Ever struggle with training motivation? Me, too. I’ve been told the hardest part of any ride is the mere act of kitting up, clipping in and pedaling the first few revolutions. After that, it’s all gravy (organic, if available, thank you). But first, come the mind games (in a good way). Step one is coaxing a lackadaisical body into believing that everything will be OK when you know things will be more than strenuous in the hills or in the weekend pace line. Step two is thinking only about step one. Step three is to repeat steps one and two.
What I’m saying is this: Be sure to train more than your body. Train your mind. Encourage the little voice in your head to speak up louder when you know you’re plenty healthy to ride (not when sick or injured), but simply feeling lazy, fretful or distracted. It won’t hurt to spin a shorter distance if you don’t want to put down the hammer as initially intended. Just pedal. Look around. Realize how cool it is to go places under your own power. The bike isn’t a prison sentence or some arbitrary torture program. It can be an instrument of pain and a tool of speed. But it’s also a liberator, a pretty reliable path to happiness, and a connector of people. That’s how I’m feeling about my bikes on this Friday night before big miles planned in the morning. How about you? Photo credit: Team Garmin-Slipstream, 2009 Tour of California, Stage 8, on Highland Valley Road, San Diego, CA.
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Wise words again Jeff. I agree with your thoughts in respect to out bikes not being torture machines and the fact that a whole lot of our preparation is ‘in the mind’. I like a challenge, even tho some make me ‘nervy’ but I also I believe that if you are well prepared and are thinking positive, almost any length of ride is achievable. I recall your words of encouragement helped me ride my longest ride in one day and that was only 210K. Good luck for your weekend. I hope the wind will be at your back.
PS Liked you photo of “Big George”. Taken at the TDU if I am not mistaken.