Have you seen my mojo?

It's prime riding season down here (since it's not 8 million degrees in the shade anymore), and I don't care. I miss riding my bike, but I don't want to, if that makes any sense. I haven't really ridden my bike in ages (piriformis)--they're really expensive wall art right now and covered in a layer of dust. I've tried finding other replacements for riding (namely, running), but that hasn't gone anywhere either (piriformis again, and I don't find it fun). Then of course I feel guilty for not riding by bike and for not exercising and for not wanting to exercise either. :rolleyes:

Anyone got any tips for getting out of a funk like this?

I did put the rear wheel back on the Iguana and adjust its brakes, so there's that.

My advice is to go with it, don't chastise yourself, and try new things. I am sort of going through this now, although I've been able to force myself both on the bike for short rides and to do other stuff. However, in the past, when I've been in the "want to" but then once I get on the bike, I just complain and want to be done (usually because of injury) phase, I do short, utility or destination rides. I spent one whole summer mostly riding to farm stands, errands, appointments, with a few regular rides thrown in. Your body is telling you it's time to rest; are you getting any PT?
Could you get to a yoga class on a regular basis? Do some hiking? I know U of A has a good fitness center, etc. You still have a few months until the evil heat starts up again.

What Crankin said. Maybe try getting into the pool, knocking out laps if you're not a swimmer might make your bike seem pretty appealing. :p

How about just really easy spin for 5 minutes on a trainer? That may calm your guit feeling and not be too painful. And if its only on one side then just do one foot pedaling and let the painful one just hang there.

As for mojo? I usually see mojo's heading for the nearest dark cave for most people. Takes bit of coaxing to get them to come out. Ya know. see its own shadow and gets scared.

don't beat yourself up. It happens to all of us at some point. There were times when I was in tears to go to my ski training.

You could plan a short ride, and see how you feel once you get out there.

I often do not feel like going for a ride, but I go anyway because my friends are there, and after 15-20 minutes the fog lifts from my brain and I'm quite happy. I just need to push through the inertia to started.

Or you could just go for a nice walk. Sometimes that's all I really feel like doing.

Do something different, if you don't feel like riding then forcing yourself won't be fun, I do like smiling cat's idea of trying a few minutes on a trainer or spin bike and see how that feels. My piriformis gets cranky as well, and I've found two things outside of kettlebell lifting or swings that doesn't seem to bother it. Rowing machine and step mill/stair climbing. Hiking is good as well, since your weather is nicer than here this time of the year.

Do you have someone local that you can schedule a short ride with? It might be easier if you aren't alone. I know when I had mojo riding problems I couldn't even talk myself to even touch it so I know right where you are. Hang in there and use this opportunity to explore new things.

I think my mojo is currently in the Caribbean, soaking up some sun - while I am where it is unseasonably cold (though no where near as bad as it could be). Maybe yours is with it?

I second what others have said - take the pressure of yourself. See if you can find something fun. Maybe try hiking or swimming, as other suggested? Seriously, though - be kind to yourself. Grad school isn't without stress - take care of yourself, including your injuries!

It's hard not feel guilty about not riding, but I'm doing other things. My MO is to get almost good at "thing", then quit and learn "new thing" to the point of almost good. I can only imagine the new things in my future I shall be mediocre at.

Oh, Redrhodie,
I echo the wisdom of others - let it be. I stepped away from cycling for about 15 years and as soon as I got back into it, I wondered why in the heck I could have stayed away so long. I hope this is not the path you go down, but if you're not having fun it's time for a break. Friends help a lot in continuing mojo, and I sure hope you have some good cycling buddies. As far as getting "almost good" at something and then letting it go, and wondering how many things you'll be mediocre at - please let that go as well and don't beat yourself up. We are who we are and we're continually changing and evolving. We're great!

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

My MO is to get almost good at "thing", then quit and learn "new thing" to the point of almost good. I can only imagine the new things in my future I shall be mediocre at.

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I'm a big dabbler too. Honestly, I really enjoy the dabble life. :)

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

It's hard not feel guilty about not riding, but I'm doing other things. My MO is to get almost good at "thing", then quit and learn "new thing" to the point of almost good. I can only imagine the new things in my future I shall be mediocre at.

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Story of my life :-D Good side is - if/when I get injured again, I have other "things" to do while I heal, I no longer have to rant and rave that I can't do thing no.1. I need to work on "things" that don't involve physical exertion, though. Chess? Guitar?

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Originally Posted by salsabike

I'm a big dabbler too. Honestly, I really enjoy the dabble life. :)

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I do too. I like learning new things. And I always surprise myself with the things I get into. If you told me 2 years ago I'd be able to play the guitar I wouldn't believe it. It's cool to know that some weird thing is going to be my next passion, and I have no idea what it will be. Maybe I'll be a tight rope walker. I'd better be better than mediocre at that!

Actually, it's when I get past being mediocre that the thing loses its appeal. Maybe my real passion is for learning. Or I like a challenge.

I also love learning new things, and both of you make a point. When I start getting good at something my interest usually starts waning and I start looking around for other things to do. That doesn't seem to be happening with my kettlebell lifting - BUT I've a shoulder issue that guarantees that it will always be a challenge which is why I love it. hmmmm...good food for thought!

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I also love learning new things, and both of you make a point. When I start getting good at something my interest usually starts waning and I start looking around for other things to do. That doesn't seem to be happening with my kettlebell lifting - BUT I've a shoulder issue that guarantees that it will always be a challenge. hmmmm...good food for thought!

