Saturday 21 January 2012

Slowly slowly

Well, so far this year I have managed the grand total of three rides. The first was with Mikey and it was really grim weather and pretty uneventful.  Just over 10 miles were done before I called it a day.

The next ride was a lone pootle last Saturday.  I was really determined to get my weekly target last week so I set off on a little adventure. It was mild out but the wind was strong and even on the downhills I could barely manage much more than 10mph due to horrendous headwinds.  I took it really easy, knowing that I wanted to ride the following day with Mikey.  Another 10 miles completed with a shockingly low average speed of 10mph - 2mph under what I was doing a few months back - Ah well, its not like I'd tried too hard. Phewph!

The following day I was mortified to discover my legs were actually empty!  Despite taking it easy the day before, every pedal stroke was taking a huge effort today.  Grrr... how quickly I have become unfit again?  I had hoped to do a 15+ mile ride today but my broken legs and the nasty weather had other ideas.  No matter which was we turned we were hitting the wind at full force. It was awful, it must have been over 30mph. I kept trying to tuck in behind Mikey but it was impossible to stay there safely as he was sucking me along much faster than he was going.  On top of that on each hill we had to climb I was noticeably slower than usual. I just hope it was more due to the violent headwinds, more than my unfitness! Only 10 miles added to my total, meaning I was still short on my weekly total, but at least I was heading in the right direction.

I had planned to ride again sometime this week, but I just haven't found the motivation to do so which means yet again I will fall short on my target.  I am feeling really disheartened by my shock discovery of being back to square one.  I just hope that the weather starts to dramatically improve (or at least that the winds drop considerably) so I can get back on track before I find myself back where I was 2 years ago - overweight and very unfit!

Eeek! I am really hoping that it wont take too long to get me back to my previous fitness levels and beyond, I just need to find some motivation somewhere. Anyone got any to spare?

6 comments:

TrevorW�� said...

I don't think that you should take any notice of your average speed when riding in strong winds.....

Just look on riding in the wind with the positive view that it is helping to build up your leg power - you might be slow on the windy day, but you will notice an improvement on your next windless ride..

-Trevor

Small Adventures said...

Yes,what Trevor said-sage wisdom :)

You'll get there,my friend. It's hard this time of year (motivation,AND getting rides in),just relax and take a breath...you're doing it,you're determined,and just think how many people aren't on either? Chin up,my friend :)

Do you have an email? Or some way I could privately give you mine (assuming you don't want yours published either)? I've been wanting to tell you something (not like,personal or anything) and I don't see any way to contact you other than open comments and this is something I wanted to share with you and not the world,LOL!

Steve

Small Adventures said...

PS: I see the "Friend Connect",but due to issues I've been having with Google\Blogspot lately,when I "log in",it won't accept my login for sending a message,that's why I asked ;)

Steve

Pedalling Polarcherry said...

I'm in exactly the same position. Yet again this weekend there's a bad storm which means no riding. No riding means my fitness isn't improving so it'll take longer to get back to normal!

No extra motivation for you but you're not alone!

X

KatieCake said...

Thank you all for your continued encouragement. It is much appreciated and really helps motivate me.

@Trevor There don't seem to be any windless days in Cornwall. ;-)

@Steve You can contact me via kittykins@velocake.co.uk

@P.Polarcherry Hope that the weather has started to improve for you. We have had a "little" less wind but shed loads of rain instead.

Small Adventures said...

Cool thanks-a pair of emails sent :)

Steve