Epiphany - I don't have to ride

[chicagogal]

I just started racing this year, and already I have so many times heard my teammates say things like, "if I do that race, it'll just be for fun." And I think to myself (or out loud), what race would you do NOT for fun. We aren't pros or anything. We are amateur racers enjoying some friendly competition in the midwest, happy when we win back our race registration fee with a podium finish. It is ALL for fun, even a big event/target race. And the minute it isn't fun any more, something needs to change!!!!!

[gabriellesca]

Thanks guys. You know, Crankin' you're spot on. I think, because my introduction to cycling was such an intense and focused effort with people who are really into their team and speed, etc. that it did make me feel like I couldn't really ride unless I trained for something. I know that I do everything better if there is a goal at the end - like training, even for a 30 mile ride. And I did LOVE the experience of the ride itself so much. But the guilt I've been having about not riding longer than an hour or 15 miles is just silly.

I would like to do the Seacoast Century as well ... but I'd like to do one of the shorter distances.

Anyway - nice to realize that even with my fancy gear, new pedals, new shoes, etc. - I can still tool around at 12 mph for an hour 2 times a week and enjoy myself!

[nscrbug]

Last season (and for a short while at the start of this season), I felt the exact same way as you, Gabriellesca. I logged about 5,500 miles last riding season...2 rides were centuries, but the remaining were mostly in the 70+ mile range. I had gotten SO neurotic about mileage, that if we didn't do AT LEAST 65 miles every ride...I felt like I was "slacking", and that it wasn't even worth riding. Yeah, that messed my head up pretty good.

At the start of this year's riding season (early March for me), I had to build up gradually after not riding for most of the winter months. We started out with 30-mile rides for a few weeks, then slowly built up to 50 or so. But my neurotic self started getting frustrated. I looked back on my ride logs from last year, and seeing that we had already been riding 70+ mile rides by this time last year...once again, made me feel like I was "slacking off" for not yet reaching those distances this year. But something has changed in the last few weeks (for the better) and suddenly, I find myself not obsessing about how far we have or haven't ridden. Today, I rode with my cycling buddy like I normally do on Mondays...it was drizzly and cool out, so we shortened the ride up a bit (38 miles)...and I was okay with that. I didn't freak out like I normally would. I hope I can get through the rest of this riding season NOT focusing so much on mileage, and instead just enjoying the ride.

Linda

[Bike Chick]

I just started racing this year, and already I have so many times heard my teammates say things like, "if I do that race, it'll just be for fun." And I think to myself (or out loud), what race would you do NOT for fun. We aren't pros or anything. We are amateur racers enjoying some friendly competition in the midwest, happy when we win back our race registration fee with a podium finish. It is ALL for fun, even a big event/target race. And the minute it isn't fun any more, something needs to change!!!!!

Very good point, chicagogal. I've heard people say that many times and you are right, if we aren't doing it for fun, what are we doing it for?

[OakLeaf]

There you go.

It got so not-fun for me that I burned out so hard I didn't ride at all for 12 years. I'm lucky to be back. Don't be that person.

[Tri Girl]

Good for you for the epiphany!!! About 5 years ago I got so caught up in mileage/avg/competing and it totally burned me out. I didn't do anything for almost a year. Now I ride for fun and because I want to. I still do triathlons and hang with the same crowd, but I'm SOOO much slower now. I don't even care. I want to do it for fun and because I like it.
Good on ya!!