Venting - strength issues

[Catrin]

.....I do think you should focus on the positive Catrin and appreciate that if you work at your upper body strength, it will likely get better over time. Just don't stubborn yourself into an overuse injury. I, personally, have to recognize that I can only do so much. I could ask my trainer to really kill me each week, but it would then impact my ability to do other things. Balance, balance, balance.

Speaking of balance, make sure you work on that, too!

Yep, all of this I am not at the gym any more than normal, and I am getting enough riding in AND the rest days I know I need. I gave up a couple of activities when I took on the group training so I wouldn't give myself over-use injuries; no over-use injuries are allowed this year! As far as the OTHER kind of balance, Bosu class is great for that - though right now I am only doing that once a week and that's only a 30 minute class. More would be too much for now.

My arm/shoulder strength is better than it was 3 years ago, it's just taking a lot longer to develop. I HAVE noticed since starting this group training/metabolic/functional training that I've gotten a lot stronger/faster on the bike and THAT is a good thing In the end, all of this is to support my riding/mountain biking (and of course general health and fitness). I am probably in the best shape in my life, even if I do have a bit more padding around the middle than I would like, and that is indeed worth celebrating!

Crankin - glad to hear that isn't a matter of concern!