I need help . . . but first, a rant.
08-26-16, 12:37 PM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109
Bikes: s-1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I limited myself to 1 glass of red wine last night at dinner, and had a reasonably healthy but hearty meal. Went to bed early, slept great, maintained my fast for 14 hours, had a lean and clean vegetarian breakfast around 11am, and just went out and CRUSHED (for me anyway) a 6.6 mile run, despite the heat and humidity. I set my second fastest 10k, just 44 seconds off my PR. I managed to stay focused this morning at work, and honestly I'm feeling pretty great today.
It's funny how quickly you forget how good it feels to feel good (if that makes sense). Or rather, when you feel kinda crappy for a couple weeks on end, you forget just how crappy you feel because you have nothing immediate to compare it to. Anyway, one day at a time!
It's funny how quickly you forget how good it feels to feel good (if that makes sense). Or rather, when you feel kinda crappy for a couple weeks on end, you forget just how crappy you feel because you have nothing immediate to compare it to. Anyway, one day at a time!
08-26-16, 06:46 PM
#27
Senior Member
yeah I think the drinking is just an outlet, it lets me shut off. I used to live in CO and at the time I used to turn to other legal alternatives, but since moving back to NY and quitting the green stuff, my other option for self medication has increased . . . not sure what it means, just being honest.
the interesting thing is that I'm not at all an angry drunk, I don't blackout, actually I'd say I rarely get "drunk," I just have several drinks over the course of several hours maintaining a buzz. then the next thing you know it's after midnight, sleep suffers, then work suffers, then the cycle continues.
I read an interesting article about how alcohol treatment in the US is often seen as binary, either you're an alcoholic or not. if your drinking doesn't cause immediate issues in your life, like getting a DUI or getting arrested for public indecency or going broke or losing your job or having physical withdrawal, then you aren't seen as having an alcohol problem and are therefore not treated. I can't remember the last time I "blacked out drunk" but it's been a while since I went say 3 days without a single drink. the funny/sad part is that buffalo is a very thirsty town, and my level of drinking is only excessive in it's relative frequency (say 5 days a week) when I actually drink MUCH less at a time than most people I know. Just google "Bills Pregame" and grab the popcorn. It's pretty pathetic actually.
the interesting thing is that I'm not at all an angry drunk, I don't blackout, actually I'd say I rarely get "drunk," I just have several drinks over the course of several hours maintaining a buzz. then the next thing you know it's after midnight, sleep suffers, then work suffers, then the cycle continues.
I read an interesting article about how alcohol treatment in the US is often seen as binary, either you're an alcoholic or not. if your drinking doesn't cause immediate issues in your life, like getting a DUI or getting arrested for public indecency or going broke or losing your job or having physical withdrawal, then you aren't seen as having an alcohol problem and are therefore not treated. I can't remember the last time I "blacked out drunk" but it's been a while since I went say 3 days without a single drink. the funny/sad part is that buffalo is a very thirsty town, and my level of drinking is only excessive in it's relative frequency (say 5 days a week) when I actually drink MUCH less at a time than most people I know. Just google "Bills Pregame" and grab the popcorn. It's pretty pathetic actually.
You have a self-admitted history of substance abuse (even though it's been legal). My biggest fear is that you might be the sort of person who drives a motor vehicle (because you feel OK after a skinful), cleans up a cyclist or pedestrian or driver.
It's up to you to change your behaviour, whether that is with professional help or on your own. Your own recognition of having a problem might get you half way there.
Good luck with your life management.
08-26-16, 06:56 PM
#28
Senior Member
08-27-16, 11:08 AM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109
Bikes: s-1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You have a self-admitted history of substance abuse (even though it's been legal). My biggest fear is that you might be the sort of person who drives a motor vehicle (because you feel OK after a skinful), cleans up a cyclist or pedestrian or driver.
It's up to you to change your behaviour, whether that is with professional help or on your own. Your own recognition of having a problem might get you half way there.
Good luck with your life management.
It's up to you to change your behaviour, whether that is with professional help or on your own. Your own recognition of having a problem might get you half way there.
Good luck with your life management.
