I went cycling this weekend with an elite group of riders. I fell in the first minute, got dropped after 5. Thank heavens it was because my bike suffered easy-to-fix damage in the fall and NOT because I had no energy, no power in my legs and was the worst, most out of shape rider on the whole planet and what made me think I could keep up with these guys in the first place as self-sabbatoge sally was trying in earnest to get me to believe. The team mechanic unlocked my back wheel, adjusted my brakes and off we went.
The ride made me realize how important it is to occasionally or an a regular basis, train with people who are at a higher skill level. I pushed myself mentally and physically to levels of riding I hadn’t yet this season. They invited me to join them this Thursday.
I was so tired from the ride, I wasn’t sure I could get my bike stuffed into my car, let alone find the energy to push the gas pedal all the way home. My mind raced to think of ways to politely decline.
Inner goddess of fitness silenced cry-baby-cop-out and immediately began to think of ways I could prepare to ride with them in just 4 short days. I can focus on elements I can control that will give me as much of an edge on the bike as possible; eating, hydrating, rest, bike maintenance and attitude.
Just the shot in the arm a half way through the summer plateau-princess needed to reinvigorate her workout routine! I can sloth through the rest of the summer or I can embrace the opportunities before me.
No matter how you work out or what your workout consists of, figure out a way to work out with an individual or group of people who are at a slightly higher skill level than you. If you work out at home, pursue working out with a partner once a week. Invite someone to come over and work out with you or schedule a weekly power walk a fit friend. Consider signing up for a class. If that seems intimidating, audit a class so you can gain a comfort level.
Another option is to follow some of the athletes through their Olympic experiences. Reading about their training trials, tribulations and triumphs is extremely motivating. The goal is to push yourself out of your comfort zone this week, take yourself to the next level. Ready, get set, GO!
quote:Inner goddess of fitness silenced cry-baby-cop-out and immediately began to think of ways I could prepare to ride with them in just 4 short days. I can focus on elements I can control that will give me as much of an edge on the bike as possible; eating, hydrating, rest, bike maintenance and attitude.
KD and others, Can you share some of your ideas/plans about what you'll do differently to prepare? Thanks!
Great Message KD. Thanks for imploring all of us to reach a little higher. I recently was blessed to meet another single female who is committed to walking every day. She is 10 years younger and a hundred pounds lighter than me and is a challenge to keep up with. However, because I have been at this for a while my cardio fitness level is up to speed, thank goodness. Working out with a fitter friend is not only helping me to achieve my fitness and weight loss goals faster and easier, but it is also very healthy for me both socially and emotionally. I moved to the Nashville, TN area not long ago, work fulltime from my home which happens to be out near Williamson county and away from town. I have a few acquaintenances that are married and live very different lives form mine, so it's difficult to have that connection emotionally and socially often. So, it's far too easy to become reclusive and keep to one's self.....but not the best for me. I love people and am outgoing, so it's been tough to be here away from all my life long friends. Anyone reading this who isn't taking KD's advice here, really should consider it and give it a try. It really does work.
I also took action to challenge myself to do better this month than Jan-July put together! I slacked big time in July and other times....I want August to be my best month this year to date. So, I selected 8 baby steps I could challenge myself to take on a daily basis and these simnple little steps are sure to increase my weigh less results. I know I can do it and I am re-committed to doing it! Baby steppin' all the weigh down.......
My long run partner is someone who is just a hair faster than me -- she can run for longer distances at a faster pace than I can. The result -- I've gotten much faster because we run together and talking to her distracts me from the discomfort of going that fast. I'm in better running shape than I've ever been because she pushes me just enough.
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
What a model; and a great idea. Occassionally, not very often, I walk with a friend (or maybe I should say chase after her). She is about a foot taller than I am, and it's all in her legs...so her stride is much longer than mine, and she has been walking since I've known her and that's almost 30 years. So she really pushes it. I am jogging and out of breath ready to go get us the car by two blocks, but I am keeping up better now...now great, but at least I make it 1/4 a mile; before I say "go ahead". Great Idea!!!! Wish I could get my husband to swim with me, that would be a challenge to keep up with him.
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3473 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
Good timing as usual! I scheduled myself for a hike next Saturday with my new Colorado Mountain Club group. It is a little more elevation gain than I usually do and I had a nagging little voice in the back of my head saying "Maybe I shouldn't do it"..."Don't want to embaress myself on the first hike I go on" and other assorted stinking thinking. I'm going to take KD's challenge to figure out how to prepare the best I can and then go for it!
Peg
PS)Just went and looked at some hikes I've done in the last 2 years and this won't be the most elevation gain...more than usual but not more than I've ever done. I can do it!
I do this with skiing sometimes. Often, I've had to pay for it in the form of a lesson. But I did get one of my best tips skiing and tagging along with a stranger who was helping her friend. Have to walk (or ski?) a fine line between somebody better than me so that I'm challenged and not overwhelmed. I love sking with my sil because she will push me to try new things without putting me in danger or without making me feel like a wussy weanie.
And then there are some people I just won't ski with. My sister's boyfriend skis harder runs than I do and skis WAY faster than I do - but doesn't have all that better technique than I do... He does have less fear than I do (in a bad way) and put him on a pair of skis and he gets more stupid than I am... The feeling is mutual - and he hates skiing with me, as I ski too slow for him. But, then I've never been grounded by the ski patrol, either. And this is why my sister skis with me and not him most of the day...
Got a new music cd in the mail last week. It goes just a little bit faster than I had been going and pushed me just the right amount. The 4 crunch and 4 pushup people push me just the right amount - this week - for me. We'll be in the Master Olymics doing 6,789 crunches 35 years from now.
Going to pracice great technique while moving the rest of our stuff today!
Posts: 8744 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Totally awesome KD! What a great opportunity you allowed yourself! As rough as you felt after your ride, I can tell it also gave you a great sense of accomplishment. I have a feeling you're gonna get hooked on these guys!
stephanie
"Succeed! Because you have the opportunity to do so." - KD
Posts: 724 | Location: nashville | Registered: March 11, 2004
