Motivation and the Quest for My Missing Mojo

[SnappyPix]

Hi everyone

I haven't been around on the forum for the last six months or so, mainly due to a complete loss of my cycling mojo.

It's slowly coming back, but I just wondered if anyone else experiences periods when they lose their motivation - and if so, how they get it back?!

I think mine was as a result of overtraining - I competed in half a dozen events last year and peaked after about four of them. The more I trained for the last two events (centuries), the more my performance deteriorated. My last century was quite a demoralising and horrendous experience and I literally hung my bike up for several months after that.
This also coincided with relocating from New Zealand back to the UK - which was a bit of a shock, not least of all because I suddenly went from summer to winter in the blink of an eye!
I'm now around 14lbs heavier and have lost a lot of my fitness.

I can't post when I'm not riding because I feel like a fraud.

But now that spring has sprung (again), I'm slowly rediscovering my cycling mojo and am back on the bike (YAY!). Also starting to eat healthier and adjust for the fuel out/in ratio.
I'm also trying to motivate myself to get back out there; watching the Spring Classics, ignoring the computer and just pedalling for the fun of it (although I still keep a training diary) and riding with friends when I can.
I'm also intentionally not doing any events this year, so I'm purely cycling for pleasure (as opposed to personal victory! )

I'm sorry this is a bit of a self-indulgent post. It's just so distressing when you lose the will to pedal, because that's what I love to do usually. I just wondered if anyone else has experienced a love-hate relationship with their bike and how they overcame it.

I'd also like to raise a hand and give everyone a cheery wave from back in the saddle.

[Jo-n-NY]

Hi there SnappyPix,

I think plenty of ladies here would agree with me in saying first and foremost, you could post here anytime, riding or not and know one would consider you a fraud.

I guess you got a little burnt out. You said it in a nutshell that you are back, but for enjoyment, not looking at your computer etc. That is what it is all about. Once this gets to be a must and a chore, it will no longer be fun.

It is good to see you here and post whenever you like. Keep us updated.

~ JoAnn

[bmccasland]

Snappy,
I'm in no way a "serious" cyclist - my goal is to get through the MS 150 each year. Buutttt, from other *things in life* I can certainly understand burn-out. Don't beat yourself up about it. Welcome back to the bike saddle, have fun! Maybe don't plan on so many events. And sometimes, take a hint from your local kitty, find a nice sunbeam, curl up and take a nap.

Now that spring is returning to the northern hemisphere, go for a nice ride, not a race, just peddal about. Your mojo will return.

[IntenseRide]

This has happened to me also, a feeling of losing yourself and wondering where the passion went. But I believe its the body's way of taking a forced break and recharging. I decided not to watch my averages as much and just wanted to have fun on the bike, ride more with people instead of against them. I ride far more offroad then on, but the feelings of burnout are the same. You have to put the fun back into it and take the pressure off. That's why I don't want to compete, I love cycling and want it to be this activity that relieves stress instead of creating it. Good luck and hope you feel much better soon. P.S. It doesn't help to 'feel' out of shape either, once you shed a few pounds and see the muscles outlining your legs again, it'll help too!

[missymaya]

Snappy,
I agree with the rest of the ladies, you were probably burnt out. I know when I start feeling that drudge, I just do something else, go for a run, swim, or something completely different like go to a museum or the beach (if I can). It's good to change the pace every once in a while and let yourself breath and take in what's around you. It's ok to take a break, just don't go crazy on it Riding for fun is the best kind of ride!

[Grog]

Good to see you back SnappyPix!

Something similar happened to me on my first winter here in Vancouver. I was very excited to ride all winter and definitely over trained. I got bike-depressed just when I should have gotten excited about it.

So last year I planned a change in activities instead. I cycled HARD all summer, including a one-week 750km trip. After that, I phased out cycling and phased in running for the fall and winter seasons. I still cycled a little bit, went to a few club rides, but when I felt like it, and when I did I didn't push myself too hard. (Except on December 30th when I realized I had 190km left to reach my yearly goal of 6000!!!) During the last few days of cycling I was satisfied with what I had accomplished during the summer, but excited about taking a one-week break and then starting to run more.

Now I have a half-marathon coming at the beginning of May and I can tell you I'm looking forward to that because right after I'm upping the intensity of my cycling. I've been cycling some already, and the good weather makes me really excited about getting back on the bike for more and more and more hours.

So I think my trick is to keep the fire going by doing different activities you like.

And don't worry about posting without riding, you're NOT being a fraud!!

See you on the roads!

[SnappyPix]

Thanks everyone for your support and taking the time to reply, it really does mean a lot.
It's easy sometimes to get things out of perspective and to feel that if your peformance and drive are deteriorating, then it must be your fault for not training hard enough. With retrospect, I was much too hard on myself and lost sight of why I was riding and what I wanted from it.
It's interesting to hear that others have had similar experiences too - my self-enforced break DID do me the world of good, because now I'm enjoying being in the saddle again and just loving turning the cranks and pootling under my own steam.

It really is lovely to be back.