Tips For Staying On Track
Working out is a big part of my life. After nearly two years of back and forth with working out consecutively and then falling off the wagon, I discovered that I'm the kind of person who needs structure. Previously, I tried following a plan in a book for cycling, I joined 30 days of yoga, and even shared an excel sheet with a friend for accountability. Although all of those things were fun, I'd eventually stray away and find myself doing nothing and feeling bad about it. In January of this year I asked for a Garmin for my birthday and hired a coach. I was approaching another season of road that I wanted to compete in, since the year prior my training was pretty much non-existent, and I chickened out. Rewind to now, and I'm approaching a year of working out fairly consistently and although I'm supposed to train 6 days a week, I still have bad days (or even a few weeks) where I don't feel like doing it. I know that I love it and regret it when I don't work out, so here are some tips that help me stay motivated:
- Don't let your day affect your workout. I'm extremely guilty of this and if my day was upsetting, I tend to go home and do nothing. I've found that I should at least do yoga if I'm going to skip my planned workout.
- If you do skip a day, just don't turn it into a habit. It happens, but remember tomorrow is a new day to get back on track. Don't give up just because of a missed day or missed week!
- Find someone to help keep you accountable. Having a coach helps me because it didn't work when I had a friend or boyfriend as my accountability person, but this doesn't mean a friend won't work for you! Also, posting to my Instagram helps me!
- Keep trying. If one method doesn't work for you, try something else. My best friend LOVES things like 21 Day Fix - so find what works for you!
- Remember how far you've come and remember how much of a boss you are! Every little bit of effort is worth it, don't forget to be proud of what you've done!
- Set a goal. Personally, I need something to work towards with some kind of accomplishment factor involved - which is partly why I race. If you aren't into competing against other people, maybe try tracking your own PR's and attempt to meet or exceed the accomplishments from the month prior.
- Make it fun. I find myself going to as many group rides as I can during the summer because I have much more fun riding with other people. I also love photographing my rides and adding a social factor into it with apps like Strava.
Do you have any tips for staying on track? Let me know, I'd love to hear them!
Remember to Trust the Process
At one point in my life, before I was cycling competitively, I would go to yoga a few times a week - in fact, there was a point where I was going everyday. For whatever reason, I haven't been in months. I've barely been stretching and I've done at home yoga fewer times than I'd like to admit. I'm so tight, I've lost a lot of flexibility, and I can see how it has negatively affected my cycling.
So this week I took some time to myself and I got on the mat. I've remembered what I've been missing and now I have documentation of where I'm currently at. Maybe I can't stretch as far, hold poses or bend like I used to, but today is a new day to turn that around.
If you too have been neglecting a positive habit, remember that it's never too late to bring it back. Be good to your body, it's the only one you have.
Oh, and don't be afraid to fail (or in my case - fall), figuring it out is the best part of the journey. Remember to trust the process. <3
Have a good weekend!
xoxo,
Mae
What's in My Cycling Bag?
What's in my cycling bag depends on the weather, am I racing or training, am I traveling or staying local, cyclocross or road, etc. So here is my bag for a CX training ride. I can't get enough of Specialized which is why they make up 99% of my key items. I believe all of these items can be found on their site, except the pink jacket that turns into a vest (coming soon though, I believe). But let's take a moment to admire the gorgeous replica Boels/Dolmans kit. It's my favorite, and I always feel so pretty when I wear it. Their are only five items that aren't Specialized : my donut neck buff, headphones (I promise I'm being safe if I even wear them at all), Larga socks, monogrammed polka dot velcro changing towel (this never leaves my bag except to wash), and Oakley sunglasses.
Here is a closer look at some of the smaller items. Starting from the top left and going down : Baby wipes, Skratch hydration, heart rate monitor, donut buff, headache medicine, dry shampoo (to freshen up my sweaty hair after a ride), Rip Van Wafels (so yummy), deodorant, tube/air, Oakley sunglasses, Garmin 510, Clif Bar, Revision Intellishade with SPF (key item!), chapstick, Stix front/rear lights, socks, chamois cream, multi tool, tire levers, and glasses cleaner! A few needed items that aren't pictured are my bike (obviously), sports bra, tire pump, recovery drink, and my much needed first aid kit, hah! I hope I'm not forgetting anything, story of my life! :)
Read my official post on the Specialized Blog on Tuesday morning, here!
