for 2,500, which is what I know I will do, with my normal riding. The difference is my tolerance for cold weather riding has gone up, so my season has been extended, as well as some very warm fall and winter weather. I am in better shape, with more cross training. My running has gone by the wayside, but it seems to be a regular late fall and early to late spring thing for me. When it starts interfering with riding (my legs just get really tired from running), I stop.
Yes, I do have flexibility in my work and this was done purposely. While I had the summers off as a teacher, I didn't ride any more than I do now; even less. The first couple of years I rode, I was still going to step classes. Then I upped my mileage and did group rides, but the only year besides the last 2 that I did over 3K miles was in 2006; again warm weather, a century, and a tour that added in some miles. When I went back to school, I wasn't working the first year and then the 2nd and 3d years I was doing internships 20-25 hours a week and taking classes. I am used to a flexible schedule, so my goal was to get a fee for service job where I could get enough hours for my licensure within the required 2 year period, but work a bit less than full time. I work 80% time in terms of my billable hours, but the program I work in (for most of my clients) allows me to bill for phone calls, meeting, collateral contacts. So, I can be doing my paper work at home, or at night, making phone calls. I only go to my office on M, T, TH and I see just 1-2 clients on W and F, and concentrate on riding or other stuff for myself. I do have weeks where I have meetings at schools for some of the clients or I have to go to the office on those days, but having those 2 days with less work is a life saver for me. Of course, I traded money for time, but until I get my license, this is fine. My DH makes a very good income and I have, after 32 years, allowed myself to be taken care of in a way that would have sent me over the edge before. I worked like crazy for years, teaching, doing committee and curriculum work at school, working in gyms, and teaching religious school for 2 years, so my kids could have what i had growing up. It was worth it, but I never relaxed. I have a different attitude now.

Sounds like a great set-up, Crankin. I'm really happy that yiu ger to enjoy this chapter of your life!

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Sounds like a great set-up, Crankin. I'm really happy that yiu ger to enjoy this chapter of your life!

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My thoughts as well.

Right now my fav excuse is that the house is getting out of control so I need to stay in and get those papers back in order. Of course, I'm also quite fond of telling myself that I need to ride, so I can't deal with the paper clutter today. Excuses are so versatile. :)

@Kathi - Those storms were insane. We're more central than you, it looks like, so we only got the noise, no damage.

I used those storms again as an excuse today, but more because of fear that the path would be slippery and covered with debris from last night's storms, hail, wind, etc. We're under a tornado watch again (and it was a warning till 6) so yeah - I was a little worried about venturing out. Especially because the storms can be so spotty here. It can be straight up sunny in one neighborhood, but 5 miles away be hailing/tornadoes/torrential rain. Plus, the flood watch is directly related to the river my trail runs along.

But it's still maddening.

I'd love to find more people willing to get out in the am, as I am blessed with an open schedule this summer. I'm studying for my comps exams in October, and working only 8 hours a week, so I pretty much have no time-based excuse. I'm leery about biking alone though, for reasons I haven't been able to articulate yet. My boyfriend likes to ride with me, and we do 2-3 decent rides a week, but still - I get a little anxious being solely dependent on him as a riding partner. When my best friend lived here, we'd ride (she was my ride partner for my first 1/2 century last year) but she's gone now. (boohoo!!)

2 jobs is my excuse. And nearly weekly traveling. But I enjoy the jobs and most of the trips are short. I can get a good ride in one hour from my house. Intervals help.

In reference to Crankin's and Indy's comments about life circumstances changing our riding focus, I'm much more inclined to trade non-essential responsibilities for riding time after being in a leg cast last fall. Now I appreciate riding sooooo much that I'll live in a messy house if it means that I can sneak in a few more rides that week.

I don't ride when thunder and lightning storms are threatening, though, and I never feel like I "whimped out" even if the storm doesn't materialize.

Weather is a big one. I still can't tolerate the heat/humidity of coastal eastern NC in the summer without doing anything other than walking to my car, to the house, store, whatever. I swear this is a harder adjustment from moving from Charlotte (more foothills) to the coast than it was from Ohio to Charlotte as far as summer heat and humidity. Plus in Charlotte there was a most definite fall and spring (not as long as up north, but still there). It's not nearly like that here. Also my ears cannot take any wind at all. On a non windy day I have to wear ear protection, so if it gets too windy, they just can't take it.

I don't ride in the rain, either. Sure, I've been caught out there, but I don't like it at all. Threatening storms, well, I watch the radar, but I also don't feel badly if I don't go and nothing happens. I'll either get on my treadmill, run in the rain, or go to the gym. Wind, well, it's usually only an issue here after a big rain storm, typically early spring or in the fall. I also watch for early AM black ice on the edges of the road, in the early spring/late winter, as that's what caused my friend to crash and break his hip.

Hey my fellow CO TE friends..those storms sure have been crazy. That is one thing that keeps me inside. Although I have been commuting by bike and in the past have made it home just before the big ones hit.

Aritsta, I am with you on the "messy" house can wait idea. I would rather have fun and experiences rather then a very neat and orderly house. My house is clean..just a little disorganized.

I work with the older population in a rehab setting and see how life is way too short and that I need to take the time now while my body is "young" to ride, bike, hike, climb..etc because before I know it it will wear me out just to get dressed or cook a meal.

Right now the river water levels are high with record snowfall packs melting from the Rockies and flowing into the river in our area. So excuses..is the pleasant routes I want to take get blocked off, with some squirrely detours.

A hassle for a work commute. This will go on for next few wks. Some of my fitness rides following such routes since other areas of city are not as pleasant for cycling.

After living 'n cycling in Vancouver, I find I was more accustomed riding in drizzling/moderate rain here than I realized.

But lightning and thunder, no.

And have become accustomed to being happy cycling in very cold temp. as long as there is no ice/snow. Meaning -20 degrees C.

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Originally Posted by solobiker

I work with the older population in a rehab setting and see how life is way too short and that I need to take the time now while my body is "young" to ride, bike, hike, climb..etc because before I know it it will wear me out just to get dressed or cook a meal.

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Probably not as long as you continue to bike, hike, climb, etc.

Yes, Wednesday's storm was brutal. It's Friday morning and we still have unmelted hail in our yard even after getting to about 80 degrees yesterday. I hope that it stays dry for the rest of the weekend so that we can mtn bike. Otherwise I may have to work on those non-essential responsibilities.

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Originally Posted by Artista

Otherwise I may have to work on those non-essential responsibilities.

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That's what I'm doing today, grrr. The cleaning lady is coming, and I cannot sit around and study while she's here, so I end up cleaning the parts of the house that she isn't doing....So today is going to be inside cleaning. I think tomorrow we'll do a ride, and we're definitely up for the IS-GT ride on Sunday. Hopefully some other CO TE gals will be there?

It's tough for us, because we started biking together, essentially, and we are both students. Boyfriend is taking 6 credits and working full time (and currently trying to beat Diablo 3 :rolleyes: )and I'm supposed to be doing my reading, keeping the house clean, and working at the archive this summer. Wednesday's storm threw my whole schedule off. Blar.

(and my yard - crikey. It's a mess even without the storm, but that's another thing I need to work on that's non-essential but essential. We're hosting a big bbq for friends in July and we currently have a dirt yard with weeds. Um....)

No excuse today....took a much needed day off from work and went for a mtn bike ride. Tomorrow I hope to get in a long run then do so cleaning..

Beer.

Beer is my excuse for not riding.

At least, if it's accompanied by the company of friends I don't get to see often enough!