Motivation and the Quest for My Missing Mojo

[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.