What are some of your key items that you pack for a ride? Anything that is an absolute must that most people don't use?
CycleOps Trainer to Ride Inside
Hey guys! Is it getting cold where you live yet? It's not cold in Atlanta just yet, but it's been raining nearly every day - so much, that there is a meme going around saying Atlanta has changed its name to Seattle. Help - I need sun! I'm not looking forward to winter, I never ever ever ever am. In the winter months I turn into a wuss about riding outside. I'm originally from Florida, so I run for the heated blanket when it gets cold and I would rather hibernate until it's Spring again. Sadly, life doesn't work that way and neither do my workouts. Although there are PLENTY of days that I bundle up, suck it up and ride outside, there are also nights that I come home from work late and would rather not torture myself with the cold, so I choose to ride inside. Side note : I wonder how many of you are fainting right now because you'd rather die than ride a trainer. Well, good for you guys - you're a bunch of little badasses. For the rest of you (who are also badass, but like the warmth), I'm here to tell you about my experience with a trainer. I'm the weirdo who actually loves riding the trainer. In fact, I've considered teaching spin class because I think it's so fun (maybe one day)!
SO, I've owned my own CycleOps Fluid trainer for about two years and prior to that, I would borrow my boyfriends trainer. I use it to warm up for races or get in my workouts when it's too cold for my bones, raining or I just feel like it. Recently I've upgraded to the CycleOps PowerSync and it's made a huge difference. This version plugs into the wall, reads the software on my iPad (you can also use a PC) and automatically syncs the workouts with the trainer so that it controls the resistance on my bike. In a nut shell, if the workout is simulating a climb, it will get harder for me to pedal. I've also had a go with their virtual training program that allows you to enter your specific information and get extremely detailed with your data. Because I don't understand much about data, I can't explain it all to you, but trust me - there is a lot. So if you're into geeking out over watts and TSS - I'm looking at you. The virtual training allows you to join challenges, race online, choose what routes you want to do or create your own workout. I definitely recommend it.
Usually I accompany my trainer workouts with a movie or an upbeat playlist of music. So if you've been thinking that these winter months mean you won't be riding, you should really consider a trainer. There are several different versions in different price ranges so you can start with what suites you best. If you can't go for the PowerSync, I recommend the Fluid where you'll be able to shift your bike when it's time to "climb" and adjust the difficulty yourself.
If you guys still have more questions, I'll steer you into the direction of the professionals on their site, where they explain the specifics much better than I can.
Do you already have a trainer and you're interested in trying their Virtual Training? You can sign up for two weeks free and see what you think for yourself!
Have you ever tried riding a trainer? Do you like it?
Bike: Specialized Amira
Bibs: FYXO
Socks: The Wonderful Socks
The Women's S-WORKS XC : Pre-Mud
These are my brand new, never worn, straight out of the box S-Works XC MTB shoes that I will be wearing for Cyclocross. As we all know, these are about to be covered in mud, grass, dirt and everything in between so I had to snag a photo of these beauties before I put them through hell.
Cyclocross : How I started
Cyclocross - the most suffering I’ve ever put myself though in cycling, but also the most fun. The biggest factor I notice when trying to encourage other females to race is pure self doubt which I can 100% relate to. So, story time.
