Coping with Working Late...
10-14-14, 08:06 AM
#26
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Thanks for the ideas and replies. I actually love riding my bike to and from work. I always feel better when I bike to work vs. driving.
It just seems that 10 hours seems to be some kind of cut-off for me, where my motivation/energy to do anything after that (aside from drive home) is close to nil. If I work 8 hours, I generally look forward to the ride home and enjoy it. If I work 8-10 hours, I might feel tired, but I usually am happy after I ride for a bit. After a 10-12 hour day, I feel spent - physically, psychologically, intellectually... It is hard for me to summon up motivation for the ride home.
I feel very safe on my commute, that is not a concern. Lights might be a factor. I have a Nightrider Lumina 650 on my handlebars now and I was going to use another light on my helmet after daylight savings. The discussion about lights made me think of another possible factor. I have a thyroid disorder and have taken thyroid hormone for about 10 years. One thing I have noticed since taking the thyroid hormone is that my night vision is not as good. I also need to get a new pair of glasses & I've been procrastinating about doing this. My new prescription is just a tiny bit stronger than my current one. I have terrible vision and am pretty much blind without glasses.
As far as creatine goes, I don't know. I'm female and the the possibility of losing hair and retaining more water doesn't seem very appealing. Since taking thyroid hormone, I have found that I can build muscle easily if I work out regularly and eat well. If I don't work out a lot or eat well, than I put on fat easily...
Maybe I'll try a smaller cup of coffee closer to the ride home if I am tired. I will also experiment with getting new glasses and a stronger light.
It just seems that 10 hours seems to be some kind of cut-off for me, where my motivation/energy to do anything after that (aside from drive home) is close to nil. If I work 8 hours, I generally look forward to the ride home and enjoy it. If I work 8-10 hours, I might feel tired, but I usually am happy after I ride for a bit. After a 10-12 hour day, I feel spent - physically, psychologically, intellectually... It is hard for me to summon up motivation for the ride home.
I feel very safe on my commute, that is not a concern. Lights might be a factor. I have a Nightrider Lumina 650 on my handlebars now and I was going to use another light on my helmet after daylight savings. The discussion about lights made me think of another possible factor. I have a thyroid disorder and have taken thyroid hormone for about 10 years. One thing I have noticed since taking the thyroid hormone is that my night vision is not as good. I also need to get a new pair of glasses & I've been procrastinating about doing this. My new prescription is just a tiny bit stronger than my current one. I have terrible vision and am pretty much blind without glasses.
As far as creatine goes, I don't know. I'm female and the the possibility of losing hair and retaining more water doesn't seem very appealing. Since taking thyroid hormone, I have found that I can build muscle easily if I work out regularly and eat well. If I don't work out a lot or eat well, than I put on fat easily...
Maybe I'll try a smaller cup of coffee closer to the ride home if I am tired. I will also experiment with getting new glasses and a stronger light.
Its not a question of making excuses, its good to pressure ourselves to do more but sometimes, we need to listen to ourselves.
Honestly, 10-12 hours is a lot even for a manager (because, you know, you manage, you're not doing anything right?
btw, I used to be a manager 
). Working too much can lead to burn-out, its serious, listen to yourself.
10-14-14, 08:24 AM
#27
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This is some serious broscience. You are clueless.
FYI...Creatine is only useful for people who do power sports such as, powerlifting, bodybuilding, track sprinting, short duration HIT workouts, etc...Creatine will do absolutely nothing for an average commuter cyclist besides causing weight gain from water retention in their bodies.
FYI...Creatine is only useful for people who do power sports such as, powerlifting, bodybuilding, track sprinting, short duration HIT workouts, etc...Creatine will do absolutely nothing for an average commuter cyclist besides causing weight gain from water retention in their bodies.
10-14-14, 08:29 AM
#28
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Something else. Florescent light isn't very good for us and can make us feel tired because it is missing most of the color spectrum, is completely devoid of anything red or above, and comes with a quite unnatural flicker. Sometimes just a single 60w or 100w incandescent desk light can make a huge difference. In addition you can remove some of the florescent tubes above your cube or in your office. A few LED's are also fairly good spectrum wise (I think all are better than florescent but most by just a minor bit) if you want to be energy conscious.
10-14-14, 11:02 AM
#29
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Save some life for life. Work is good for us but too much is quite unhealthy….
Just having a bit of time for yourself every day will improve your energy (and work performance). Make sure you eat three good meals…Cut out junk food and between meal snacks…A change of environment can help too …
Get up and walk around a bit at least once per hour if your job involves sitting…
If you are more of a morning person can you shift your workday an hour earlier?
Just having a bit of time for yourself every day will improve your energy (and work performance). Make sure you eat three good meals…Cut out junk food and between meal snacks…A change of environment can help too …
Get up and walk around a bit at least once per hour if your job involves sitting…
If you are more of a morning person can you shift your workday an hour earlier?
I'm particularly interested in life-management issues, including time management (I’m not retired). For the past 10 years or so I have subscribed to a life management strategy called “The Power of Full Engagement,” by the book of the same name. (DISCLAIMER: I am not a cultist and not soliciting.)
The basic premise of Full Engagement is that optimal performance is more dependent on management of energy than management of time. I had a vague ideation of this principle, and it was solidified after reading the book. I’m fortunate in my job that within limits, I can manage my activities around my energy levels. Furthermore for me, cycling is a premier energy-restorative activity. For example the increased time spent commuting on the bike yields a lucrative return in energy…. Just sayin,’ FWIW.
The basic premise of Full Engagement is that optimal performance is more dependent on management of energy than management of time. I had a vague ideation of this principle, and it was solidified after reading the book. I’m fortunate in my job that within limits, I can manage my activities around my energy levels. Furthermore for me, cycling is a premier energy-restorative activity. For example the increased time spent commuting on the bike yields a lucrative return in energy…. Just sayin,’ FWIW.