08-27-16, 12:17 PM
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109
Bikes: s-1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
while I appreciate all the responses, the conversation seems to have gotten stuck on the alcohol consumption, but really my intention was to ask overall about how you get over a training slump, or how you stay motivated when the scale temporarily moves in the wrong direction. what has worked for you to keep you motivated late in the season when you've already put in a ton of time for the year?
08-27-16, 02:03 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,846
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,822 Times
in
1,541 Posts
while I appreciate all the responses, the conversation seems to have gotten stuck on the alcohol consumption, but really my intention was to ask overall about how you get over a training slump, or how you stay motivated when the scale temporarily moves in the wrong direction. what has worked for you to keep you motivated late in the season when you've already put in a ton of time for the year?
doing something breaks the cycle that I put my self in, and then helps remind me this is life and life has ups and downs and complications....and you have to deal with them
Example.... between vacations, work, bad ankle sprain, getting kid off to college, having our plumbing hosed up do to a failed water softener I hadn't rode, exercised, etc for 6 weeks. And I found my self putting it off.
I commuted to work yesterday...didn't use map my ride, didn't use my ccylometer (needs a battery) I just rode. it felt good to ride and I knew I had lost aerobic fitness, didn't need numbers to bring be down, instead just happy I rode and broke the log jam in my head.
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
08-27-16, 04:58 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You start two threads specifically about your drinking patterns and how they are affecting your life and now you want to avoid the topic?
That is a classic example of denial.
That is a classic example of denial.
08-27-16, 05:24 PM
#33
Watching and waiting.
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mattoon,Ill
Posts: 2,023
Bikes: Trek 7300 Trek Madone 4.5 Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There's definitely a duality here in that beyond a certain point the effort needed to improve one's fitness works as an anti-motivational force to continue. This can reach a crisis when one has unrealistic goals. For me personally as a 60 ish guy that spent his adult life programing computers a realistic goal is to maintain cycling mediocrity. I once had a 5000 mile season where 3000 miles of that was counter productive. So it's not like a lack of effort kept me from getting faster.
08-27-16, 05:38 PM
#34
Senior Member
while I appreciate all the responses, the conversation seems to have gotten stuck on the alcohol consumption, but really my intention was to ask overall about how you get over a training slump, or how you stay motivated when the scale temporarily moves in the wrong direction. what has worked for you to keep you motivated late in the season when you've already put in a ton of time for the year?
FWIW, take a look at the last page of the Addiction thread in the Road Forum at the moment. If you want to see how people, who take care of themselves, look at end-of-season motivation, that's a great starting point.
08-29-16, 03:54 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: some where In ga
Posts: 377
Bikes: 2016 giant advanced carbon disc bike ,w HED belgiums,dt swiss 350 hubs,all new ultegra drive train etc
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
First ,here's my take ,
I was 350 now down to 270 . I can't shake any more ,I'm up to my 2nd yr cycling and over 3000 miles ytd
I get burnt out sometimes with a hard work load n a full hvac business too , but you gotta push thru
Think of the positives , you've got a job, you've got a wife . You've got the blessing of a child , and the good lords still got your heart pumping... just get out and ride and enjoy the scenery , your living a blessed life whether you think your not you are , just get out and ride ..
I was 350 now down to 270 . I can't shake any more ,I'm up to my 2nd yr cycling and over 3000 miles ytd
I get burnt out sometimes with a hard work load n a full hvac business too , but you gotta push thru
Think of the positives , you've got a job, you've got a wife . You've got the blessing of a child , and the good lords still got your heart pumping... just get out and ride and enjoy the scenery , your living a blessed life whether you think your not you are , just get out and ride ..
08-29-16, 05:08 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,238
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,541 Times
in
7,329 Posts
08-29-16, 07:12 AM
#37
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109
Bikes: s-1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
got out with a couple buddies yesterday for a 35 mile coffee shop ride and it was awesome. I think a big part of the problem is that I've been riding alone too often and I just get bored with it. having a couple other guys around and some sprints thrown in the mix definitely livened things up.
also, last night, I made a point to do something which I had gotten away from, which was to have absolutely everything ready to go by the door and laid out all my kit before I went to bed, so I had literally no excuse not to ride in to work. it's finally cooling off in the mornings and it was a nice, easy commute.
