I know from the emails I’ve received from others trying to lose weight through cycling how easy it is to not only lose focus but also willpower, commitment and confidence.
I’ve been reasonably lucky until now - I’ve only had 2 moments where I had a crisis of confidence. One was when I (foolishly) attempted the Mountain Time Trial course on a Sunday after a 50 mile Saturday ride and the other was a prolonged period of time where I couldn’t drop below a certain weight.
That was until tonight.
Now I’m not going to make this into a bigger thing than it actually is. I’m putting it down to a bad night on the bike, but at the time it felt like the end of the world.
Without giving too much away, I essentially got a quarter of the way through a training session and couldn’t go on. My heart rate was high, but my cadence and speed wasn’t. My legs filled up with lactic acid and instead of thinking to myself, “What would Lance do?” I just caved in and slowed to a stop. Everything hurt, and I was really, really angry.
Failed trainig session
Then, after a short while, the anger vanished and instead I was ashamed of myself for stopping, and disappointed in my failure. But in order to succeed, I know need to put it behind me and learn from it as soon as possible.
A pep talk later (thanks, Andy) and some pasta & salmon, and a bit of fruit I’m feeling slightly better. I’m going to get myself to bed and start again on Thursday. I’ve lost a week because of this, but I will bounce back.
I know many people read this blog and take something away from it. Some are inspired, some are motivated. I guess the message is this. It doesn’t matter how well others appear to be doing, we’re all human and we all have failures. Bouncing back, dealing with failure, and learning lessons from our mistakes is an important part of losing weight and training and indeed, life in general.
Happy pedaling and always remember tomorrow is another day and another chance to start again.
RAY the coach will tell you when you feel like that you should stop if you carry on you do more harm than good
hope you feel beter on Thursday
Brave post mate but also encouraging. Its one thing to publish the good news a whole different challenge to publish the bad… Keep it going!
James - make sure you’re not overdoing it. All the talk I’ve heard of training at lactate thresholds etc sounds pretty full-on for this time of year. I don’t know many people who can train hard all year round - you don’t want to go burning yourself out either physically or mentally, or by the time it comes round to the racing season next year you’ll have had enough.
There’s no harm done in taking it a bit easier for a few weeks if you need to recharge your batteries.
Some of the sysmtoms you describe could fit in with over training. Better to ease back a bit now rather than be off the bike for weeks to recover.
If you need any help you know how to find me.
Chin up young man.
I am also struggling with my weight but you are leaving me streets behind.
Cheers.
The fat coach on a bicycle.
I’ve only just read this post, Roger is bang on! Don’t be worrying about HR’s and Lactate bollocks in November, just ride the bike and enjoy it. We ALL have days when it just doesn’t happen for no apparent reason. Forget it and move on…….the future is bright