Why couldn't I be bothered this morning?

[jamin100]

The alarm went off at 6am and I was setting off on the bike by 6:40am.
But I got about 2 miles into my 10 mile commute and I just couldn't be bothered!

Why? . . . I dont really know. Im not tired, I did 3 commutes on the bike last week. I was wearing some new cycling attire that I brought the weekend so I should be pumped and ready to go.

However, I just felt as if i wasnt making any decent speed and was just rolling most of my way to work. My legs felt heavy and I felt really slow.

Suprisingly, I managed to do the 10 miles in 45 minutes without trying. My best time was last week and that was 42 minutes so I was only 3 minutes slower. Plus my chain fell off so I had to re attach that too....

Not looking forward to the journey home either

 

[fossyant]

Monday morning'itus !

 

[jamin100]

possibly

 

[BSRU]

I did not feel great this morning cycling with a blocked nose, with the remnants of a cold/flu still hanging around.
No chance of not cycling though, driving to work is so boring.
I managed to cycle at a reasonable pace and even managed a little enjoyable SCR up a little drag cruising past another SPD shod cyclist then sprinting away once I had overtaken them. Small things please small minds
Plus did not want to slip down the MyCyclingLog table again , missed four days last week due to illness.

 

[potsy]

Oh dear, new bike and you still feel like that?
I am finding having a mileage goal really helps, maybe a bit of friendly rivalry between others who have similar goals too.
Sure you'll be fine by home time.

 

[ianrauk]

I don't ever get 'I can't be bothered this morning' type feeling. Love getting on the bike too much for that to happen. Even in the crappiest of weathers. However I do get I can't be arsed to do my normal route so do different instead. ie This morning I didn't fancy the balls out speed of my main A road route so decided to take the slow route through some parks. Makes a nice change and mixes things up a bit.

 

[Andrew_P]

Dunno what it is the hardest commute Monday morning or Friday afternoon, legs always feel abit heavier on these two. My fastest ones normally on a Tuesday.

If I take the whole weekend off then Monday morning is normally tough going, not always slow just a bit tough, but like Ian I rarely dread it. When I have missed a day for no work reason, I hate it and really regret it I miss the endorphins and I remember this feeling to make sure I ride in on the morning when I might not feel like it.

 

[DCLane]

Maybe the initial 'fun' of commuting by bike has worn off? Some days it just happens; as Ian says, try a different route? For me it's different routes, bikes to use or simply the knowledge that I'm faster in getting there than a car and saving £10 a day in the process.

 

[potsy]

That's a good point about mixing your route up, I started to do this more towards the end of last year, now do a mix of road and trail, certainly helps.
Even small variations can keep you interested, plus finding alternative ways round tricky junctions make it more enjoyable and stress free.

 

[jamin100]

thanks all. To be honest I think its just one of those days. Think ive got a sore throat coming so its probably to do with that.
I do have a little challenge going with a friend on endomondo (which im loosing ) so have that to spur me on a bit.

Im sure that I'll be fine for the commute home. I was thinking of trying a different route home anyway to bypass a stretch of road I HATE so i'll see how that goes

 

[jonny jeez]

However, I just felt as if i wasnt making any decent speed and was just rolling most of my way to work. My legs felt heavy and I felt really slow.

I get days like this (unlike Ian)

Oddly (and this may be part of Ian's motivational set up too) the more I ride, the more I look forward to it and the easier it becomes... and that "Do I?/Dont I?" thought seems to enter my mind far less.

The only issue I then find is the pure monotony of the ride, so I would take Ians advice and try to find a way to change the journey a little.

New gear and bling always helps me too (unfortunately it didn't work for you today).

A ride buddy is a massive help...can you find one (even if its for part of the ride), having someone "expecting" you really helps to get out from under the duvet (and provide some drafting along the way)

Failing all that...take a break...dont ride for a week, you'll look forward to the return and will have masses of strength

 

[400bhp]

So what if you couldn't be bothered.

Just potter along. Cycling to work doesn't have to be eyeballs out giving it the beans every day.

 

[Herzog]

thanks all. To be honest I think its just one of those days.

It happens: one cannot appreciate peaks without knowing troughs.

 

[lejogger]

I completely sympathise Jamin... I could have easily sacked off the bike today. I think it's only natural for most people to feel a little unenthusiastic about a commute from time to time, especially when the legs aren't turning as well as normal.

I have a hell of a Monday as after a big club run on the Sunday, I'll cycle to work, then race home to get some tea before cycling to footy, playing footy and then cycling home. It's all a rush and it's often the last thing I feel like doing when the legs are stiff. I just do what DClane does and think of the petrol I'm not wasting, and the fitness I'm building.

The thing that always clinches it for me is no matter how much I don't feel like cycling, usually, by the time I'm a couple of miles down the road, I'm into the routine and it's forgotten. If I drive in when I've had the chance to ride and not done so though, it niggles with me all day.

 

[jamin100]

I completely sympathise Jamin... I could have easily sacked off the bike today. I think it's only natural for most people to feel a little unenthusiastic about a commute from time to time, especially when the legs aren't turning as well as normal.

I have a hell of a Monday as after a big club run on the Sunday, I'll cycle to work, then race home to get some tea before cycling to footy, playing footy and then cycling home. It's all a rush and it's often the last thing I feel like doing when the legs are stiff. I just do what DClane does and think of the petrol I'm not wasting, and the fitness I'm building.

The thing that always clinches it for me is no matter how much I don't feel like cycling, usually, by the time I'm a couple of miles down the road, I'm into the routine and it's forgotten. If I drive in when I've had the chance to ride and not done so though, it niggles with me all day.

Yeh I see what your saying. However for me today it was the opposite. I was all geared up and ready to go no problem but it wasnt until I was probably 2 miles into the commute that I got that "couldn't be bothered" feeling. Obviously by then It was too late so I just plodded on and got to work.

I defiantly think im coming down with something though as I really ache today for some reason, a lot more than I usually do. Didnt have a hectic weekend either..