So What, Now What!? The Stuff Unfit People Say!

We've all been at the excuse pitty-party-table!  You've likely been there, or at least know someone who has.  Excuses exist for the simplicity they offer.  They instantly become the justification for not doing something you want to do or becoming the  athlete you want to become.  These excuses, if left untreated, can grow into an internal dialogue that truly limits us from doing something we once held so dear.  "I used to race a lot when I was fit, but now I just don't have time to train."  Or, "I would like to race, but I just don't have time to train."  These statements are very common, even by folks who run or ride on a very regular basis.  These folks are often riding, running, or swimming several days per week because they like it, it maintains a level of fitness they seek, and provides a sanctuary from the busyness of their lives.  However, this level of activity is often associated with long periods of time with no progress, or worse, regression.  The dialogue then shifts to "I  used to be able to run a 7:30 minute mile, but that was 5 years ago when I was 37.  Now I'm 42 so I can only hold an 8:15 mile.  

SO WHAT!  These excuses, rationale, justification or whatever you want to call them are simply a smoke and mirrors game to deflect from the problem which is quite simple.... You aren't training right!  I have talked to so many people that fit this example.  They ride their bike 3 times a week for an hour, ride with a few girlfriends on the weekend but have been going the same speed or slower for the past 5 years.  Most people that fit this example are true professionals.  They're owners of very successful companies, have thriving families, and are active in their communities.  They actively move the ball forward in every aspect of their life, except their fitness, which is the one factor that potentially has the most impact on their quality of life. 

NOW WHAT!  The majority of people want to move the ball forward but the mainstream fitness media creates a giant dust storm of fads, gimmicks, conflicting, and downright confusing information.  There are a lot of myths out there that simply aren't supported.  Myth, "I'm not a climber."  Truth, you just aren't fit.  Keep climbing your local big climb in that same easy gear, sitting in the saddle, slogging the same cadence for that hour bike ride of yours and you will never be a climber.  The answer isn't do more climbing.  The answer is use that hour of time to work different cardiovascular zones while you climb, learn to rise out of the saddle, change your cadence, and execute over the terrain more appropriately and suddenly the ball starts moving forward.  I know what you're thinking... "just do intervals".  To answer simply, yes.  However, the term interval has been lost.  Mention the word interval to a runner or cyclist and they assume bone crushing intensities generally for periods of time no one on the planet can hold.  Interval, simply refers to a period of time in which you are doing a prescribed effort.  Sometimes that effort is all you got, sometimes hard but doable, and sometimes really easy. Managing these intervals to efforts that you can sustain for given periods then becomes the primary objective, and it can all be done in one hour!  You are already out there spending the time on what you love!  Don't spend all that time out there simply to stagnate your fitness.  One of many reasons I love cycling is because it's an activity that I started seriously nearly 20 years ago and I continue to improve all these years later.  No more excuses!

-CB