I'm a little slow

Espressocycle

I can't seem to increase my average biking speed above 12 mph or my average treadmill speed past 3.5 mph. When mountain biking, I often have to rest between sprints up steep hills when I just feel like I should be able to solidier through. I just can't seem to summon the energy. I've tried humming Eye of the Tiger in my head and everything. I can't tell if it's my body saying no or my mind refusing to accept the pain.

Any ideas?

BeeElMarvin

Have you tried using music, like an mp3 player with something really wicked playing while on the treadmill - it works for me.

solpwr

I would describe that to your MD. My dad described it that way, turned out he had medical issues. He was about my age at that time.

It takes time to build up your fitness level. Months, years.

Espressocycle

Yeah, part of my problem is I do the exact same bike ride every single weekday. Because it is my commute.

IndianCat3

music will help..

the treadmill can get boring at times..especially if you are doin it for a full hour (my very own punishment to myself at times) i try to run 5 mins, then walk for 1min verses runnin the full hour..it would jus kill me and i have a lot of cardio in me...when on the treadmill, try running for 2min at 3.5...walk 1min at 2.0...then next 2min - run 3.6, walk 1min at 2.1...u get what im gettin at?

solpwr

Yeah you're to young to have what my dad did.

How far is your commute? What about adding on going home. I would suggest on the way home, once per week, route yourself so you get an hour in at least. Don't worry about the speed just the time. Another day, once per week, go for time. Start logging you times. Virtually race yourself.

I pushed myself that way. I wouldn't say I'm competitive by nature, but others might say that. I logged all my commutes of the summer, 23 of them. My fastest is always the commute in, and I was always chasing a new personal best. To actually get back to the times I set in 2003, I had to just once per week go for it. I broke 60 minutes in 2011; in 2003 I broke 57 minutes. Maybe next year I'll break 57 again.

IndianCat3

Yeah you're to young to have what my dad did.

How far is your commute? What about adding on going home. I would suggest on the way home, once per week, route yourself so you get an hour in at least. Don't worry about the speed just the time. Another day, once per week, go for time. Start logging you times. Virtually race yourself.

I pushed myself that way. I wouldn't say I'm competitive by nature, but others might say that. I logged all my commutes of the summer, 23 of them. My fastest is always the commute in, and I was always chasing a new personal best. To actually get back to the times I set in 2003, I had to just once per week go for it. I broke 60 minutes in 2011; in 2003 I broke 57 minutes. Maybe next year I'll break 57 again.

impressive

Espressocycle

My commute is only 7 miles round trip - not much of a ride. Maybe I'm just lazy.

solpwr

Your commute isn't giving you the workout you need to increase your fitness level. You need more, I'm assuming you have other cardio that you're getting. If not, do what I've suggested. Race yourself once per week. Do the numbers on a round trip basis, since its so short.

My commute is 19.3 miles each way, so I can't do it every day, even in the summer when there is adequate light and temperature. Plus it's rural, I go through one traffic signal and 3 stop signs for the entire distance, so it helps with my speed. But for 3.5 miles you should be able to just pin it the whole way, excepting for traffic. Go for it man!

_Tristan_

Sprints workouts for speed are very beneficial. Sprints would be riding/running hard for as long as you can then taking a break and alternating between the two for the duration of your workout. This will make you faster.
Long workouts are also very beneficial. This is riding/running as long as you can but be careful because you don’t want to run out of energy 4 miles from home and have to call your girlfriend at work to come and pick you up because you can’t even walk home because you’re too tired. True story.
My 2 cents