When you first started...

[IFjane]

*Insert whine here* I want an Element!!

[RoadRaven]

Kathie, you are so very right about setting goals.

One of my 'mistakes' when I first started was to set my goals too high: to climb this hill in this time, or to race with that average.

I've realised now that with cycling, the fitter you get, the smaller the improvements for the same ammount of effort. And as I can't find more time in my days to make "more effort" than I have to settle for small but steady improvements.

So I guess I'm saying, make your goals achievable.

For example, 3 years ago I wanted to ride 50kms.
2 years ago I wanted to ride a 50km race and complete it within a time based on my training times.
This year I have a definite time I want to be finished in and am training and doing club races over those roads so I am really familiar with it.

If you are interested in goals etc I have a thread in the Race Results forum which has plenty of goal setting and readjusting in it.

Stay focused and enjoy... enjoying is critical.

[Kathie]

*Insert whine here* I want an Element!!

Woul you like cheese with your wine?

Kathie, you are so very right about setting goals.

One of my 'mistakes' when I first started was to set my goals too high: to climb this hill in this time, or to race with that average.

I've realised now that with cycling, the fitter you get, the smaller the improvements for the same ammount of effort. And as I can't find more time in my days to make "more effort" than I have to settle for small but steady improvements.

So I guess I'm saying, make your goals achievable.

For example, 3 years ago I wanted to ride 50kms.
2 years ago I wanted to ride a 50km race and complete it within a time based on my training times.
This year I have a definite time I want to be finished in and am training and doing club races over those roads so I am really familiar with it.

If you are interested in goals etc I have a thread in the Race Results forum which has plenty of goal setting and readjusting in it.

Stay focused and enjoy... enjoying is critical.

Thank you so much for your input. I'm going to check that thread out. I hear what your saying though. I don't want to set my self up for failure. I feel as if I've found something I'm connected to and I don't want to mess that up.

BTW...I rode 16 miles today! That's a first! I'm really drained now. It was so hot.