What would be too much too soon?

[Monica]

The 10% rule is the same with running so I guess that will be a good place to start. I can't see myself having the time to ride more than 3 days a week. I figure two shorter days with hills and more intensity that can be considered cross training because I won't run those days. The third day will be a longer more relaxed ride to build endurance and will have to go on a running day. We shall see how that works. I have a few marathons in the fall and I am hoping the cycling helps build strength and speed.

That sounds like a good plan. I am doing one more half this weekend (#4) and if things go well I might consider doing a full at the end of October. Cycling has been my XT since this spring and I love it. I am just coming back from a 60 km ride. I will go with the Jeff Galloway program. It looks like I can do it and still have a life.

Monica

PS It looks like when my husband and I run or ride with a group, all the discussions become more constructive. Also I find easier to take the advice from perfect strangers. But in the end, we all mean well but are just too 'domestic'.

[Grog]

't was pretty much the same with my ex. We had some conflicts while traveling or hiking and riding too, not necessarily always giving (unwanted) advice to the other but often on the destination we should be heading to or the path we should choose when unsure, etc. I think my guy thought that sports (and in a lesser way travelling) was his turf and had trouble accomodating with my word on that topic, even though in the rest of life that wasn't a problem at all.

Then one day in Costa Rica we wanted to go deep into Corcovado Park and didn't have time to get lost (our plane was in just a few days) so we hired a guide. For three days we had NO fights whatsoever. The other guy was taking all the decisions and we were just following. My boyfriend was on the guide's turf and respected that (and so did I!!!).

I guess we must be concious of our turf-feelings and deal with that somehow...

Anyway! Good luck with riding with your SO. If you acknowledge the situation and find a way to accomodate each other's capacities and desires, you'll have plenty of fun riding together. But riding alone (or with other riding buddies) is great too... I've learned tons of stuff riding with other people and as you said the advice is so easier to take when it's not coming from your closest soul...

[jenna0601]

I think the turf thing is right on the money. I can definitely see how a guide would help. I will try to be more sensitive to his need to "explain" things to me. Thanks for the advice.

[Grog]

Well, "being more sensitive to the guy's need to explain things" can become a problem when you feel (rightly) that you know more than he does!! (especially after spending much time on this very interesting forum!!!)

And when it comes to choosing where you're going and how (fast, slow, types of roads, etc.) you have to voice your preferences... However I've read a few girls here on TE about the strategies they use with their SO: arrange of a meeting point in advance and ride there however you like, ride back at a common pace, have the guy pull the trailer-bike or luggage cart or ride a heavier bike, etc. You'll certainly find a way!

Cheers!