I like that! Thx!
Oh wow, so I am not the only one! I often get that feeling riding solo, where I start dreaming, everything becomes easy and fluid; and time just stops existing.
The strangest thing is when I experience that while pacing my wife outdoors: I hold steady watts, then I start dreaming and I hold the same feeling. If anything, I vaguely notice my pedalstroke getting … smoother and more fluid? Hard to describe! But invariably my wife will yell to ease up very soon after that; while I didn’t even notice pushing any harder!
Flow is a magical place 
Very seldom do I manage to enter that state indoors though…
4 Likes
Just finished listening to Ask a Cycling Coach 399.
Breathing, mindfulness, headspace
@Jonathan writing down your concerns is such a powerful tool. thank you for sharing how you’ve used it.
1 Like
Hey, I completely understand how mental health can affect our training and overall quality of life. It’s important to prioritize both physical and mental well-being. When anxiety starts to interfere with your training, it can be frustrating. One thing that has helped me is incorporating mindfulness practices like deep breathing or meditation into my routine. Taking time to calm the mind can make a big difference. Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you’re feeling overwhelmed. There are resources available, such as an anxiety hotline, that can provide guidance and assistance. Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical fitness.
3 Likes
Long time after, your description of each hour of riding reminded me of a couple long rides I did this summer and fall. For me, a 4 hour ride usually proceeded like this:
Hour 1: Man I feel gross after sitting inside working all week. I know I’ll feel better soon.
Hour 2: I feel great. Maybe I’ll go try to get some KOMs!
Hour 3: This is great. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now.
Hour 4: Holy shit I’m hungry - why didn’t I bring more food?
1 Like
Interesting thread. I’m very bad at motivation, and for example going out tonight after work in the dark while it’s -1 worrying about the cost of temporarily heating the mancave enough to train in it whilst also having a tough time at work during an illness driven slump in fitness and ability …makes the sofa look good.
I try to remember the good rides, look forward to Christmas, understand it’s a long game until next years season etc but it’s very hard. I’m coming to the conclusion that giving up worrying and just “doing” would help, but I’m not built that way and need to invest in learning that.
Keep posting, it helps!
1 Like
Thanks for posting that link. It made me think, 2 years ago a race a 60+ guy turned up next to me. A short hello revealed his first ever race etc. After the event I asked him how he got on. “Surprisingly, I won” he said.
That’s really given me something to think about.
2 Likes
Too many obstacles. You have to make indoor training 100% obstacle free. Move the trainer indoors for the winter. Figure out a solution.
I used to hate indoor riding but I’ve come to enjoy it. It’s my time to binge watch some stupid tv that nobody else in the family wants to watch.
When thinking in the realm of self-care (I know you said motivation), one trap that we sometimes fall in is that self-care should feel good right now so we’ll talk ourselves out of self-care. As we talk ourselves out of things, it tends to lower our motivation to do things. “I don’t want to be in the dark, freezing and uncomfortable.” “Being stuck on the trainer isn’t as fun as outdoor rides.” Or @randomcoach posted “Hour 1: Man I feel gross after sitting inside working all week.” All valid reasons to not do a ride/workout especially giving grace considering things like time, safety, illness, recovery, and easing back into workouts. Definitely, remember or remind yourself of the previous after-ride feel goods and the future oriented gains/rewards. I would add to not forget the present. Others have chimed in on this. Lots of different directions you can take this. Here’s a few:
- Acceptance and “giving up worry and ‘just doing’” and “embracing the suck.”
- We do have some control over our life - “I have so much going on in life, but when I’m on my bike, I’m at peace. None of those things matter, right now. I can deal with them after.” Double-edge sword here, avoidance.
- Process goals - Hannah speaks on this often in the podcast. Smaller accomplishments to accomplish bigger goals. Typically, comes w/ higher motivations due to feeling more accomplished.
- Mindfulness, staying present
2 Likes
I haven’t read the whole thread, but I transitioned to biking from being a heads down runner that blew a foot (neuroma, biggest one the surgeon ever saw).
So biking it is…
I was so hooked on endorphins that I went into withdrawal waiting for the surgery. It was horrendous. So I took up riding, and rather quickly fell back into the quest for the buzz, and was riding 90+ minutes a day, 6 to 7 days a week. And then I exacerbated a genetic hip issue, and ignited my psoas and lower back muscles.
I’m a junkie.
I ran through the pain for close to 8 months with that neuroma. Stopped running when I couldn’t get enough ‘juice’ to kill the pain enough to finish a run.
But on the bike, I’m zoned in. I do my best thinking on the trainer. I love the exertion, the exhilaration, the spent feeling, the feeling of slaying a workout. I think I traded one drug (running) for another (riding). My wife confided that she was ‘concerned’ when I blew my foot running.
I’ve been wondering how to make it less of a ‘fix’, and more of a moment. Getting plantar fasciitis has been somewhat of a governor lately.
I do feel like I’d be ‘lost’ if I had to stop riding: it’s such a great feeling to ride (and bathe in those endorphins)