After Montrose, in which I had an abysmal finish, I've spent the last two weeks in the start of something of an off-season. The cycling off-season to many is the time when you don't ride much, eat like a pig, indulge, and party. Well, maybe. I've never let myself relax enough to stop riding and really pig out. The off-season for me is always a time of re-evaluation of why I care about training and racing. My interest always ebbs and flows -- sometimes I'm gung-ho on driving five hours to race a CX series. Other times, and more usually, I find it hard to rationalize the expense of racing a local event only an hour from my door.
My training, though, is unlike my dedication to racing -- I always like feeling I'm working for something. The OSRS road series, Barry-Roubaix, and Schabobele in the spring, sure. All that stuff is in about three months and I have plenty of time to prepare. Or maybe I just won't care -- a lot of it is contingent upon discretionary funds, which I have very little of. Student loan payments, rent, food, all take away from racing. I'd rather eat than race my bike, sorry. Also, it's always free to ride to Highland Park, $4 for a mid-ride muffin and coffee. Plus, more fun. Racing's a good way of making riding a bike a horrible and stressful activity.
See what I mean? Evaluation of priorities.
This December, I've only been riding about three times a week in lieu of P90X workouts, coming out of a Simplefit routine. I'm not going to preach that gospel because any time that someone does, it comes off as shilling. But holy hell, does that protocol work. I've been fairly trim for a while, but even my hipster tight Levi's 511s are getting loose on the waist. Plus, the improvements to my core strength and flexibility are pretty evident to me.
I know cycling's a great workout and it's my primary form of exercise, but riding a bike lots is pretty bad for any muscles above the waist. When I'm 50, I want to look like and ride like Al Thom and to do so, I have to do other forms of exercise other an riding a bike. Steve Edward's website is a pretty good resource -- plus, he rides for Ritte, which is straight-up awesome.
I probably won't talk about this much, just because I know no one really cares.
Overwrought: Hang It On the Wall and Call It Art
8 hours ago
2 comments:
i care! i like to know what people do during the off season. im not one that can't work out during the day. i have to. have a great holiday zack!
I care. I think the question of motivation and purpose is very important.
In my busy days of working, parenting and husbandry I find the selfish ritual of racing an important outlet for stress. However, I'd say I get my best adventuring done on my training and commuting rides (I think you can attest to that).
When I see a 3 second clip of a skier in a start gate, or a cheesy Nike commercial about training I get pumped to race - I'll literally make motorcycle sounds or take a hard audible breath. I think this just makes me dorky, but I really love the spirit of competition - the focus, sacrifice and dedication that comes with it.
I think I'm rambling...
Anyway, the workout stuff you're talking about has me interested. I need to broaden my exercise regime past just riding my bike. Ive got no gym, nor a place to do a video work out. I think I need to start doing some simple jump rope and push up kind of stuff but I have no idea where to begin or how to stay on a schedule...
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