A Lapse of Motivation

Target Rides - 1 x 25, 2 x 45, 1 x 50

Actual Rides - 1 x 25
                        1 x 52
                        1 x 51
                        1 x 39

It had to happen at some point, but this week I've struggled with motivation.  For the first time since I started training, getting my bike out has felt like a chore, rather than excitement, and I've even asked myself the question "why on earth am I doing this?".

I took a day off work on Thursday, and Bob drove me to Penrith, where I had plotted a lovely scenic and fairly hilly route through the Eden Valley.  However, I had dressed to the forecast, and had completely underestimated the strength and temperature of the wind.  Lesson learned!  Very soon my feet were freezing, my legs were tired, my lungs hurt, the hills kept me warm but the downhill bits were cold.  Instead of enjoying the views, I found myself battling with the wind and feeling very sorry for myself.  What I should have done was to stop for a coffee somewhere to re-charge, but my route didn't pass through much civilisation, and I just wanted to get home. I was very tired and a bit dejected that night.

One drunken evening last weekend, I'd managed to persuade Bob, Cameron, Rick and Will to come out to play on Good Friday (Rick and Will on their tandem!).  I had in mind a 33 mile flat route, with at least 2 pub stops, and I put in a few miles beforehand to keep to target.  It was a gorgeous sunny day, but I hadn't accounted for the fact that none of the others had been on a bike since last autumn, so the distance was a bit ambitious and the last half hour wasn't much fun for any of us.  Another lesson learned.  I woke up on Saturday feeling really tired and achey, but I had to do another ride.  I had the offer to join a group going out on the fells, so I set off with them for a hilly but scenic 39 miles.  It took me a long time to get going properly, but by the end I was feeling great, and I knew I could have carried on for a few more miles.  Motivation restored!

www.justgiving.com/JanesBigTrip

Good Friday - turned out to be pretty good with Bob, Cameron, Rick and Will (and Talullah, the tandem!)

Up on the fells in the sunshine with Gill, Martin, Debbie and Simon.