Why it isn't a good idea to (always) train with men

[Lenusik]

This is totally funny. I definitely needed that on my recent fishing trip when I was on the boat for 12 hours without only 1-2 stops.

[Kathi]

It is a very good article for me to read because constantly ride with my husband. I truly became faster and stronger because of that. But he has way more power. Our rides are definitely not every day race training, so I am never mentally exhausted. I cannot relate to this part. I know that he is physically stronger but I still believe that training with him helped me a lot. It is rather a motivational factor for me.
I do know couple of women who can beat the heck out of a lot of me riders in the group. These girls are super riders and not intimidated by any guy.
I would send this artcile to my husband and see what he has to say about it.

Last year I would have agreed with you, as I almost always ride with my SO and the guys in our bike club.

However, this year is another story. Recovering from knee surgery and regaining my strength have given me a different perspective.

Since I spent most of my winter and until mid April on the trainer I built a really good cardio base, my exercises in PT brought back some of my leg strength but when I finally started riding outside and I tried to keep up with my SO. I couldn't do it. I was so worn out. I rode with my heartrate at a comfortable pace, wasn't overdoing it or so I thought. Everytime I rode at a pace that I was used to the next day I felt like I'd ridden a century instead of just 20 miles. Climbing and wind really did me in. Sometimes after a seemingly easy ride I was so tired that it took me 2 days to recover.

My therapist said I had not developed the muscular endurance I needed. I didn't want to get dropped by the group so I started training on my own. I used Chris Carmichaels book "The Ultimate Ride" as a guide, did his field test to determine the heartrate I needed to be training at, developed a program for myself, followed it and just rode by myself.

A couple of weeks ago I rode with my group again. One guy commented that the injury didn't hurt my climbing as I was climbing better than ever. I've noticed that too, when I climb my hrt is lower than it was last year, the climbs feel easier and when I did my first 56 miler last week I still felt strong at the end.

I"m still not where I want to be but I believe my results so far are due to leg work that I wouldn't have done without the injury, increased core strength and focused training.

Next year I'm seriously considering getting a trainer.

[Lenusik]

I"m still not where I want to be but I believe my results so far are due to leg work that I wouldn't have done without the injury, increased core strength and focused training.
.

It is definitely hard to recover and you seem to be doing great. Whatever it takes, I guess.
What I was trying to say, is that the article points out our diffrences in physical strength. I agree with that. But being mentally exhuasted is no better than physically. I do not allow myself to be dissapointed if my husband and some other guys are faster. That's just the fact of life. I am faster and stronger than some guys too. But, this is strong mental work as well. You are doing great, because you are mentally strong! This helps in your physical recovery.

[Dianyla]

This is totally funny. I definitely needed that on my recent fishing trip when I was on the boat for 12 hours without only 1-2 stops.

Every time I've been out fishing there is usually a 5-gallon empty paint bucket along... Or, you do the "dangle over the side without capsizing" trick.

[Lenusik]

Yeah, we had a bucket, but I still was not comfortable using it with two guys on the boat, plus it was rather wavy.

[dobielover1]

I've used a freshette for years while hiking, you never know who's going to pop up on the trail at a bad time....it took a few times to figure out how to relax, but I take it with me whenever I'm doing anything outdoors now.

[WrensMom]

it took a few times to figure out how to relax

Yeah, I actually practiced at home in the bathroom a few times before I used it in the field

[kelownagirl]

Wow, I've never heard of that - very cool! I want one!

[Kitsune06]

There are several threads here already on the 'travelmate'...

in terms of training-

I have to agree- guys have way more power output... but when riding with the GF, she just HAMMERs it... I mean, I've been biking longer than she has, but her endurance is still *way up there* and once she warms up, no man is going to hold her back. ugh. *envy!*

[Geonz]

Overtraining is overtraining, whether it's 'cause you're riding with the men or whatever.

[Tuckervill]

Back 5 or 6 years ago or so, there was a website where you could learn in detail how to pee standing up without any kind of device. My friend said her grandmother was the long skirt-wearing kind and she regularly peed standing up. It entails lifting the labia and pulling outward, and the exact technique depends on your own personal anatomy.

I looked for the website again, because it was quite humorous in addition to being helpful, but most of the hits were ads for devices. Wish I had the link.

Karen