Sometimes out on the Road, I encounter other cyclists and I bring up Bike Forums. I occasionally get a smarmy reply like, “Well, I’d rather be riding my bike than writing about it.” I reply, “Well, I post about riding my bike when I’m working and can’t be riding.”
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-14-14 at 11:09 AM.
10-14-14, 11:27 AM
#30
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I find there's more to the difference between riding home in the dark and the light than just the darkness outside. I can't really describe it, but I generally prefer to ride home in the dark because there are fewer people out, I'm more visible with my lights and it's more peaceful. But it's definitely different, and sometimes it's different enough to be less enjoyable.
10-14-14, 11:31 AM
#31
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Personally, I ride competitively and tried to snatch the extra time available for commuting to and from work. First there was the inconvenience of having to shower when arriving at work, second stocking a locker full of clothes and then riding through busy city traffic. After a number of close misses in traffic with cars not watching for a cyclist, it lasted three months. I reckoned that if I could keep this up for a year without a serious crash, I would be lucky.
Depending on time of season, I train between 10 - 17 hours a week, including some long days, and business travel.
The only solution was a professional indoor training bike, giving me the flexibility to ride any time when home.
At the end of the day, it depends on your cycling objective, mine is first health and second competition to keep the motivation going, so I have a challenge to work/train for.
If you just enjoy riding, commute when you have the opportunity and don't when conditions are not favorable.
Depending on time of season, I train between 10 - 17 hours a week, including some long days, and business travel.
The only solution was a professional indoor training bike, giving me the flexibility to ride any time when home.
At the end of the day, it depends on your cycling objective, mine is first health and second competition to keep the motivation going, so I have a challenge to work/train for.
If you just enjoy riding, commute when you have the opportunity and don't when conditions are not favorable.
10-14-14, 11:41 AM
#32
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I totally sympathize with the OP. Altho commuting is great exercise and a stress reliever, working extra long days saps a lot of energy and motivation -- and also eats into the limited amount of free time we all have after work. I have bike commuted on many occasions when I have to work overtime, it makes a long day even longer. Fortunately I don't face that choice very often.
Perhaps you could take steps to free up time in other ways. Eating out or picking up food at lunch or on the way home from work. Taking a shorter or longer lunch break, or at a different time than usual. Going into work later. Doing some of your work from home.
Also, having a good light system (front and rear) makes a big difference in how enjoyable your night-time commutes are, in addition to making you safer.
Perhaps you could take steps to free up time in other ways. Eating out or picking up food at lunch or on the way home from work. Taking a shorter or longer lunch break, or at a different time than usual. Going into work later. Doing some of your work from home.
Also, having a good light system (front and rear) makes a big difference in how enjoyable your night-time commutes are, in addition to making you safer.
10-14-14, 11:53 AM
#33
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I used to go to work at 4am and get home at 9:30 pm,6 days a week,mostly 7....for 26 years I didn't see the sun.
Sounds like a gravy job to me.....
Sounds like a gravy job to me.....
10-14-14, 01:27 PM
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During those times (which is most of the time) when I'm working long hours, although I often feel wiped out before the ride home, I do very much appreciate cycling the roads with fewer drivers, as long as my gear is running smooth, and I always feel a lot better afterwards. Some coffee before the trek is nice.
I sometimes regret leaving the office "early", because the rush hour drivers are often such confused, clueless, angry, stupid, distracted A-holes, and I hate needing to slug down two good beers just to get back to even keel after the ride.
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Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
10-14-14, 06:38 PM
#35
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I too am female and work 10+ hours a day. I don't want to bike home in the dark either at the end of the day; sometimes I procrastinate at work just so that I don't have to get on my bike. But I do, it's not that fun in the dark; for me I feel a bit unsafe.
However, when I do get home from my bike ride, grab a bite to eat, and place my a$$ on the couch to watch tv or surf the net, I know I've done a lot in the day and don't have to get up to do a workout. I just enjoy the rest of the evening, fully relaxed and ready for a good night's sleep.
However, when I do get home from my bike ride, grab a bite to eat, and place my a$$ on the couch to watch tv or surf the net, I know I've done a lot in the day and don't have to get up to do a workout. I just enjoy the rest of the evening, fully relaxed and ready for a good night's sleep.
10-14-14, 11:09 PM
#36
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I have appreciated reading everyone's thoughts about this. It is true that I could probably manage things at work a bit better to avoid long days. I was recently promoted during a context of some staff turnover and a lot of organizational changes. Prior to this shift, I biked to work for a few years and I very rarely had days that went over 10 hours. Since the promotion, there have been a lot of critical issues to be resolved, plus the learning curve of a new job. I expect/hope that my hours will reduce in the next couple months.
Currently, I am trying to "plan" my overtime and drive when I think I need to stay late, usually 1-2 days a week right now.
that my hours will reduce in the next couple months. Currently, I am trying to "plan" my overtime and drive when I think I need to stay late, usually 1-2 days a week right now.
10-15-14, 07:50 AM
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Right now, I am only riding to work once a week. On that day (normally Wednesday), I have a recurring private appointment on my calendar at the end of the day so that I can leave at a decent hour and avoid the worst traffic. I still get the occasional "late" meeting that I cannot avoid, but generally, it keeps them to a minimum.
10-15-14, 09:08 AM
#38
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Glad it's not just me feeling so unenthusiastic about the commute home in the dark. I never look forward to it, unless it's summer and nice weather, but I always feel better for it. I think I'd come home like a bear with a sore head if I didn't have my de-stress cycle!
