We live in an age of instant gratification. We expect “everything” and expect to give up nothing in return. You’ve seen this sort of stuff everywhere:
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Lose 10# with this magic pill and no additional effort on your part!
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Get 6-pack abs in 2 minutes a day!
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Buy now and pay nothing until 2010!
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Etc, etc, etc.
That’s all BS. There is no free lunch.
Can you ride a century when your “training” consists of 1 ride per week of a few miles? Well, maybe, but you’re sure not going to have any fun. But there’s an even better chance you’ll end up in the sag wagon.
There’s a reason why top cyclists ride 25,000 miles per year. There’s a reason why world-class marathoners run 100+ mile weeks. There’s a reason why losing “only” 1 pound per week gives you your best chance for long term success.
We live in a fast-paced world, and a world which places too many demands on our time. So I understand the need for better productivity, better use of our time and faster results. However, there are certain things you can’t shortcut.
Cycling is a sport which requires time in the saddle for significant improvement to occur. Are there ways to cut out the junk time and junk miles? Sure. Are there ways to maximize time in the saddle so the rider gets the most bang for their buck? Sure.
I coach cyclists, and maximizing improvement in the minimum amount of available time is one of my most important functions. But a cyclist still has to ride. Period.
Aerobic development is a slow process, often taking years (as opposed to days or weeks) to peak. The ability to withstand pain and suffering in the saddle requires a certain level of maturity that only comes through experience and “putting up with it.”
So while it IS reasonable to expect consistent improvement with consistent effort, it is NOT reasonable to expect miracles.
There is no free lunch, so accept this fact, add your comments below, then GET OUT AND RIDE!
Ride Recap:
Yesterday’s ride was 3.5 hours, and included 2 x 20 minute threshold intervals, 8 hill climbs and 2 “race winning moves,” in addition to some endurance and tempo level riding.
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