My first experience with CX was strictly as a spectator where I went and watched an entire season. Through doing so, I met a few female racers who encouraged my friend and I to give it a try. With no previous desire or experience racing bikes, it sounded both exciting and insane. Finishing out the season of spectating, the idea of racing stayed in the back of my head. Would I actually do it next year? I mean, I want to, but who am I kidding - I have no clue what I’m doing, I don’t have a CX bike, my fitness is lacking and the list went on. Road season was approaching and that seemed interesting as well. I told myself that I would start by racing road. Yep, that’s what I was going to do. Spring time rolled around and I didn’t do it - I was too scared to race. There I was again - wishing I could be one of those girls. Instead, I was on the sidelines, week after week just watching. However, I was becoming an excellent spectator, if only they had podiums for that! After months of doubting myself, watching the road season come and go, and finding a thousand excuses as to why I couldn’t race, I made the move to buy a CX bike. I spent the end of the summer attending local gravel grinder rides, practicing the basics and attending a local clinic. I’d ride to a park near my house and Zach would show me what Adam Myerson taught him at his clinic. He would show me something and nail it. I would immediately be too scared to do it, the attempt would be hesitant, then I would fall and my doubts appeared again. I didn’t always understand how to do something I was shown and there is still a lot that I don’t know how to execute. (For example, how to take a corner properly - help!). When I didn’t have anyone to help me, I spent plenty of time watching YouTube videos to try and understand some of the skills. As daunting as practice was, the season quickly approached and it was time to apply what I had learned. On a brisk morning, I finally showed up to race for the very first time. (Hooray! I finally showed up!) Already a nervous wreck, I began making my way to the start line. As I lifted up the course tape to go under it, I accidentally caught it on my bike and pulled bright yellow tape several feet and didn’t even realize I was doing it! THEN, when I finally lined up, I leaned into a thorn bush and a few girls around me had to help me pluck thorns off my jersey. It was all super embarrassing and it didn’t feel like I was off to a great start! Honestly though, I was so nervous, that all of those silly mistakes kind of felt like a blur at the time.
Once the official said go, we all took off and I gave it my all. Suddenly all of those nervous fumbles went away and do you know why? Because when it’s all actually happening you don’t have time to even think about it - you just do it. Those moments during practice when you stop right before you go over the barrier and have to work yourself up to it again are gone! There is no split second for you to say, “I can’t” or wonder if you’ll fall. Everyone is right next to you, you’re all hurting, you’re all new and you’re all making mistakes. But you know what, at least you’re all out there doing it. Week after week I kept coming back. I kept making more friends and I kept getting a little bit better. I also never pulled the course tape with my bike again, but I have seen someone else do it! See! I wasn’t the only one and whatever mistake you might make - trust me someone has done it before and someone else will do it again.
With that being said, the same beginner clinic I attended before racing my first season, is the one I photographed on Monday. Everyone was welcome with any bike they could find. We had about 20 people show up of all ages and skill level. Some people were so nervous and had never tried anything CX related before. The clinic only covered the basics, so don’t feel like because you don’t have a local clinic that you can’t attempt CX. I’ve attached a few links below that have helped me.
Trish covered the following things:
Rules of Racing
General Attire
Mounting and Dismounting
Shouldering the Bike
If you want to learn about these skills and more, I would suggest the following link:
Global Cycling Network Youtube CX Videos
I really hope that if you’re interested in racing, but you’re full of self doubt, that you finally build up the courage to just go out there and do it.
Read the original posting on the Specialized Find Your Fast blog, here.
Wear what you love.
I don’t know about you, but looking good and wearing comfortable apparel/gear while completely suffering on the bike just really does it for me. Up until recently, I preferred an all black design and in the past have found myself ordering XXXS men’s apparel just to avoid butterflies and flowers (I don’t recommend that whatsoever). I personally felt as if the majority of women’s apparel was designed for my “4th grade Lisa Frank loving” self. Then, Specialized released their Replica Team Boels/Dolmans kit and, well, look at it - it’s beautiful.
Ride safe this weekend. I hope you slip into whatever makes you feel amazing, fast and like a total badass.
Read the original post on Find Your Fast.
How does your work and bike life fit together?
How does your work and bike life fit together?
Do you commute, ride before work, lunch time or after work? Tell us, we’d love to hear how you get your ride in!
I usually ride after work, but love a good sunrise when I can catch it.
Read the original post on Find Your Fast.