Originally Posted by
jboyd
Wow! That is a BIG statement. Good for you. I am always amazed how the rides that I have enjoyed the most, were the ones that when finished, I looked at the computer and thought "huh, didn't realize I went that far" Conversely, when I pre-planned a 30-40 mile ride, I would find myself grinding my teeth thinking, "crap, I am only 1/5 the way to my end, and this hurts or that hurts".
I think each of us is wired different and therefore our goal will be different. I have people around me, who can not accept the concept of not winning, of not always besting theirselves or those around them. I on the other hand could give a crap less. I like to finish what I start, but if finishing is going to be a bigger problem then not, I can turn around and not feel any remorse.
I like to consider every ride an adventure and not a routine. i don't like routines (another wiring issue).
bdinger, you did things last year that had most of us in total amazement. Your "Gravel Road" adventure was on the top of best posts of the year for me. I do remember you lamenting about not reaching the golden nugget of mileage on that trip. As I read that, I kept laughing and shaking my head thinking, "Dude, you have climbed a mountain compared to many of us, and yet you are mentally beating yourself over a few additional miles"
Good luck to you. You were one of my heros before this declaration.
Jay
Wow, I'm humbled, thank you! I came to this realization myself last year when I started riding my hardrock, which was sans computer, as I lost my faith in my computer-equipped bike. When I bought the LHT I figured I'd give it a shot to try to get in more of the spirit of the bike and because I could use the money for more upgrades!
I am so with you on routines. SO with you.
Originally Posted by
txvintage
I didn't track mileage in 08. I put my computer back in service on New Years eve.
We'll see how it goes. I don't know that it will be an obsession, but it will help keep me honest as far as reaching some training needs in the near term.
That's one thing I'm mixed on, to be honest, because I have some definite training goals in '09 that require lots of work. I'm going to try to instead focus on length of the ride time-wise and some goals during it. Crossing my fingers.
Originally Posted by
epcolt
My mileage "goal" is what the total is at the end of the year, and how much fun it was! If I get in 10 and not 50 thats ok.
See, that's the absolutely perfect attitude to have I think. That keeps it fun, and I wish I could track miles and still think that way
Originally Posted by
jgjulio
I don't do mileage goals. My goal is number of days a week that I bike. My wife are biking together and we do it 4 days a week - like a religion.
Mileage varies but we do keep minimums in mind when we go. These minimums creep up wards.
This works for both of us.
There you go! That's precisely what I'm doing, trying to go for time, not miles. I'm crossing my fingers..
Originally Posted by
youcoming
Wow I'm the exact oppistite as you. I need goals as I have a goal driven mentality. If I have no goal I do nothing except sit on coach and eat chips. Even if I don't make the goal I still strive for it. I learned a long time ago that if I miss a goal because of things I have no control over than I don't feel bad. It's the stuff I do control that the goal helps me with.
Yeah see, I'm similar, but at the same time I really obsess over stuff. So I get to the point where I nonsensically guilt myself over things. Like.. getting "only" a 20 miler in, instead of 25. Or 135 instead of 150. The list goes on forever. There's the other side where without a goal I could fail.. but I'm hoping that doesn't happen. Really hoping.