one step forward, three steps back

[bmccasland]

I thought about hijacking Bikerchick68's thread, but won't...

Set up - due to scheduling conflicts/travel/no-feel goods, I haven't been on my bike for a month. Riding my cruser the mile to the bakery on saturday mornings doesn't really count.
- I have EIA, and lately my peak flow has been averaging 400. (have been 430-450)

So yesterday I join the office group for an afterwork ride on the levee. We had a pretty stiff tail-breeze heading out, and the group is doing 21-23 mph. After about 4 miles, I'm blowing hard, doing my freight train immitation. Considering we're heading OUT and I'm having a hard time breathing, I signal the riders behind me to pass me, and as they pass tell them I can't keep up. Group leader turns around to check, but keeps the pace. I'm droped like a rock and fell pretty bummed. Anyway, after riding slower for a bit - down to 17, I'm feeling better and talk myself into riding further. Rode out 10 miles, then turned to head back. The headwind was a #$%@ pain. Only did 11-13 mph on the way back.

So I'm bummed about not being able to keep up. And I HATE riding in the wind. Tail wind, good; head wind, booo hisss. I'm hoping that getting back riding regularly will get my lungs more exercise and they'll be cooperative.

[IFjane]

I hear you, mbccasland! I, too, have EIA & ALWAYS sound like a freight train. I was talking about it on our group ride last night. The terrain here is hilly & I am almost always huffing and puffing as I try to climb. Everyone else - including one rider who says he also has EIA - seems to be able to ride without sounding like they are going to explode. I can't talk when I'm breathing like that, while everyone else cruises past me, carrying on a conversation while climbing a hill....grrrrrr.....

Add a headwind to the equation and I am also one unhappy camper!

I have to keep telling myself to just ride my ride and quit trying to keep up with the hammerheads. Hang in there & ride when it's fun!

[LBTC]

Beth, you've been off the bike for a bit, maybe you should take a few lighter rides first, before trying to keep up with a fast group like that!

I know what it's like to be off the bike for awhile. Not only take it slow, but be grateful for all the things you can *still* do, the surprise that, even though your lungs didn't cooperate, your legs feel fine - or whatever it is that is working for you. Patience and baby steps - you'll get back where you want to!

Hugs and encouraging butterflies,
~T~

[susiej]

17 is nothing to sneeze at (pardon the pun). Good on you for not turning around right away!

Did you use your inhaler? I have allergy induced asthma, and find if I'm not breathing well while on the bike, even if I'm not struggling, a hit off the inhaler makes a big difference.

And if I don't sound like a freight train at the end of my ride, I always think I slacked off.

[Nokomis]

And I HATE riding in the wind. Tail wind, good; head wind, booo hisss.

I couldn't agree more. We've got one stupid strech of road that I'm Always slow on. I don't know why, there must be something specifically sucking my energy away when we get there. And 90% of the time it has a substantial head wind. Of course, that's when my DH loves to tell me that if We don't pick up the pace, this ride will take 2 hours! Heaven forbid! I finally told him to put a sock in it - I could push harder & bonk for a short ride or keep my pace and ride longer, he couldn't have it both ways. Fortunately he realized the error of his "encouragement" and we had a peaceful rest of the ride. I'm still trying to convince him that yes there is a difference and advantage he has in raw ability due to being an athletic boy - and that if I'm going slow in certain streches or under particular conditions it's not that I'm slacking off. /thwap!

[bmccasland]

Did you use your inhaler? ... and if I don't sound like a freight train at the end of my ride, I always think I slacked off.

I take a hit off Seravent before I ride, and do Flovent 220 mg 2X/day. But I think that since my peak flows haven't been as good as they were a month ago, meds are only part of the problem. I need to check my Flovent inhaler when I get home - like I can remember when I've maxed out the number of effective doeses! Silly things should have an indicator on them! I figured since I was pre-medicated appropriately, I should slow down instead of driving myself to needing the rescue Albuterol.

My doctor doesn't want me to push myself to serious freight train immitations. Although, I'm like you, some of that is normal for anyone doing a good ride. But after a minute or two, we should be breathing quieter.

Today it's storming, so maybe a ride tomorrow.

[bmccasland]

Yesterday's ride went much better, despite the WIND, 15-25 mph. This time there were three of us that stuck together. Being third in a paceline is a very nice place to be when there's a headwind. We traded off, so everyone got the chance to be in the back.

So I had a good 26 mile roundtrip ride. And the lungs cooperated too!

[Geonz]

Good to hear it!!!
one step forward, three steps back is progress towards two steps forward, one step back.

Yesterday was paceline weather here, too. 28 mph but the echelon made all the difference and the ride back was fabulous!

[missymaya]

It's ok bmccasland it's been a little while since you were on the bike last, your body just needs a little kick to get going. As for the wind, just think of it this way, the wind makes you tougher and stronger and no matter what, you will have to deal with the wind at point or another. Grit your teeth and bear it.