08-29-16, 07:47 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,238
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,541 Times
in
7,329 Posts
also, last night, I made a point to do something which I had gotten away from, which was to have absolutely everything ready to go by the door and laid out all my kit before I went to bed, so I had literally no excuse not to ride in to work. it's finally cooling off in the mornings and it was a nice, easy commute.
That's what I do for pre-work road rides. Have everything in a pile, ready to put on. I commute in regular shorts and a synthetic t-shirt, and it's only two miles, so that's not an issue. BTW...One thing you can do to make the morning commute more tolerable is wet your top before you put it on. I am in Philly hand have ridden to work in heat indexes near 90 this summer. The evaporative cooling of a wet top really makes a difference.
08-29-16, 08:39 AM
#39
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109
Bikes: s-1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Unfortunately it's not always just the heat that's the issue, it's the humidity. There have been several days lately where it's so humid that when I sweat, it doesn't evaporate AT ALL, which contributes to overheating, and more sweat. This does not motivate me to get out and exert myself lol.
Last Friday I went for a long run and it got so bad I looked like I literally got into a pool, every inch of my clothing was sopping wet. I took my shirt off and literally rung it out before I went back into the office.
Last Friday I went for a long run and it got so bad I looked like I literally got into a pool, every inch of my clothing was sopping wet. I took my shirt off and literally rung it out before I went back into the office.
08-29-16, 08:51 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,395
Bikes: Too many to list
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1765 Post(s)
Liked 1,124 Times
in
746 Posts
while I appreciate all the responses, the conversation seems to have gotten stuck on the alcohol consumption, but really my intention was to ask overall about how you get over a training slump, or how you stay motivated when the scale temporarily moves in the wrong direction. what has worked for you to keep you motivated late in the season when you've already put in a ton of time for the year?
Just go for a few rides and leave the Garmin at home--- not every ride has to be a training effort
I mountain bike to try to keep the fun in cycling when the road gets to be too much of a chore
08-29-16, 09:51 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sorry, I was wrong
My apologies, I stand humbled and corrected. I do believe removing all alcohol consumption from the equation would make a significant positive.
08-29-16, 12:05 PM
#42
buy my bikes
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,800
Bikes: my very own customized GUNNAR CrossHairs
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 519 Post(s)
Liked 428 Times
in
249 Posts
while I appreciate all the responses, the conversation seems to have gotten stuck on the alcohol consumption, but really my intention was to ask overall about how you get over a training slump, or how you stay motivated when the scale temporarily moves in the wrong direction. what has worked for you to keep you motivated late in the season when you've already put in a ton of time for the year?
(although the 2-days in a row at 85 miles per day with camping gear took a bit out of me......)
08-29-16, 12:53 PM
#43
got the climbing bug
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,204
Bikes: one for everything
Mentioned: 82 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Liked 908 Times
in
273 Posts
you sir need cyclo cross in your life!! Get one it before the snow comes
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
08-29-16, 01:22 PM
#44
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109
Bikes: s-1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
no reason to be humbled, and I am aware that removing alcohol from the equation is probably something I seriously need to consider as I have noticed a pattern. one day at a time
08-29-16, 01:23 PM
#45
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,109
Bikes: s-1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
sigh that's what everyone keeps saying lol, the shops around here (and most of my roadie friends) are all cross crazy. I don't get it, but to be fair, I haven't tried it. Guess I'm gonna have to suck it up one of these thursdays and hit up a practice!
08-29-16, 01:29 PM
#46
got the climbing bug
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,204
Bikes: one for everything
Mentioned: 82 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Liked 908 Times
in
273 Posts
to me, its the hardest form of bike racing and is fastest way to want to puke when you get off the bike. 20-30 mins of all out craziness. Sprint from the start to the first corner and won't let off for 15 mins. crashing on grass usually doesn't hurt, rubbing is racing 
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ill.clyde
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
40
09-11-14 01:20 PM
WonderMonkey
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
7
07-25-13 07:48 AM
