I am not competitive.
I like to do well for me but I never really knew what my potential was or in fact is. I had a go at a small triathlon in July and did ok; it was for charity and I did it for fun; I could’ve come last and I wouldn’t have minded so long as I wasn’t severely incapacitated at the end….which I wasn’t – the day after though was another matter!
Anyway, there was a defining moment when I thought “I know what I’ll do, I’ll get fit”. It happened one afternoon in the car park at Stainburn Forest – I guess that’s the impact that place has!
I have been cycling properly for about 11 years; by properly I mean without reflectors, baskets and spokey dokeys and, if I do say so myself, I don’t do bad but I knew I wasn’t at my best.
So, I had a chat with Craig (husband aka Knacker), he said Joe at Pro Ride Guides is the man to talk to…..so I did.
After a little conversation with Joe and not much prodding from Craig I signed up to a 6 week Flat Out Fit (FOF) personal mountain bike training programme.
The aim of the FOF plan is to help you reach your personal goals such as improve race results, get stronger or improve endurance. I think it is safe to say that racing is not my perogative but as I said to Joe, keeping up with the big boys is. I want to be the best I can be.
And here I am, in the midst of a Flat Out Fit training programme designed especially for me taking in to account all my aches and pains (there are many) my strengths (there are few but I’m working on it – I won the record for fastest returned FOF questionnaire) and what I enjoy doing and that is riding my bike. Could it get any better? Ride your bike as the plan says, do the conditioning exercise sessions, be consistent, and maintain the quality and you will be rewarded. Wicked.
To say I anticipated the plan arriving would be an understatement – I was both nervous and excited.
I had filled out my simple questionnaire as honestly as I could ( “how would you rate your level of motivation?” “I’ll do anything for a cookie” )
The plan came. I studied it. I asked Craig “what are Pyramid Pain Intervals?” He didn’t say much other than, “You’ll be fine, go for it!”
So after 3 weeks of following my plan, I can safely say that I am addicted. It’s perfect, it fits the time I have available to train, I understand it all and if I get stuck on an exercise there are some videos 
online that FOF participants can access to clarify anything. I also know that I can get in touch with Joe when I need to if I’m struggling. I feel pretty darn good about myself to be honest – smug even.
I have never done anything like this before; yeah, I’ve tried a gym, run on occasion but never ever stuck at it. That’s the beauty of a FOF plan, no gym needed, no need to be stuck inside surrounded by nattering women and sweaty posing men (unless you like that) all I need is my bike, a set of resistance bands, heart rate monitor and a exercise mat (I like to be comfy) and I’m away.
So these first 3 weeks have gone really well. I struggled initially with monitoring my heart rate not having done that before but I soon got the hang of it all the while being encouraged along by my dutiful assistants Craig, Steve and Dave. It’s made the usual night rides slightly different but no less enjoyable
I’ve got used to the resistance bands too – I had a giggle about what I must look like using them (I recommend closing the curtains if doing FOF in the front room), I couldn’t help myself but then I got serious. I used the video links to guide me so I knew I would do the exercise correctly and not hurt myself and off I went.
Now, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard, it is, but that’s the point; to be challenged, to push myself and I intend on doing that. Watch this space, with 3 weeks left to go and targets to meet, I’m going all out to succeed.
Libby Smith
Treasurer and Membership Fairy for SingletrAction