Getting Started
Do you ever struggle with ‘getting started?’
My tooth has been aching for months. I keep thinking: “I should go and have a root canal, or just have the fucking thing ripped out.”
But then I’m like: “I hate the dentist, It costs money, pandemic, It will hurt, I will have to book time off work, etc.” - I come up with a list of excuses to not get started.
These are excuses, not reasons. I know that it won’t be half as bad as I imagine, but I still keep putting it off.
I have NEVER struggled with ‘getting started’ when it comes to cycling and training (you know I live for it), until now.
“What the fuck is going on?”
24/09/2020
As I started rotating my legs on the turbo, it felt like I was trying to inflate a punctured inner tube. My leg's objected to movement, and my whole body felt destroyed.
Like all cyclists, I’m no stranger to fatigue. But this was far worse than usual - a good sign that I have been training hard.
My unyielding mind intervened. I had a job to do, so I forced my body to move and produced a PB performance on that session. Don’t you love overcoming the obstacles?
01/10/2020
This Thursday, however, the roles reversed. My mind was objecting, but my body was strong. This was a new experience for me.
I have never been able to relate when people say things like: “I just can’t be bothered to ride today.” I would think to myself, “Pah, call yourself a cyclist?” - until now.
“What the fuck is going on?”
I didn't want to train. I couldn't bare the thought of sitting on my turbo for an hour and a half of pain. I just wanted to eat myself into a food coma and go back to bed.
Why did I feel this way? Is the fatigue of living in our ‘uncertain world’ catching up with me? I don't know, but this was highly out of character.
I had to override this feeling. I had to get on my turbo and 'get it done'. I knew that after my session, my head would fill with endorphins (perhaps I'm an addict?), and I would feel much better.
The process of preparation
Usually, I can’t wait to get on my bike. Instead, I was lying on the sofa procrastinating: scrolling through emails, Instagram, Sky News, looking at classic bikes on eBay, etc. I didn’t recognise myself.
“What the fuck is going on?”
My coffee cup was empty. I had to peel myself off the sofa to go and brew another; this was the start I needed, a reason to move.
I let my routine take over. The process of preparation intervened.
I spooned 21g of coffee into my Aeropress and lit the flame under my kettle. While waiting for my water to reach 94°C, I dressed in my bib shorts, HR strap, baselayer and socks.
I still didn't want to train, but my routine was forcing me to get there one step at a time.
As I poured hot water over the beans, they erupted with a fruity, cherry, chocolaty aroma, but this still didn’t perk me up.
I sat down with my coffee, opened my laptop and loaded my session: 'FTP Sprints'. I looked at each interval with dread.
“Don’t look ahead, Gareth. Just focus on the next step.”
I filled my water bottles, prepped my bike, positioned my fan, and tensioned my shoes 'click, click, click'.
I sat on my turbo and started peddling:
“I don’t want to do this.”
“Well, Gareth, it’s too late now. You’ve started.”
Ten minutes into my warm-up, my Garmin gave me a 'performance condition' reading: +4 = Good.
My body is in prime condition, why is my mind so empty? Fucking typical.
I was going through the motions, counting away time. Blah, blah, blah.
On the third interval, It finally felt like I was putting in some effort. I had to hold 320watts for five munites before a thirty-second sprint.
I had to start focusing on those three magic metrics: power, heart rate and cadence. Suddenly, It all clicked into place.
If you haven't already gathered this about me, I am a control freak with obsessive tendencies. By taking control of the numbers, I regained control of my mind. I was 'me' again.
Then something potentially self-destructive happened. I punished myself for feeling this way. I added an extra block onto the session. I'm sure this isn't a healthy thing to do, but it felt necessary. (Add masochistic to my unhealthy personality traits.)
Getting started is the most challenging part of any journey. Once you get moving, anything is achievable.
It all started by making a coffee. I used the process of preparation and routine to initiate the 'spark'.
If you focus on each link, one connection at a time, you will complete the chain.
Here's what I do to help find motivation, or get through a tough session:
Focus on ‘the now.’
What does that mean? Let’s use interval training as an example:
If you are on your third interval, only concern yourself with performing the third interval. Don’t think ahead to your fourth or tenth interval. Otherwise, you may start thinking "I can barely hold on to this effort, how the hell am I going to do the next one?"
During recovery periods, focus on breathing and lowering your heart rate, rather than thinking about the next interval.
By breaking down the challenge, you will eat the elephant one bite at a time. (You can apply this to most situations in life.)
Look for inspiration.
From the people that you respect/admire. Draw strength from them.
Positive projection helps. When I’m hurting, I imagine that I’m leading out Mark Cavendish at the 2010 World Championships. It helps me get through the interval. No one wants to let down the Manx Missile.
I look at my friends who are out there killing-it or watch old races that my heroes won. Sometimes, I ask myself: "What would Beryl Burton, Eddy Merckx, Johan Museeuw, Sean Yates, Brian Holm or Annemiek van Vleuten do?"
I daw a lot of inspiration from the old-school-hard-nut attitude; it's something I aspire to be.
Be thankful.
My friends Karl and Benjamin have been involved in road accidents and are unable to ride. I know what cycling means to them both, to have that taken away must be hell. (Speedy recovery, both of you.)
Be appreciative and make the best of what you have.
Gareth.
