Stuck in the middle

[teigyr]

I think you rode well. Obviously the slower group wasn't challenging you and it might be comforting but sometimes you have to push beyond those boundaries even if it means not feeling so good about yourself.

I don't know if the guy was patronizing you or not (I often get the same feeling from people when I'm upset!) but you know what you're capable of.

Is difficult to say because you're at a far upper level than I am. I do know that for me, it's all in perception. Say you're in the lower group and are in front and feel like you are incredible when you finish. You could have a higher average with the higher group and feel worse about yourself because of how you finish.

So I'd say maybe go 50/50. Ignore your demons sometimes but give yourself a break other times.

[stacie]

Come on Kimmy. Get up, brush yourself off and do it again next week. Maybe you'll hang on half way. Maybe 3/4. Everytime make it a little further. You may have set back weeks. But, you'll never make it if you keep riding the other ride. Life's lessons are learned from our failures, not our successes. How did you get disconnected? Make the changes you need to make and survive a little longer next time. I'm rooting for you.

[indysteel]

I think it's great that you branched out and tried to ride with the faster group, and I definitely think you should keep trying. I bet you'll find that you'll keep up longer each time and, in any event, it sounds like you got dropped because of factors our of your control anyway. That said, I know how demoralizing it can be to be left behind, having been there myself. Recently.

I'd tell you to not beat yourself up, but that's easier said than done. When I'm with a friend who's beating herself up I always say, "hey, that's my friend you're talking about." So, try to be as encouraging to yourself as you would be to your best friend. And you go girl!

[Andrea]

Stick with it!! Go back every week, and be tenacious! You might get dropped over and over, but there will come a day when you hang on the whole time. Then the day will come that you start to feel "hemmed in" by that group, and you'll be eyeing the A group.

One of the best ways to get better is to ride with people that are faster than you. I did it last summer- I started going to a 40 mile ride that's frequented by alot of men who race, and was dropped over and over and over. Each time, I was able to hold on a little longer. Now, I don't get dropped... In fact, I attack the guys in a couple of spots! Just don't give up!

[Batbike]

yep! if you ride slow you will be slow -- if you chase the faster people, you may not ever catch them, but you will get faster trying ...

i am a solid B rider by most bike riding standards ... there are ALWAYS and i mean ALWAYS people who will and can ride faster, harder, stronger than me!! i love that -- encourages me to keep trying!! on the other hand, there are ALWAYS people who are slower than me, if only on a climb or descent, not entire ride, and i have been told that i encourage them (always surprises me, but nice to hear) !

be encouraged, not discouraged ... it is all on how you look at it!!

[pooks]

I've only read these boards and have never done a group ride but here's what I think ( ) from what you've said:

1) It's an excellent situation because they didn't drop you; the group leader stayed with you. How often do we read about rides where people get dropped even when they weren't supposed to?

2) You've said you are really pretty sure he wasn't being patronizing, and I'm glad to know that, because my feeling was that if he thought you were overreaching he wouldn't want to encourage you and would probably have suggested you do (whatever) before trying that group again.

3) Listen to these women. They know what they're talking about.

4) Congrats! Look at what you did -- you reached for a tougher ride, and kept up for at least 1/2, and your main prob was that you got separated from the group or you might not have had to deal with the emotional baggage and might have held your ground!

[jobob]

Good lord, love, it's just a bike ride !

Sure it would have been nice if you were able to keep up with the new group right off the bat, and it sux when you realize you're not yet as good as you'd like to be, or think you should be, but these things take time.

Stop beating yourself up and go back and ride some more with that faster group. You'll get better by pushing yourself. It sounds like the group leader was encouraging you, whether or not you wanted to hear it at that moment. Soon, maybe not tomorrow or the day after, but soon, you'll be able to keep up with them.

Then when a new person comes along and is in the same boat as you are now, you can 'pay it forward' and encourage him or her.

[KSH]

Kimmy... I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND how you FELT!

I have been there. OH! Have I been there. I use to ride with my tri club, and I would be the last one... and eventually I would be dropped. One day I was so far behind, and riding alone... and I was just wondering what the hell was I doing out there? I wasn't getting any better and I was too damn slow.

Lately I have also been frustrated, because I am in between groups. I am a tab bit too fast for the 14-16 mph group and too slow for the 18-20 mph group. I want a challenge, but I also don't want to ride alone or keep someone from having their ride, because they have to pull me in.

Not to mention... everyone I start to ride with... gets faster than I do, and I lose my riding partners.

I talked to my tri coach about it, and he told me that I need to:

1) Work on intervals.
2) Ride with faster groups and be OK with being dropped (this means I have to know the route).
3) Do some weights in the gym.
4) Do some hill work.

So, I have started doing that.

Look... you can get better... with some hard work, pain and sweat. And maybe you ride with the fast group again, know the route and be OK with being dropped... and let the BOP leader know that you will be fine.

Each week you will get a little closer to the group and not being dropped. But yea, you are going to have to mentally strong until you can keep up the entire distance.

I wish you the best of luck... and again, I totally understand where you are coming from. I have been there and in fact, I'm there right now!