Fellow Athletes

You love exercise. I do too.

And you know you need to work on something that will make you better at your sport....but, you don't really want to.

For triathletes, I hear this is the swimming portion they avoid in their training.

What is your dreaded exercise, and what do you do to get them done?
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Replies

  • synchkat
    synchkat Posts: 37,368 Member
    For my sport what most people what most people hate working on, the basics, I love. I could say I hate stroking cause it's cardio and hurts
  • WonderWomanOCR
    WonderWomanOCR Posts: 5 Member
    Running, specifically the long runs (I'll bike, row, swim, etc. with no issue). I'll do hills, speedwork, and weights/sledwork until the cows come home; but the LSD is my most dreaded workout.
  • Gimsteinn
    Gimsteinn Posts: 7,678 Member
    The runs.. It's the bloody runs that gets us everytime. I can row, swim, lift, jump and all but the running, that's what kills me
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    The only dreaded thing about my workouts (I lift and run) are doing my runs in the cold and with wind. The longer runs in these conditions can be a bit brutal as in yesterday a 10 mile run for me was a bit of a struggle.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    The only dreaded thing about my workouts (I lift and run) are doing my runs in the cold and with wind. The longer runs in these conditions can be a bit brutal as in yesterday a 10 mile run for me was a bit of a struggle.

    You could move.

    Somewhere with palm trees or cactus.

    Warm is good.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    The only dreaded thing about my workouts (I lift and run) are doing my runs in the cold and with wind. The longer runs in these conditions can be a bit brutal as in yesterday a 10 mile run for me was a bit of a struggle.

    You could move.

    Somewhere with palm trees or cactus.

    Warm is good.

    Costa Rica.. one way trip is in my future one day when I am completely alone and have zero responsibilities.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    The only dreaded thing about my workouts (I lift and run) are doing my runs in the cold and with wind. The longer runs in these conditions can be a bit brutal as in yesterday a 10 mile run for me was a bit of a struggle.

    You could move.

    Somewhere with palm trees or cactus.

    Warm is good.

    Costa Rica.. one way trip is in my future one day when I am completely alone and have zero responsibilities.

    I have one item on my bucket list, it is: Hawaii
  • This content has been removed.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Stud athlete here, reporting in

    Hey.... sorry to bug but I think maybe your auto correct misspelled: Dud


    j/k
  • synchkat
    synchkat Posts: 37,368 Member
    Stud athlete here, reporting in

    Stud? Like a stallion who is too old to race? as in retired to?
  • thisonetimeatthegym
    thisonetimeatthegym Posts: 1,977 Member
    So I hear a lot bragging about your sport/selves, and whining about the dreaded exercises, but no one said how they get these dreaded exercises done, or make them more enjoyable.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    yeah, i hate the run - swim/bike i'll do all day - but run, avoid at all costs...that being said, when I did my Ironman is October, I had the largest gain in improvement on the run (6:14 marathon to a 5:54)...so when i'm actually dedicated to it...haha!
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    So I hear a lot bragging about your sport/selves, and whining about the dreaded exercises, but no one said how they get these dreaded exercises done, or make them more enjoyable.

    to quote my coach...suck it up buttercup - haha! I don't think there is a way to make them more enjoyable but to just do them
  • Grey_1
    Grey_1 Posts: 1,139 Member
    So I hear a lot bragging about your sport/selves, and whining about the dreaded exercises, but no one said how they get these dreaded exercises done, or make them more enjoyable.

    ??? Do them. I LOVE to hate chinups, I rant, rave, and in general carry on like a fudge addicted 5 year old whose momma said no - but it just feels so awesome to bust out just...one....more lol.

    I'm not an athlete in any competition, but there are scores of athletic folks on the boards here, so what I do is change up my routine frequently + add in things that probably aren't quantified in the mfp library, like chase the dogs for an hour playing, hit the 2 sets of stairs in the house for speedruns, hang a rope from the basement ceiling, lay down and use that to emulate a different style of pull up....
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited November 2016
    So I hear a lot bragging about your sport/selves, and whining about the dreaded exercises, but no one said how they get these dreaded exercises done, or make them more enjoyable.

    whining? bragging?

    I never brag.. I am too old for that..

    As far as getting it done, I just do it! :)
  • Grey_1
    Grey_1 Posts: 1,139 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    So I hear a lot bragging about your sport/selves, and whining about the dreaded exercises, but no one said how they get these dreaded exercises done, or make them more enjoyable.

    whining? bragging?

