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.