The arc of awfulness

I'm happy to have finished up my first training block of the season and am now into recovery week. So far so good, except that I've gotten horribly out of bike shape during my 6 months off. Last year I was soooo uncomfortable on the bike and tried everything: 3 different seats and finally a new bike before I was comfortable. I assumed (incorrectly) that after all of that effort, this year would be easier.

Not so fast. My crotch assumed (incorrectly) that I was done with cycling so decided to resensitize all the nerve endings. My shoulders joined the club. I have been so ridiculously sore on my bike. This past Saturday I had a mere 30 mile ride and was completely DONE after mile 18. Pathetic. It was partly due to my loss of ability to ride hills -- my legs were shot -- and partly my crotch pain. I am bruised. So here was the "arc of awfulness" of my workout:

Start: WOW. It's a gorgeous 70-degree day on the peninsula. The sun is shining, the lake is glittering, and I'm SO HAPPY to be on my bike!

After trying to keep cadence up per coach's instructions: Holy crap, this sucks. My legs hurt. My girl bits hurt.

90 minutes in: The pit of despair. I can't believe I am going through this again. I'm only 3 months away from my race. I didn't give myself long enough to get back into shape. My crotch hurts. I wanna catch a ride.

100 minutes in: Maybe I should take a gel. Ahh. Ok, my crotch still hurts but I'm not as cranky about it.

110 minutes in: My crotch and sit-bones really hurt. Seriously, maybe I'm causing permanent damage. I'm going to roll on all the flats and downhills and stand on the pedals. (note: my TP data shows I rolled once for 4 minutes. I think that's a PR!)

End of the ride, putting on my running shoes for my first brick: I'm so happy to not be on my bike.

5 minutes into my short run: It's a gorgeous day! I'm running off the bike! This is fantastic... I'm so happy that I can do this. All is good with the world.

All I can say is, I'm so happy this is a rest week. Happy on behalf of my crotch and sit-bones. Fingers crossed they've gotten the memo to HTFU before next week starts.

Comments

[cheryl]

Try a Cobb v-flow saddle. I don't have one (yet) but am saving for one (they are about $140) Women triathletes at TriSports here love them. That or an ISM/Adamo (which I didn't care for). Good luck!

[jennifer]

Hi Cheryl, thanks but I actually already tried that one. I can't do the ones that are totally cut out in the middle... totally didn't work for me! I just need to HTFU :-)

[Molly]

It's tough getting your body used to all that again! I love my saddle but long rides are made much happier with really good shorts (I have to throw out the old ones and anything that chafes), really good lube, in large quantities, and...really good grooming of the nether regions.

That said, I found a huge difference occured when I got my professional bike fit because it turned out I was riding like I had a leg length discrepancy (even though I don't have one) and as a result chafing badly on one side because the motion was different.

Hope you're feeling better by now!

[Damie]

I totally get this- been struggling with it the past 6 months as well. I got a new bike fit (so awesome) and an adamo....liking the adamo okay, but going to get one with a slightly more narrow seat. I have heard the Cobb is good as well. Good luck!!!!!!!!! (And the fitness will come- EVERYONE feels this way right now. Promise).