    I never brag.. I am too old for that..

    As far as getting it done, I just do it! :)
    pffffft


    <3
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Grey_1 wrote: »
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    So I hear a lot bragging about your sport/selves, and whining about the dreaded exercises, but no one said how they get these dreaded exercises done, or make them more enjoyable.

    whining? bragging?

    I never brag.. I am too old for that..

    As far as getting it done, I just do it! :)
    pffffft


    <3

    I am only as old as I feel... how about that? lol :)<3

    ps I really don't feel my age at all..
  • Grey_1
    Grey_1 Posts: 1,139 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    Grey_1 wrote: »
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    So I hear a lot bragging about your sport/selves, and whining about the dreaded exercises, but no one said how they get these dreaded exercises done, or make them more enjoyable.

    whining? bragging?

    I never brag.. I am too old for that..

    As far as getting it done, I just do it! :)
    pffffft


    <3

    I am only as old as I feel... how about that? lol :)<3

    ps I really don't feel my age at all..

    Nor do I :)
  • PowerMan40
    PowerMan40 Posts: 766 Member
    Mine is dead lifts, not cause I don't like them, but the volume of work, and its heavy *kitten* *kitten*, takes every bit of energy to make it though a full work out. I make sure I get all my meals in for the day before I work out. Change your mind set, make it life or death situation. Its a job, just go get it done.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I don't know if I'm an athlete or not. I don't think of myself as one. To be honest I'm not even sure if cycling is a sport, I don't race these days so it isn't a competition.
    What is your dreaded exercise, and what do you do to get them done?

    Lifting. I have a recurring appointment in my calendar so that my watch will buzz at me when it's time. And I obey. I have some mediocre equipment and I lift at home, which for me is better than going to a gym and dealing with parking and all that. When it's nice I lift outside in the garden. Also, if it's nice, I go for a bike ride after lifting as a reward.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Everything for tennis is about footwork and agility, so constant, constant, CONSTANT ladder drills, shuttle runs, and such. It's not that I hate it, per se. It is that I hate having to do so much of it! But even on court we do minute HIT type drills like this:



  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    One more here. This is an up-and-babck drill for moving from the baseline to short balls to the put away.




    Thing is, these one-minute drills are done AFTER already hitting and working out for an hour or more. Again...lots of constant footwork and keeping the HR towards anaerobic.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    edited November 2016
    Well, one more. I lied. lol.

    This is a one-minute backstep drill.




    Really I just keep pushing to get through it all. Of the above three different drills I usually do a couple sets of each. Then it is 15 minutes of cool-down footwork.


    I have had a few times I basically collapse on the court.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    These days I'm much more of a recreational athlete...I like participating in cycling races and various other events, but I do it primarily for the fun of it...I'm not looking to podium or anything.

    Mostly I hate hills and climbing...I don't mind a little climb here and there, but when It's an hour plus climb I'm pretty miserable. Honestly, the only time I do it is when my trainer/coach/friend gets me out there with a group...otherwise, I just like to ride.

    I did some time trial racing this past summer...training for that wasn't particularly pleasant, but the races were fun. I'll probably do it again next year.
  • thisonetimeatthegym
    thisonetimeatthegym Posts: 1,977 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    These days I'm much more of a recreational athlete...I like participating in cycling races and various other events, but I do it primarily for the fun of it...I'm not looking to podium or anything.

    Mostly I hate hills and climbing...I don't mind a little climb here and there, but when It's an hour plus climb I'm pretty miserable. Honestly, the only time I do it is when my trainer/coach/friend gets me out there with a group...otherwise, I just like to ride.

    I did some time trial racing this past summer...training for that wasn't particularly pleasant, but the races were fun. I'll probably do it again next year.

    You are the only one that has begun to answer the question.

    You essentially said, peer pressure.

    That's how you are able to get in your dreaded exercise.

    I want people to dig a little deeper and realize there ARE strategies they utilize, even though their concious brain only registers, I just do it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited November 2016
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    These days I'm much more of a recreational athlete...I like participating in cycling races and various other events, but I do it primarily for the fun of it...I'm not looking to podium or anything.

    Mostly I hate hills and climbing...I don't mind a little climb here and there, but when It's an hour plus climb I'm pretty miserable. Honestly, the only time I do it is when my trainer/coach/friend gets me out there with a group...otherwise, I just like to ride.

    I did some time trial racing this past summer...training for that wasn't particularly pleasant, but the races were fun. I'll probably do it again next year.

