Guilt & priorities

[Dogmama]

OK, time to unload this. It has been weighing on me for awhile. This may not be the forum, but we'll see.

I've been riding for 14 years. Ten years ago, I bought a custom bike. Road across AZ (the long way!), road a couple of centuries and lots & lots of "regular"miles. Oh, I was also single and had a job that I could do in my sleep.

The past five years have been hard to get the miles in & I feel guilty. I got married. I got a really demanding job (I love it, but the hours are brutal). I got 14 years older (how did that happen?)

My interests have turned to softer activities like yoga, weight lifting, reading books whilst on the stair climber at the gym. This is NOT to say that the bike is gathering dust. I still get about 50 - 75 miles/week in. Now, I'm getting pressure to do El Tour de Tucson (111 miles) and I simply have no desire to put in the time to train. At 49, body parts hurt and recovery time is longer.

Am I a weenie? I do not intend to hang up the bike, but also don't want to hammer all day like I used to. Anybody else been there/done that?

[MightyMitre]

Hi Dogmama - one of the guys in my cycling club has been feeling similar this season. He's also got to a certain age and thought 'Hold on - how did that happen.'

This year he's adopted the following policy ' Dip in- Dip Out' which basically means unlike other seasons when he's felt compelled to ride every race, even though he didn't enjoy all of them, this year he's just chosen to ride events as and when he feels like it and doesn't give himself a hard time about it.

For me cycling is about enjoying my free time. If it ever reaches the stage where it's a chore or I start beating myself up over stuff, something's not working and I need to check out what's going on.

I'd say 50-75 miles is week is very respectable and don't feel bad about '"not wanting to hammer all day like you used to". Do what you feel comfortable with doing, dip in when you feel like it and dip out when you don't.

Oh yes and happy riding

[Irulan]

let go, and go with the flow...

Seriously, I think one's needs and interests change. I used to road ride 100 miles a week, but now I have no interest in it all and I gave my bike to my son. I also used to be a gym rat and hard core body builder, but one day I decided I needed to do other things with my time than spend 3 hours a day in the weight room.

Needs change, desires change, and one has to have balance in your life. Espescially when you factor a family into the picture. I balnce in me time and family time. You sound real fine to me, Dogmama...It's not like you hung it up for good. And just think only 4 years and you will have your life back.

Irulan