Training & Nutrition - Post your ideas to get people out of a "Rut?"

From 2003-2007 I was stuck in a rut. By the end of 2003 I had gotten all that I could from Riding my bike 10 hours a week 9 months out of the year. I thought the only way that I could progress was to ride my bike more which I did not have time to do. My typical week would be Monday off, Tuesday 1 hour ride, Wednesday High intensity Practice race 2 hours, Thursday off, Friday 1 hour ride, Saturday 4 hour ride group ride with sprint intervals. Sunday 2 hour ride. I was racing in the Sport Category (cat 3) and would sometime attemp to move up Expert (cat 2) but would get my butt handed to me. In 2007, I decided to start a cycling training routine that incorporated working out off the bike to online Videos and that made all the difference. I broke free from my rut and was winning expert races. I am excited to train everyday and look forward to the strength building exercises that take me off the bike.

What got me out of my Rut was a training routine that helped me build strength, stamina and mental tougness off the bike?

Are you in a Rut? What has gotten you out of a Rut in the past?

Many of us have a jobs, family and other commitments that limit the amount of time we have to ride. That being said please do not post: "ride more. " That is an obvious one that everyone already knows.

The best advice I ever received from a coach was to "take two weeks off, then quit".

Check your cable channel.. if you have NBC's Universal sports channel, they have been rebroadcasting the past 8 years of the Kona Ironman Championships. These productions are half about the elite competitors and half about the everyday (and surprising) people that do it. They are very well narated and edited. You will be VERY motivated when you are done. I am NOT a triathlete but the age groupers (everyday people) are very inspiring.

Last years is available on HULU.com

http://www.hulu.com/watch/52585/ford-ironman-world-championship-2008-ironman-world-championships

I watched the Ironman last year. Funny thing. I didn't want to run, bike or swim. I just wanted to lie on the couch and drink Bud light. Go figure.

I watched the Ironman last year. Funny thing. I didn't want to run, bike or swim. I just wanted to lie on the couch and drink Bud light. Go figure. Hey.. at least you went for the LITE beer. I'm more inclined to go for a double IPA. mmmm. It's almost noon.

Check your cable channel.. if you have NBC's Universal sports channel, they have been rebroadcasting the past 8 years of the Kona Ironman Championships. These productions are half about the elite competitors and half about the everyday (and surprising) people that do it. They are very well narated and edited. You will be VERY motivated when you are done. I am NOT a triathlete but the age groupers (everyday people) are very inspiring.

Last years is available on HULU.com

http://www.hulu.com/watch/52585/ford-ironman-world-championship-2008-ironman-world-championships


I have to admit that the coverage of the Ironman makes me tear up every year.

Buy a new bike.

I realized my commitments limited the time I could spend with my bike, so I quit my job, faked my own death, and went on tour with the money from my life insurance policy.

I realized my commitments limited the time I could spend with my bike, so I quit my job, faked my own death, and went on tour with the money from my life insurance policy.

HA!! I was just daydreaming that idea during a very boring meeting.

I changed my route commuting to a longer route, through a different part of town, and that seems to have shaken me up a bit.

The new route has more traffic in places, less in others. Some urban, some country roads. Plus, I have to leave earlier, so that has shaken up my entire morning routine. I leave for home earlier too, to avoid traffic. Also, to avoid the rush, I don't like to "daydream" while I am riding, I ride as fast as I can.

It has made me excited about riding again. Just the change I was looking for.

Buy a new bike.

+1 - forget the "newness" of it. The fact that I spent XXX dollars on it guilts me into riding more.