Most of us have been there. For whatever reason we need to take time off the bike. I have had an overuse injury combined with getting used to being a new dad, so the riding has been on the back burner.
Last night I did my first real training ride in two months. My training loop is a 50k loop of mostly flat roads that I do Wednesday evenings. It seems every club is out Wednesday nights as it is mid-week between weekend races and longer rides.
As I slid out into the cold, windy Taichung night, I could feel my sustained speed was slower than I had hoped. The large muscled in my legs were hungry for oxygen that I couldn't provide. I pushed and eased back, pushed and eased back. It was rough. It was hard. It hurt like hell. It was demoralizing.... It was absolutely marvelous to be back out there.
The endurance is the first thing that fall off when you stop training. Hopefully, if I keep throwing myself out there, everything will come back on line by April.
Sometimes it seems like you'll never get back, but it happens... it just taked longer and longer to get here.
Ride well. And don't be hard on yourself. You're a father now. I know my partner in his divorce and recovery, took up cycling. He is a father of now 2 adult children from former marriage. Cycling was for both health reasons and psychic healing.
ReplyDeleteBut he did his very best to be there for his children. He only wished his children did cycle with him. But he is thrilled....to become a grandfather for...2nd time.
I hope your wife is able to find herself away for a few hrs. away from baby every week. She needs this very much. Pregnancy and labour is demanding on the body, on top of enormous adjustment as a new mother.
I say this as a someone who had a sister who suffered from post-partum depression...and sadly she never completely recovered.
We lost her last year. My heart...she leaves 2 adult children and a husband who tried and loved her.
TAke my advice..please. Be there for her.
I cycle sometimes for this also....for my sister.
Riding is very cathartic in so many ways. One thing I really love, is just getting out and letting my mind run because it gives me access to so many imagined conversations that I have never had in person.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about your sister. We also had a violent suicide in the family in April 2005 and another in October 2009. It is rough, I know. Depression and mental illness can be a terrible thing.
Fortunately, my wife is enjoying being a stay-home mom (They are out at the mall right now). We both spend a lot of time with the baby. Soon, they'll be out there rooting for me and I hope I can do the same. My wife is looking forward to her first bike ride, but she is taking it slow to come back from c-section as well as being on feeding duty.
I'd rather be with my daughter any time than on a bike. I also know that time on the bike will help me be there for my daughter longer and in a better capacity than if I did not. I always think of my grandfather who lived to be 97yo. 96.5 of those years he spent living a full, active life full of family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Hey Andrew, some great stuff on your blog. Our family comes over every year for a month or two. I have two girls, been getting into riding more and more over the last 5 years. This year I really want to get out more and have been looking to either bring my own bike or rent a bike while in Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any recommendations? Any shops do good value long-term hire? (4-6 weeks)
Last year I rode a friends mountain bike but prefer to be on the road bike.
Karl,
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you for the compliments.
Here is a post I did recently on the matter:
http://taiwanincycles.blogspot.com/2011/10/road-bike-rentals-in-taipei.html
There is always the Giant rental program, but you will need to give them some time to arrange a road bike for you.
I am aware of some other rental programs that are underway, but they are not in place yet.
Where will you be staying?
A
Hi Andrew, you're welcome.
ReplyDeleteGreat insights and great photos. Liked reading about the trip to Kenting as we went there last year. We stayed at the Yoho bike hotel and I rented a TCR which was fun.
When in Taiwan we stay in Banciao. I usually ride up a particular hill then turn round and head down to the river. Will be over for a couple of months this time so can't face the whole time on a MTB :o)