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I see Formula One racing in your future. :D

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Originally Posted by Pax

I see Formula One racing in your future. :D

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Hehehe, some might say I drive that way anyway :cool:

My mojo wanes at times, but I never really had any passions before I got involved with endurance activity. I got so crazy with aerobics, I became an instructor. But, the mojo for that lasted about 10 years and then I really, really needed a change. Cycling brought outdoor activity into my life, which actually changed my life more than anything. But before I started cycling, even when I was a gym rat, I did nothing except work, go shopping, out to eat, stuff with my young kids. I was into volunteering for a while, but eventually that just made me feel taken advantage of. I suck at art and music and I have no desire to learn anything in that area. I like seeing art, but even now, I don't use my MFA membership often enough. I could live without ever listening to music. I rarely see movies. What's wrong with me???? The only stuff I want to do is outdoors! Yet, I don't have the desire to learn any new sports at this point. I really wanted to be a runner, but injury stopped me. I did start x country skiing before I started cycling, but for like 20 years I never did it at anything more than a beginner level. I was scared to death and had no one to ski with. Now, I feel really brave and empowered when I ski. I am going to take a skate ski lesson this winter, but really, it looks way too hard! I have a feeling I might be good at it, because I used to be a figure skater as a kid, but it does seem like it's way more competitive than classic skiing. We will see... all I know is that if I couldn't ride at all, things would be pretty grim for me.

It was really hard to give up riding as it was the first physical activity I had ever found that I loved to do and it really saved my life - (reversing diabetes, lost lots of weight, etc). That is one of the reasons I am being so careful about listening to my coach (most of the time) with my kettlebell training as I don't know what I COULD replace IT with since I can't ride any more. My frozen shoulder prevents me from any bilateral work so I can't do barbell work, etc. Skiing, x-country- looks like a lot of fun to me but as I've had a major foot surgery with resultant flexibility issues in that ankle I don't think it wise. Love trail running, but my body has problems with running. SO...kettlebell sport, rowing machines, and the occasional step-mill appears to be it for now. I know women here really enjoy Pilates and Yoga, but they just don't do it for me.

I hear you about not going to movies (I go every 3-4 years). My apartment is quiet most of the time, I do watch Netflix. Sometimes I stream classic music to my TV, but my place is quiet more than it isn't and I love to read. My "entertainment budget" feeds my gym and sport training activities so I don't usually "go out" more than a couple times a year and that is for special occasions. I do wonder sometimes if there is something wrong with me, but I am at peace with myself and there is a lot to be said for that. It would indeed be grim if I had to give up my kettlebells. I do have my own kettlebell gym at home so I could continue if I ever have to give up my membership - for me it is as much social (just being around others) as it is working with my coach (who keeps me from hurting myself).

I have my ups and downs with any sports (or activities I'm in). When tired of one thing I do somehting else. Forcing myself into something is not going to get me anywhere. But having physical issues, I am no longer/able to do some of the sports I loved to do, or would love to try.

I too rely on a coach (who happens to be a physiotherapist and kinesio). She also happens to be a tri-athlete so I get best of both worlds. I should have used someone like her years and years ago to prevent injuries I have to live with for the rest of my life.

If I need to get back into something, I have to do it all the way. I can't do things half-way. No way. haha

So I have a very well loaded gym into my basement. PT wanted me to work on my balance to help those injured knees! No probbbblem. I just bought a Bosu balance ball. Not cheap as I could not find any used one in my area but I love new stuff anyway. I don't really have time to get bored into something.

If I have good music to kick my legs into moving, I probably could run or cycled to the moon. haha So may be try to get you moving back by doing a little bit at once and use any stimulus you can (music, heading to ice cream or chocolate place!). 1st thing you'll know, you'll be back to your old self.

Life is short! Have fun! And tough times don't last, tough people do!

I think I've found it again, maybe a little. Part of the reason I've been feeling so messed up in the head for the last year? Endorphin withdrawal! (And grad school stress, but I can't do anything about that.) In part prompted by financial necessity (parking at work is expensive!), I've started parking at a grocery store about a mile and a half away and walking in. (They don't care. There's more than enough parking, and I do actually shop there, so it makes things a little more convenient!) And yesterday, I tried commuting in by bike.

I used the Iguana, because it has a rack and I don't like riding with a backpack. It's remarkably nice, given that it's old enough to vote. I can totally see why people turn these things into touring bikes, because it's pretty stable under load and reasonably smooth. It needs new grips and pedals (it has been a long time since I rode with platforms!), and the issue with a sliding seat post wasn't quite as fixed as I thought. I had to adjust it every 3-4 traffic lights...not good. Also slightly embarrassing. I'm sure I looked like a complete dork in my fancy shorts on an ancient mountain bike, but at least people are nicer to you if you're riding an ancient mountain bike than if you're on a road bike, even here. :(

I got a little bit lost...OK, I ended up in Marana...totally in the opposite direction from where I needed to be. Added an extra 7 miles to a 13-mile trip. So I rode about 20 miles before getting to work. I didn't get lost on the way home, and thanks to the mountain bike gearing, I actually made it up the giant hill without stopping, although did have to pull into a church parking lot later for water and breath-catching. I kept hitting green lights. The worst part was actually the road that my complex is on. No shoulder, no bike lane, one lane each direction. It wouldn't be a terrible road to commute on, except apparently everyone and their mother wants to use it at 7:20 in the morning. And it has a traffic circle on it!

I want to do this again, and maybe get my road bike out on a weekend, since I'm a little more comfortable with the streets now. I'd like to commute more often, but I think I might wait until sunrise no longer coincides with the time that everyone decides that they should to go to work...

Glad you found it, Owlie. My old commute was a bit over 13 miles and I found doing it twice a week added a ton of fitness!
Geez, Marana. Hadn't thought about that town in a long, long time.