Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Disgusted with myself!!

I have been off the bike for three weeks due to the flue and a death in the family. I was up to ten miles a day with no problem. Today, I went on a ride and was in bad shape at 3 1/2 miles. I am so frustrated and disgusted with myself. I actually feel so frustrated I thought of taking my new bike back to the store and just giving up. I seriously need to lose 50-60 lbs. I feel like I am in such a setback right now. I don't want this to be a pity post but I just have to vent.

Hey, chin up...

You got in a 3.5 mile ride. If you hadn't been riding, you would have been doing what?

Everyone has a bad day...

Now, for your next ride, if you ride 3.6 miles or more, instead of feeling bad about not getting up to 10 miles, feel good that you rode more than 3.5!!!

You've learned a lesson about conditioning. More than a week off the bike = drastic drop in bike conditioning. Lucky for you it comes back within a week if you keep riding. So keep riding.

Get back in the saddle, the conditioning will come back.

As requested, no pity from me. However I will offer a kick in the shins if you quit on us.

I'd say take a few minutes and visualize what it will feel like to be able to ride 10, 15, 20 miles. Then be pragmatic and commit yourself to working up slowly to those goals again.

Also, a recent death in the family is definitely going to impact your riding. So give yourself some space to work through that and build up your mileage again. Exercise in general is a great way to improve your mood and overall mental health.

We're here to keep you honest...please let us know when you've completed another ride.

Scott

+1 one sticking with it. I seem to get set back with weather a lot and I see a big drop in my millage. Yesterday I set out to see where I was at. I finally had a nice day to ride. My all time best is 35.5 miles. I got 6.75 into my ride and I had a break down that sent me home. The bike gods are mad at me right now I guess. Just remember things will always get better. Its only a matter of time before you are complaining when you 'only ride those short 10 mile rides'. Then comes the complaints about the 'short 20 mile' rides.

Stick with it! Setbacks are what makes life exciting. I see myself and biking like a beaten dog who always loves to come back for more because it's so much fun to ride.

Today at the night races will be another one of those beatings. I can't wait!

One day... I will dish out!

You will bounce back quicker than you expect. After that you will continue to improve so keep at it. The LBS won't take the bike back because you changed your mind about fitness anyway ;)

The spirit of man is one that pulls through.

Just work your way back up. It'll come faster the 2nd time!
One thing that REALLY helps is to ride every day. Even if it's just around the block, it helps to prevent you from reverting, condition wise.

Keep a record of your weight and of the miles you ride through the days of the year. When you get a setback, look back to the time of previous setbacks and marvel about how you regained lost ground. I had a real setback when I was on the road without a bicycle for three weeks. I gained weight. Yet, a couple of months later I weighed less than when I went on the road. My riding distances came back, too.

I agree with everbody. Just hang in there. It will come back fast. You have to remember your body is still trying to recover from the flu. That is no easy task and takes a while.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I just got so damn mad at myself. I have decided to take it as a learning lesson and to keep on the bike no less than every other day. I'll just set small goals and work to achieve them one at a time.

I hear ya on the frustration and weight loss. I wouldn't think of it that you have to lose 60 pounds - think of losing one pound for this week. That doesn't sound bad does it? Then do it again next week.

If you can't get on the bike try going up a few flights of stairs - I did that this winter and it helps.

......I'll just set small goals and work to achieve them one at a time.
Thats the way to do it. Be it riding faster, not dropping to the small chainring for that hill down the street, fitting into those one size too small pants. What ever it is, make your small goals and shoot for them. This way you can enjoy every step of your improvement.

The three weeks off almost certainly had little or nothing to do with it. The flu might have been the cause, or it might be mostly emotional/mental.

Why did you decide to attack yourself mentally? Three weeks with a disease and a death. Sheesh. Don't let your ego subvert you like that. You were at 10 miles a day, you'll be back there and more.

Just like the road, life is hills and valleys. Just accept yourself, good days and bad. This too shall pass.

I've had days where I couldn't make it to the end of the block; and that was downhill. So I turned around and called in sick. But a few days later I was back on the commute and a little while later I was back up to speed. The Tao Te Ching says it... "Sometimes things are ahead, sometimes things are behind."

This isn't a setback, it's not even a speed bump. :D

This forum is just too great! Everyone is so supportive. It sure helps get your mind right when you have so much support.

+1 to all the great suggestions.

Patrick,

Sorry to hear about the death in your family. That is always a stressful and trying time. We all have bad days and sometimes they come in bunches. Just try to focus on the good days and that will often help pull you through the tough times. That goes for life as well as riding.

Hang in there.

Start over.

I took 3 weeks off last year to go to Europe. At the time I was riding 20-25 miles a day. When I got back I had to start my routine over until I got back into shape. It takes only a few weeks. Think of it this way, you'll be back in riding shape just in time for the warm weather.