This is not a cry for help

It doesn't have to be, at least, because I'm feeling somewhat better.  After road season I took a break from training.  It was awesome.  At first I thought 2 weeks would be enough, then it became 3, then 4.  It was no longer awesome; I thought I was done with bike racing, or bike racing was done with me, forever.  Anyway, I finally made a feeble attempt at some cross training and assessed just how much fitness I've lost.  The gym is all filled with mirrors and at one point I saw a reflection and was like, "yikes, that poor lady looks like she's never lifted a weight in her li------Oh,  that's me."  Strangely though, after a few days back, I felt so much better that I had to figure out what was going on:

Off-season cupcake abuse taking its toll...

This study found that people with substance abuse problems could increase serotonin not only through exercise, but through the suggestion of positive ideas.  Sweet, does that mean that not only is lifting weights helpful in warding off the crazy, but my superconfident gym mixtape is somehow uplifting?  Maybe so; Charlie once said I had a gangster walk after returning from the gym (and although it's just as likely that I was limping from overdoing it, I attribute that swagger to a positive self-image).  Training expert Joe Friel has recently discussed the importance of confidence for athletes (if you're in a hurry just skip to his last paragraph). 

But I have no idea whether a few days back into (some semblance of) training can really make a difference, so I consulted trusted spiritual guide and former spin teacher Kevin Greene.  Wait, what?  Oh yeah, Kevin is also a licensed psychotherapist, and he's offered some pretty crucial life advice over the past couple years, like, "hey you, get a bike."

KW: Do you recommend exercise to your clients who are dealing with negative feelings?

KG: For 26 years I have advocated exercise for clients.  This includes my early days working in an inpatient substance abuse clinic when I would recommend exercise and be looked at (by staff and colleagues) like I had 3 heads.  (Please note that in 2011 every substance abuse clinic of note has a physical exercise component.)  Self-image and self-esteem are in some respects misnomers because so much of what we believe about ourselves is formed by others...(for a woman I suspect this is doubly the case).  In exercise we finally are able to turn the corner on that problem, by creating a platform of control.  In addition to this the joining with others (always a component to a healthy self) can be enhanced by group exercise.

KW: So I’ve been lazy lately, as my off-season cross training plans for running and weight lifting were compromised by injury.  And instead of finding a different cross-training method, I just sat on my ass for a month.  Is there some psychological value to this downtime, even though in the end it made me feel like crap (please say yes)?

KG: As Aristotle said, the struggle for the "golden mean" or golden middle is essential.  Excercise like fire can be wonderful and warming but out of its proper enclosure can be devastating.  Not pushing to excess is vital in the pursuit of changing exercise into "lifesport."  I have seen many come and go in our sport, and most that go are not forced out by injury but leave because their lives have become unbalanced.  That which does not please will not be done long, and if done with no pleasure, what's the point?  So there is a huge advantage to time off..and a huge advantage to time on- especially if that "time on" is self-affirming.