    You are the only one that has begun to answer the question.

    You essentially said, peer pressure.

    That's how you are able to get in your dreaded exercise.

    I want people to dig a little deeper and realize there ARE strategies they utilize, even though their concious brain only registers, I just do it.

    It's definitely peer pressure...my trainer and his wife are more than just my wife and I's trainers...they are really close friends of ours and our families hang out all of the time socially...I think "friend" peer pressure is stronger than when they were just trainers and we'd be like, "we're paying you and ultimately will do what we want."...Now we're tight and there's a lot more pressure...albeit, friendly pressure.

    I'd never climb Tramway Blvd here in town or the backside of the Sandia Mountains if they weren't turning on the pressure...on my own I'd much rather do a long endurance ride or a tempo ride than climb...
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    These days I'm much more of a recreational athlete...I like participating in cycling races and various other events, but I do it primarily for the fun of it...I'm not looking to podium or anything.

    Mostly I hate hills and climbing...I don't mind a little climb here and there, but when It's an hour plus climb I'm pretty miserable. Honestly, the only time I do it is when my trainer/coach/friend gets me out there with a group...otherwise, I just like to ride.

    I did some time trial racing this past summer...training for that wasn't particularly pleasant, but the races were fun. I'll probably do it again next year.

    You are the only one that has begun to answer the question.

    You essentially said, peer pressure.

    That's how you are able to get in your dreaded exercise.

    I want people to dig a little deeper and realize there ARE strategies they utilize, even though their concious brain only registers, I just do it.

    I just don't think about it that much.. The overall GOAL is the driving force. If its a race, I know my training plan and follow that. And really there is not much extra effort that has to be done. Perhaps its weather that's a problem,, perhaps I am having an off day.. But the job does just get done.

    If its lifting, again I follow the program there as well.

    After seeing more on this I am simply not an athlete or athlete material at all. Oh well.. I learned something about myself from this if anything..
  • thisonetimeatthegym
    thisonetimeatthegym Posts: 1,977 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    These days I'm much more of a recreational athlete...I like participating in cycling races and various other events, but I do it primarily for the fun of it...I'm not looking to podium or anything.

    Mostly I hate hills and climbing...I don't mind a little climb here and there, but when It's an hour plus climb I'm pretty miserable. Honestly, the only time I do it is when my trainer/coach/friend gets me out there with a group...otherwise, I just like to ride.

    I did some time trial racing this past summer...training for that wasn't particularly pleasant, but the races were fun. I'll probably do it again next year.

    You are the only one that has begun to answer the question.

    You essentially said, peer pressure.

    That's how you are able to get in your dreaded exercise.

    I want people to dig a little deeper and realize there ARE strategies they utilize, even though their concious brain only registers, I just do it.

    I just don't think about it that much.. The overall GOAL is the driving force. If its a race, I know my training plan and follow that. And really there is not much extra effort that has to be done. Perhaps its weather that's a problem,, perhaps I am having an off day.. But the job does just get done.

    If its lifting, again I follow the program there as well.

    After seeing more on this I am simply not an athlete or athlete material at all. Oh well.. I learned something about myself from this if anything..

    I don't know why you wouldn't consider yourself an athlete. Running 10 miles in the rain and cold sounds like the movie Rocky.

    My guess is that you've been doing it so long you have forgotten the strategies you utilized in the first place to establish your habits and now it seems to do itself, i.e., just do it.

  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    I want people to dig a little deeper and realize there ARE strategies they utilize, even though their concious brain only registers, I just do it.

    Seriously, it isn't that complex for me. I have a very deep, innate need to compete so I drive myself to put in the hard yards. At almost 50 I don't have delusions I am going on the pro tour, but I compete well in National competitions and have a goal to compete in international competitions within the next few years. I still play in the 18 and over bracket, so beating the young punks also adds a little fuel to the fire. lol.

  • thisonetimeatthegym
    thisonetimeatthegym Posts: 1,977 Member
    Timshel_ wrote: »
    I want people to dig a little deeper and realize there ARE strategies they utilize, even though their concious brain only registers, I just do it.

    Seriously, it isn't that complex for me. I have a very deep, innate need to compete so I drive myself to put in the hard yards. At almost 50 I don't have delusions I am going on the pro tour, but I compete well in National competitions and have a goal to compete in international competitions within the next few years. I still play in the 18 and over bracket, so beating the young punks also adds a little fuel to the fire. lol.

    Your strategy is competition as fuel.