Motivation

[sarah b.]

Hey guys,
I've been lurking for a while now, and your advice has helped me a lot already. The ride I've been training for, the MS150 from Houston to Austin, is coming up in less than two weeks, so I thought it was time to come out of hiding and ask a question or two. First of all, I know there are going to be parts of the ride where I want to give up, how do you all stay motivated to keep it going? Secondly, I've learned a lot from the organized rides thread in the tips and tricks category, but do you have any other advice for a new rider embarking on her first extended organized ride? Thank you in advance for all your help!
-sarah b.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I think one of the most important things is to make sure you keep eating and drinking all day long. Don't wait until you are hungry or thirsty - if you wait, it's already too late!

And don't get caught up in a race mentality. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to finish the ride. It matters that you are there and that you are enjoying yourself.

It's funny, I did an MS 2-day ride a number of years back. A woman who I worked with at the time asked if she could ride with me. I knew that she was a fast rider, and I'm not - so my response was that while I'd welcome the company but that I thought that she'd be happier riding at her own speed (I wasn't capable of speeding up to her speed...) - but that I'd be happy to share a room with her. Her response was that she'd be happy riding at my pace. I didn't believe her, but I accepted the company. We started out together, but I could tell she wasn't happy riding at my pace. Then she started talking with a couple of guys who were traveling at her speed, so I again told her that I didn't expect her to stay with me. She took off. But she was so pissed at me by the end of the day because I finished the ride a couple of hours faster than she did! I guess it's the old tortoise & hare story - she and her new riding buddies rode really fast, but when they stopped at the rest stops they stayed for a while. I rode at my usual (slower but constant) pace. I stopped at every rest stop, hit the porta-potty, filled up my water bottles, and grabbed some snacks. Then I got back on my bike and kept on riding....

Have fun on your ride!

[Jennifer Gallow]

I agree with that. It's easy to see riders pass you and try to keep up. Sometimes it's not even a conscious decision, you sort of unknowingly speed up, but keep an eye on your speedometer to make sure you stay on YOUR race pace. 150 miles is a LONG way ... don't burn out to ride with a faster group.

Besides, I've done centuries fast and I've done 'em slow ... this last one we took 8 hours to finish and had the best time ever. AND we felt good enough to go out and celebrate ... those fast rides leave me ready to hit the hot tub and straight to the couch. Not the most fun way to celebrate your accomplishment!

I stay motivated by setting little goals -- reach the next SAG by 9am, keep my heart rate at whatever number for the next five minutes, that sort of thing. I don't stop at all the SAGs but the stops can be motivating too. If you pull in behind someone, make a little goal to get out ahead of them ... it's a sense of accomplishment AND it keeps you from staying off the bike too long. (After a long day of riding it can get pretty tough to get back on!) Make small goals to eat and drink too -- finish one waterbottle each hour. That will make sure you're hydrated and give you a small win as well. PLUS, if you're riding with someone, use them for motivation. My BF and I always drag each other if one or the other is feeling strong and the other is weak. It will pass, and you can switch off, and feed off the excitement and adrenaline of your group.

Sarah B I'm excited for you. Enjoy your ride!

[sarah b.]

Thanks for all of the tips and encouragement! I'm really excited, but kind of nervous, all at the same time. I am determined to complete this ride, but I know it's going to be a challenge for me. I am learning how much of cycling is in my head and positive thinking, so I appreciate the help with motivating myself through the hard stretches and the reminder to pace myself.
-sarah b.

[fixedgeargirl]

Of course, there's always Red Bull.

Right, V.?

[Biking Chick]

Your participation in any organized event to raise awareness and funds for MS makes you a 'winner' before you even turn over one pedal stroke.

Ride for a cure - in support of everyone who's lives have been touched by MS - and when you *think* you can't ride one more mile ... ride that one mile for someone who can't.

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for all of the tips and encouragement! I'm really excited, but kind of nervous, all at the same time. I am determined to complete this ride, but I know it's going to be a challenge for me. I am learning how much of cycling is in my head and positive thinking, so I appreciate the help with motivating myself through the hard stretches and the reminder to pace myself.
-sarah b.

I know it's different for everyone but I found the little goals as someone posted previously make it easier to stay motivated and help make the time go past, and the little treats as rewards: If I make it to the base of the bridge, I'll take a drink as a reward; if I have a banana Now - I can Fly up that hill; little silly things like that. Or set something up that like: I'll drink every 15 mins and eat every 30. Then you get so busy keeping track of your time you lose track of the miles. Let us know how ya do!!...and what kept you motivated!

[KSH]

Hello! I am currently training for the MS 150 from Dallas to Oklahoma!

Hee-hee... I know I have a few people tell me thus far that they logged about 180 miles on their computers at the end of the "150" in the previous years. At least on the "Dallas" one they did!

As far as motivation... I can't imagine giving up... (assuming that the weather is GOOD! I will NOT ride in the rain)... because if you don't finish (even if it takes you many hours!)... then you have failed your committment to complete the race.

It's following through with a goal.

That is what will motivate me.... that... and the PRIDE I will have for having finished so many miles in 2 days... for a GOOD cause.

These poor people will MS live in discomfort daily... all year round... what is 2 days of discomfort for me?

Nothing.


Best of luck to you!

[SadieKate]

I just want to post a little heartfelt thank you to everyone participating in the MS rides and walks. I feel like the token MS person on this board but there are probably others lurking out there. Many of you have friends who are affected by MS and know how it can change their lives as well as their families. MassBikeBabe has told me about a close family friend who has been fairly severely affected and how her boys have reacted. I know others of you are probably having similar experiences.

Just want you to know how appreciative I am of all your efforts and how proud I am that so many of you are members of our TE family.

Raise a toast to Fast Friends!

SK

[fixedgeargirl]

Sarah b., how was your ride? Seems like you had good weather. My parents are in town, so I forgot all about going to see the finish. I was showing my parents the town, and wondered why I was seeing all these bikes with numbers on them.....

Anyway, hope it was a good ride (for a very good cause !!).

[sarah b.]

Thanks again for all of your insight! It turns out that I really didn't hit a wall, like I thought I would. We had SO much fun! When I did start to get tired, there was an older man on the side of the road with a sign that said he has MS who told me I could do it! I guess he could tell I was getting tired. I got a little choked up and that kept me pedalling the rest of the way. I did learn a little trick on the hills, counting my pedal strokes provided a good distraction. As people were dismounting to walk up, I would tell myself "just ten more pedals" and I made it up the hill ten pedal strokes at a time. It was a blast and I am now completely hooked! If you want to read our whole story and see pictures, you can go to http://thebteam.typepad.com.
Thanks for your help and I look forward to continuing to be a part of this women's cycling community!
-sarah b.

[Biking Chick]

Raise a toast to Fast Friends!SK

:::clink:::

To friends -

[CorsairMac]

When I did start to get tired, there was an older man on the side of the road with a sign that said he has MS who told me I could do it! I guess he could tell I was getting tired. I got a little choked up and that kept me pedalling the rest of the way. Thanks for your help and I look forward to continuing to be a part of this women's cycling community!
-sarah b.

yeah - that choked me up too just reading it. Thanks for sharing Sarah! and congrats on a job well done.
I'm thinking we need to pass the She-Ra Princess of Power Tiara to SarahB next!

[fixedgeargirl]

Way to go Sarah!!! I went to your link - sounds like an awesome trip!!! And I choked up when I read the part about the encouraging man in the wheelchair.

Hurray for you!

[nuthatch]

Sarah, thanks for posting your experiences - they'll be my inspiration when we have our MS150 in June!