How unfit am I!!
Discussion
Be fair to yourself - you're doing the right thing with saddle-time already.
If it helps, the first few times I rode into work and back (4 and a touch miles each way) I was in absolute bits when I got to work and I had to stop THREE times on the way home. Now I do each leg in 12 minutes door to door without really killing myself. I get a sweat on, but... Then I found the 'rule' that whatever you can do in a week you can do in day, and tried a 40 miler, mainly canal towpath. The first one took an age and I ended up in a bush at the side of the Manchester Ship Canal eating blackberries because I thought I was going to die. The second jaunt I did in about 3.5 hours and now I do the same route in about 2.5 hours, again without killing myself.
I'm no Olympian, but things will improve for you, trust me
If it helps, the first few times I rode into work and back (4 and a touch miles each way) I was in absolute bits when I got to work and I had to stop THREE times on the way home. Now I do each leg in 12 minutes door to door without really killing myself. I get a sweat on, but... Then I found the 'rule' that whatever you can do in a week you can do in day, and tried a 40 miler, mainly canal towpath. The first one took an age and I ended up in a bush at the side of the Manchester Ship Canal eating blackberries because I thought I was going to die. The second jaunt I did in about 3.5 hours and now I do the same route in about 2.5 hours, again without killing myself.
I'm no Olympian, but things will improve for you, trust me
JOHNC74 said:
Just did 4 miles tonight and it has killed me...how pathetic is that! I hope this cycling lark gets easier!
No it does not you will just do 10 miles and that will kill you fora bit of encouragement 2 months ago 4 miles was hard for me now can do 10 without really thinking about it too much
doing around 15 miles at trail centers with small slopes in muddy conditions now once a week. I'm knackered at the end but in a different way. one week it will be my legs next week my chest will be hurting. by the way this is not at any kind of breakneck speed and I have to stop from time to time
Now trying to get out during the week as well to help although unless im in a forest I find it really boring
Thanks for the words of encouragement! I have just done 90 mins through Cannock Chase and for some reason it felt a lot easier today. Had to have a few stops but there is less pain the legs! I am actually looking forward to tomorrow to get back out there. I will be very interested to see how my fitness improves over the coming weeks-after spending all of 2007 stuck in the office working away from home (doing no exercise at all and eating pies!) I am not in the best of shape.
bigandclever said:
The first one took an age and I ended up in a bush at the side of the Manchester Ship Canal eating blackberries because I thought I was going to die.
That line actually made me smile, and laugh a little to myself. Can't wait to get back out on my bike now. Thanks To the OP, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I went out for a 10 mile ride the other day with a mate, and he was dead. Kept on asking to stop from around 2 miles in! I faired quite well, so was happy. But, I was (very) ill on wednesday and yesterday, but went out for a ride anyway yesterday evening. Did 4 miles and had to stop (with a 4 mile return leg)! Walked for a bit, and then just kept riding hard so I could get home and lay down!
Mr MoJo said:
I know exactly how you feel !! Bought a new bike yesterday (first bike for around 10 years) and went for a 6 mile ride in the afternoon. 
Didn't realise just how unfit I am !!
Definitely. I went for a 15 mile ride yesterday afternoon, and my back was killing when I got back. You can tell the difference, definitely! Didn't realise just how unfit I am !!Gooby said:
Pulse said:
Gooby said:
There is a good 12 week "get fit" program in last months MBR. I am enjoying it so far.
Any chance of scanning it at all Gooby? I don't fancy back ordering it.
Glad to see its not just me who is getting back into it. I really liked the look of the mtb exercise programme. Since my initial post I have been getting an hour ride in every day and took yesterday as a rest day (my legs feel a lot better today for this) I cannot believe how much better I feel in only a week of riding-I am going to try and tack on a little extra distance to my ride today.
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