Yesterday before I rode home from work, I just had the most put-out feeling about riding. I rode home anyway. But today when I got up, I knew I wasn't going to ride. When I went to Subway today, I didn't order the 9-grain wheat bun, and all the veggies, I ate what I felt like eating...and I even had a raspberry cheesecake cookie to go with it!
I think there comes a point where you have to listen to your body, and my body absolutely didn't want to ride today. My legs, and my body have just been tired. I've had a little stomach pain over the past few days and that hasn't helped either. I've just had a quiet rumbling inside that I need to stop for a day or so, and not push it. So I listened, and have had a great day...it feels good to not have sore legs.
And what's this sore leg thing? I thought once you've been riding for a while, that the soreness goes away. I don't understand. My legs weren't sore today. Perhaps resting them is a good thing.
Have any of you had a similar experience? I know one should mix up their exercise. I haven't been, and I think it take a toll on one emotionally too. How do you know when you need to keep pushing 'cause your training, and how do you know when its just time to take a break?
I have to get the miles in to hit my goal, and the miles will result in stamina, but gee, it takes mind power to push through soreness and emotional biking walls.
I think I need to mix my rides up, and, introduce a few more days off into my schedule.
Maybe I'm over-doing it, and I'm not quite to the level I want to be at. Maybe it's all part of the long ride.
Don
Hey Don,
ReplyDeleteI think it is entirely possible to be sick of riding your bike. You have been doing this for about five months now and so I think it is only natural that you are feeling this way. However, you should not take too long of a break because that can set you back emotionally as well. I usually allow myself one day off a week and once a month I have what I call my "cheat day", where I eat one thing that I have been craving. This gives me something to look forward to every month. Whatever you do, don't be too hard on yourself. You are doing amazing and should be very proud of the amount of miles you have put in already. I think it is important to have a goal to reach, but what is more important is that you are getting healthy. Riding your bike is not the only way for you to build up the stamina you need, try introducing something different once a week or if it must be biking, take a spin class. Whatever you decide to do, just know that this is one day out of many and that it does not take away from all the hard work that you have already put in. You are truly an inspiration to us all!
Giny
P.S. Happy belated Birthday by the way! :)
Sound advice. I am going to mix it up a bit. I took another day off from riding today. But have a big ride tomorrow...with some big hills. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for encouragement.
Don