Help me understand.

[Lars]

I workout with weights 3x week, fairly intensely. I do cardio on a treadmill at least 5x week. I vary intensity as I feel on the day, but never go less than an hour. I've recently taken up bicycling, and although I'm not totally into it yet i try to do 15 miles 2-3x week.

Here's my problem. My wife sometimes joins me on my bike rides. So far 4 times total this year. She smokes, she has hardly exercised at all (any kind of exercise) in the past year. And STILL I can't beat her on the bike trail. I'm giving it my best, pedaling for my life thinking I'm Lance Armstrong, when seemingly effortlessly and with a smile on her face she comes up besides me and zooms past. And not only that, towards the end of the ride when I'm near collapsing from fatigue, she's still fresh as a dandelion in April.

What gives? I'm almost nine years older than her. Am I less of a man for playing the age card? I'm thinking she's probably on the juice.

[h4x0l2]

there is a technique to breathing/utilizing energy while cycling. Very similar to lifting, when exerting force, you should be propelling air out. This should help in the short term, in the long term, just try different settings on the bike as well. Seat height, handlebar height etc make a big difference in how much energy is needed to keep a good pace with low effort.

[Sirius]

Could it be that you have less energy left for biking with all the other activities you do? Maybe try less treadmill for a week and invite her for a ride next weekend and see what happens? Or as Hax said try different adjustments on the bike? I don't know that age has anything to do with it, as with your schedule you should be in tip top shape.
What about the mental part of it? You said you're not totally into it yet. I think we tend to notice fatigue less when we're doing something we enjoy. Maybe she's just happy being on trail with you peddling along, so she doesn't notice any fatigue.

[Celtic Beast]

You are old. She is less old. Simple.

The thing to remember is that some day she will be as old as you are now and then she won't be so spritely....


...Mind you you might not be so....ahem... alive...then!

[CJM75]

Sounds to me like shes just alot tougher than you. Maybe she eats real food and not "a large banana and some yogurt". Eat like Pee Wee Herman, ride like Pee Wee Herman.

Or maybe its possible you have a blocked artery? My dad had one years ago and couldnt walk up the stairs without being tired. He didnt know it for months until he was tested.

If none of these things even the playing field, I recommend booby trapping her bike somehow causing her to lose control on the trail. That should scare her from riding fast, and will allow you to stay in the lead the whole time.

[Lars]

Thanks for all the helpful replies...NOT...(except for Hax). Celtic may be close to the truth, but I don't appreciate honesty on that level. What I really was looking for was some positive affirmation that she really is a cheating, juicin' bitch. I may still take CJM's advice and hook her bike up with and IED, though.