I can see the pressure building as I read the cyclist's forum postings. A lot of concerns with training- how much? how long? what type? and questions about equipment- what seat? what bike? clips or no clips? So some of the experienced cyclists(re:serious athletes) tried to help by posting their training plans. I'm sure that helped a lot of people but it also seemed to freak out a lot of cyclists( Are we doing the same trip?)
The truth is- NO none of us are doing the same trip. If we were the Sea To Sea registration form would have required a certain height and weight, age, experience, body type and dimensions. They would have order one bike for all riders with matching uniforms, seats, clip shoes and helmets. Like our lives, our journeys to God and our walks of faith, each of us will experience a different Sea To Sea. I think that is part of the whole wondrous thing. Yes, we need to prepare. But each of us need to do that suited to our bodies, our lives and our abilities.
When I first signed on to Sea To Sea, I could have never imagined the journey that has happened already. That I would have surgery, that I would have to recover from being hit by a car, that my body would be easier to prepare than my head. I had thought that this would be a time to focus on fund-raising...Instead I need to do both fund-raising AND build up my cycling. When I bought the Black Pearl, I never imagined that instead of being stored away, it would be set up on a trainer in my living room.
It's been harder than I thought to train on my own bike. Although I like the feel of it compared to the ancient contraption at the physio gym, it is also a reminded of how much has been lost and must be regained. At the physio gym, It's just cycling, good to be back. On my bike...well last time I rode it, I could easily do 60kms at 20km/hr and still put in a full day's work and social activities. Now an hour is an effort...an exhausting one. And I have a monitor reminding me that I was only at 50-75% of my former pace.
It's easy to be discouraged, depressed and overwhelmed. But I am still convinced that I am to do Sea To Sea and so I must find the will and strength to trudge on each day. I am sure that this will happen on the tour. After the first few days of excitement, the reality of the tour will kick in and the overwhelming task will hit home. We will have to want to get up each day and do another 100-140kms even when we don't feel like it.
Maybe this is the best training I could be doing. 169 days to go.
2 comments:
I liked what you were saying about us all being on different tours, I agree. I'm an athlete and when I looked at some of the training schedules I got freaked out. I'm looking forward to the time spent camping as much as riding.
It was good to have you mention how we each have our own limitations and abilities...I know it has been hard for me not to compare myself to what some other cyclists are and plan to be doing, maybe because I feel the pressure to compete, when the truth is God does have each of us on a different journey and it seems like he brings that point home everytime afresh in new ways.
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