An Epiphany

[Veronica]

Ever think you want to do something and then you realize you really don't?

Yesterday I accepted the fact that I never was excited about our planned Sunday rides; they had become a chore I had to do to get ready for DMD. They were always stressful. I had to do X number of miles or average this speed, keep my HR in this zone. All so I got myself ready for a ride that I knew would not be so much fun. Yeah, it would be really cool to say I had done it - 206 miles and 20,000 feet of climbing. But I know the last 70 miles would suck - the descent off Hamilton is no fun. Sierra Rd. is a b!tch to climb. Niles Canyon and Crow Canyon Rd would be scary in the dark with traffic. They're scary in the daylight! And did I really want to spend 20 hours or more on my bike?

I really knew something was wrong when it dawned on me that I was more excited about my running than my riding. When I was thinking that a full Ironman would be more fun to train for than DMD.

In my mind, training should not be a cause of mental stress. It's suppose to relieve that stress. I did an hour of plyometrics with Shawna last Wed. It was hard, but it was fun. That's the way training is suppose to be - not something that I dread.

Veronica

[beccaB]

I keep wondering the same thing. The last competitive event I did was slightly out of my ability level and I know I'll have to start training for it again and wonder if I should. I don't want to kill the joy of riding.

[SheFly]

I so feel your pain! I have had two full seasons of training because I "had" to. My new mantra is, "If it's not fun, don't do it". I'll still race, and train, but right now I'm having WAY more fun riding my bike!

SheFly

[jobob]

Ever think you want to do something and then you realize you really don't?

Heh, welcome to my spring & summer of 2010.

[maillotpois]

I'm sorry you're not doing it.

I think I would have a really hard time with a training schedule like the one you describe. X miles at Y mph, etc. I need to sneak training in so it looks like I'm just riding my bike and having fun, usually with friends. That's why the brevets work so well for me, I think. I did my third 200k of the year yesterday and it was a blast. Tough ride and I struggled mid way through, but I had 160 of my friends (well I don't know all of them) out there and we all cheer each other on. I don't use a HRM. Ever.

If you change your mind and decide to tackle DMD sometime, I can't recommend using the brevets as training highly enough. I'm basically following the schedule I posted on your original thread. And the rando clubs have grown in popularity since I started using the brevets as training for DMD in 2007, so there are more riders out there - but I would never describe the rides as crowded. There's a perfect amount of riders out there, so you'll always see someone or be able to ride with someone, but it's nothing like an organized century with roads packed with riders.

If you decide to do an Ironman, then you're a whole different type of crazy.

[Wahine]

I've had that epiphany. It's wonderful when you recognize it and give yourself permission to let it go.

[Becky]

That's exactly how I felt about grad school when I was taking the GREs and filling out applications. The day that I decided not to go felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.

[Veronica]

If you decide to do an Ironman, then you're a whole different type of crazy.

It's funny, but it really does seem less daunting than DMD. I think it's because my running has finally gotten to be fun. Not sayin' I'm doing one. It's just crossed my mind lately, while I'm running...

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Ever think you want to do something and then you realize you really don't?

As a matter of fact, yes. Though in my case, it's not a matter of not wanting to do it as much as it's a matter of finally accepting my own limitations. Yes, I'm being cryptic.

But I totally agree that if you always dread a workout, then it's not the right workout for you. This isn't to say that some dread is a bad thing (I think we all have bad or down days) but if you never look forward to it, that is probably telling you something.

[Crankin]

These kinds of decisions always make me feel like a huge weight is off of my shoulders. If you start feeling like something fun is "work," then it's not fun.
While I have never competed or trained like some of you, I have gone through lots of phases with what is "fun." Right now my weights/core classes are exceedingly hard, but fun. If I miss one, I don't get all crazy about it.

[kacie tri-ing]

It's funny, but it really does seem less daunting than DMD. I think it's because my running has finally gotten to be fun. Not sayin' I'm doing one. It's just crossed my mind lately, while I'm running...

Veronica

Crossing your mind is the first step

[MomOnBike]

I had that epiphany in another part of my life. For many years I defined myself as a violist. My younger daughter was in junior high before she discovered that not all parents go to rehearsals multiple times a week.

Then I found myself whining "I don't want to go to rehearsal tonight." Finally, I listened to myself and quit going.

I now define myself as a recovering musician - and I'm much happier.

[Dogmama]

Had the exact same epiphany about riding/yoga/lifting. I was always pushing to do more, do it better, do it on a schedule, blah blah. It finally dawned on me that this was turning into a JOB.

My main fear was that I'd just stop doing everything, my arthritis would take over & I'd spend my next 50 years sitting in a chair b*tching like my grandmother (I loved her but she was difficult at times.) Here's the interesting part - my "training" (like, what am I training for? A good looking corpse?) hasn't deteriorated one bit, but I'm liking it a lot better! Sometimes I swear that my brain is not my friend.

[ivorygorgon]

This is a bit like what I was trying to get at with my post about balance a few weeks ago. How do we challenge ourselves yet retain balance and a sense that riding and training if fun, not work and a chore. I love riding, I love training, but at some point riding and training can become drudgery, and I don't ever want that. How do we continue to challenge ourselves yet still "smell the roses?"

[maillotpois]

I was really interested in your post ivoryg - but it came out at a time when I was slammed with work and I didn't really have a chance to put a response together. There's only so much I can do on my iphone. So I guess I'll respond to your thread here.

My motivation definitely ebbs and flows, and I let myself take a month or two off (or light) here and there. I also have a teenager and run my own demanding law practice, so I have a lot of "stuff" to balance. My husband also rides and is stronger than I am, and pushes me. Usually in a good way, but sometimes I get annoyed with him and I usually speak out when I do. He's actually decided to do DMD with me and TT as well, and has been doing the brevets with me, which is nice. I just have to constantly check in with myself as to the pace when I am riding with him. He's often right that I could be pushing myself harder, but I need to know when he's wrong and when I need to respect my limits and pull the pace back a bit.

I don't think you ever get it perfect, but it's what you said - the balance.

I'm absolutely convinced that making the "training" rides fun is key for me. I could never do my long rides at X miles at Y heart race or pace like V described. It reminds me of a cookbook I had when DD was young, called something like "Stealth Health" - about how to fit healthy foods and vegetables into a kid's diet. I feel like the brevets are "stealth training" because they're fun and full of camaraderie, but good training as well.