Why do you train?

Oh God this.

• to feel strong
  
• to maintain the momentum of getting out of bed each day rather than just ending it all
  
• to be a role model for my son (genes alone are not a free pass in life)
  
• to win/get on podiums/beat club records/get Strava course records for stupid pointless fun
  
• to enjoy that occasional moment in a race where you sense the main rival/s crack (something primal and a bit ugly, but the lizard brain likes what it likes)
  
• to enjoy food more
  

Very pleased to be on Amey's list.

Unfortunately I don't train and I haven't meaningfully ridden my bike since about 2015. I did some turbo sessions during lockdown to try and keep my BMI out of the clinically obese range, but due to work and being a dad I ended up doing them so late in the evening I needed to eat just before bed time and I think I gained more weight as a result. 😭

I'm not sure I ever reached a level as a cyclist that was worth maintaining, but I did as a runner (at least to my own satisfaction). I try not to think about that when I plod around a short jog these days.

My definition of training probably different.

I usually do some kind of running race a couple of times a year. My self respect is integral to finishing near the front. But really I race to train...it’s my excuse to get out.

Cycling is complementary to the running and often more fun. So I do a fair amount (probably more of that). Very little structure, just decide whether it should be a hilly ride or a really hilly ride.

I was once told you can’t out run entropy...but it’s your duty to try and do so.

'Training' is the metronome to my life. I find that without it I veer off in weird directions; drink too much, eat badly, don't work well, shit husband, etcetera

There's also an entry level of fitness you need to do things like a *Cent Cols - and it's pretty high - so the easiest way to get that level of fitness is by maintaining yourself and keeping your level respectable.

*not the willy waving competition people think it is. Far less macho than doing PBP or TCR which seems to be lauded on here.

osteopath

Is that what I need? I can't face reading the sciatica thread again.

I'd go and see a physio.

Is that even allowed? I have exercises I was given by a physio before. I probably just need to do them. And improve my core strength.

Why does @amey train?

#41

I got into "training" because I got "into " hill climbs. TNRC was my gateway drug. Then I got into cyclocross. Even when I wasn't bad, I knew/know I wasn't/won't trouble the top 10 that much.
And that was/is ok. I get something from competing, even playing football (another thing I'm not great at but I'm ok at). It doesn't matter if I don't win (mainly because I won't) as long as I rinse myself properly and don't hide.

I'm now training more than I've trained in the last year or more (Year 3 of second child) and it's definitely because of the situation we're in. Exercise / keeping fit at the end of the day is multifaceted:
I'm concentrating on one thing - which lets me empty my head
I'm avoiding / not involved in the bedtime routine (which has it's downsides and upsides)
I'm "making progress" - well, I think I am
Routine - is good
I can eat what I like - really this is important

I don't think cyclocross will be back this season, but I'm back to a point and I have a routine now. I'm not sure what will happen if/when the office work comes back. I run to and from work usually, and well life gets in the way in a big way when there's two kids.
That last sentence is worrying me when I re-read it. My ideal life allows me to do everything, but I'm not sure we can.

Standard. we all need to do our exercises.

My veiled point is:
osteopaths are woo
physiotherapists are not woo

I've gone in a bit of a different direction these days, training wise. I've almost totally lost any desire to ride on the roads in the UK - the increasing understanding that I was going to be killed by someone writing a text message, who would then get a £100 fine (if that) just sucked the joy out of it.

I still enjoy cycling in other countries where the drivers aren't such cunts, but then you have the maintaining fitness aspect, and if you don't ride then on the road or turbo extensively then you can't keep a decent level for when you do. This means I end up getting dropped by everyone, all the time, even when killing myself, and that part of it is just no fun - I'd far rather ride on my own, at my own pace, whilst the others shoot off into the distance as that would actually be enjoyable.

I am running though, and that's getting better - not yet at my previous best pace of 20 min 5k/45 min 10k, but I'm closing in on that and that is exciting, seeing your time getting faster week by week.

I'm also feeling a lot stronger than I used too, and aches and pains are beginning to iron out, so that's all positive.

Where the majority of my focus is these days however is on the mountain bike - and that's technique driven, which is a whole different but related world to what I've done before. I absolutely love the feeling of rolling into the forest in the morning, and then the challenge is very much across a broader spectrum than road riding ever was for me - and the more I learn about how to move my weight around the bike, how to get it into the air, how to keep it on the ground, how best to get it around a corner on highly changeable terrain - that's fascinating, and there's always more to discover.

I've got what, 10 road bikes, and I ride one of them (a Klein which sits permanently on the turbo), at some point I should probably find places that would like to display the rare ones and sell the rest.

I am running though, and that's getting better - not yet at my previous best pace of 20 min 5k/45 min 10k, but I'm closing in on that and that is exciting, seeing your time getting faster week by week.

Attainable, challenging goals are where it's at.

When I last ran a 20 minute 5k my average heart rate was 174 IIRC, this run from Tuesday felt like I was about to die when I hit 174, so there's clearly some work left to do

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Is that what I need?

I don't know. Helped me though

They'd probably end up giving you the same exercises that you're not doing ;-)

Similar reasons as many here.

Inactive obese childhood, the first taste of exercise was when I came here 12 years ago and couldnt face taking public transport, bought a bike, the buyer in me was always there. Painfully said good bye to eating a tub of ben & jerrys for dinner and playing guitar hero.

Dont want to go back to that again.

why does @leggy_blonde train?

Painfully said good bye to eating a tub of ben & jerrys for dinner and playing guitar hero.

Wait, I should stop this?

hang on, guitar hero? I think we need to talk.

it wasnt even that long ago, I lived in East Dulwich then, walked to 24x7 sainsburys for emergency ice cream, maybe same time as you did the Rapha London - Brighton TT?

I'm really fucking good at My Name is Jonas and Mississippi Queen

Being able to hit every note on One by Metallica on expert level > getting your FTP to 5 w/kg

I've got all the gear and it's not even in the loft. Why have we never rad-dad-rocked-out?! @pastrybot on drums, obvs. Putting more time into GH than pedalling is a winter ritual now.

You just tagged Xander's 10 year old troll account!