Burnt out?

[Dogmama]

For me, it comes down to competing with myself. And not in a good way, like "You can do it." My self-talk is more like, "You're lazy, uncommitted, flakey, ungrateful..." etc.

In today's world, why the heck would I want to do that???

I need to get back to the reason I started to ride. And it wasn't to beat myself up because I'm not training to ride the next century. It was about enjoying the outdoors, clearing my head, getting some exercise & relaxing.

If riding is getting to be a job, forget it for awhile. It will come back if it's supposed to. Or - maybe it was a stepping stone to other things like running, yoga or hiking. Relax & let life come to you, rather than forcing the river to change its course.

[chutch]

Good response Dogmama!

[li10up]

Amanda, sorry to hear about your struggle with finding motivation to ride. Just wanted to let you know that my goal this year is 4000 miles...and that is because of you from last year pushing me a bit to set my goal high. It will be tough for me to get to 4000 this year but I think I will make it. I know that if I do, next year I won't have a specific goal. Sometimes being goal oriented can just burn you out. Maybe that's what happened to you. Maybe you burned yourself out a bit by having such a high goal last year?

My suggestion is to find others to ride with and make it a social ride. Maybe that will put a little more joy into your rides. I know I enjoy my rides a whole lot more when in a group. I rarely ride solo now. Do what interests you. You don't HAVE to ride. But I do hope you don't give it up completely.

[Aggie_Ama]

Yep, I think last year I was too focused on centuries, miles and riding my butt off. This year it was hot so centuries were the last thing I could even begin to think about. Tracking miles got a bit OCD, I sometimes get too hung up on things and put unnecessary pressre on myself to do it. So this weekend I am doing a ride, signed up for 65 but will do what feels right Saturday. The Sunday it is mountain biking.

I deleted my mileage goal from Bikejournal, it was too much pressure the last two years. My goal is to love what I am doing whether it is hiking, mountain biking, road riding, running. When I started riding it was like being a kid again, riding my bike to Brushy Creek Elementary school and having fun racing myself or the boys home. Riding to the gas station for some candy, to my friend's house across the neighborhood- 3.5 miles!

But this is yesterday's ride report and how I felt last night is how EVERYONE should feel about cycling, it isn't a job but a chance for fun:

I finally took Miranda, my poor neglected Cannondale out for a spin. Since I signed up for the Rip Roarin' Ride this weekend I felt like we should get back on a first name basis. Man I forgot how wonderful of a bike she is. I have been riding my mountain bike and my commuter for the past month while Miranda sat lonely in the dining room. The mountain bike fits alright but it is a mountain bike. The commuter is a just "good enough" fit. But Miranda, she is perfectly dialed in on fit and snappy. Funny thing is after riding the commuter the bike feels tiny and shocks me at the handling. But the get up and go, I had forgotten how stiff the bike is, I hammered along the rolling hills and scoffed at the head wind. Oh how I love my little Cannondale.

15.58 glorious miles on the "Dog Ride" loop and I fell back in love.

[indigoiis]

I totally feel for you. I have those moments.

I think a lot of it is psychological.

[li10up]

I'm so glad you loved your ride! Sorry to be so late......