by maxim809 on Wed Apr 28, 2021 11:21 pm
Yes, indeed. To both points regarding find what you seek (confirmation bias) & polarizing evidence supporting opposite sides (complex problems will always have a paradox).
My original point that I may not have made clear, is that I realize I am willing to dive into deep rabbit holes for topics I am interested in (cycling). However, I won't for topics I'm not interested in (running).
And in the end, it is clear that the simple answers are best.
So for running, I keep it simple. I don't overthink it, and I just do what is comfortable. But I also don't apply myself in that sport. My motivation is limited by my lack of curiosity in the sport, even though I might have the athletic ability to actually be much better at it if I tried.
On the other hand, I have found that wading through the complexities will eventually allow one to resurface with the simple answers. Of course, one can skip the complexities and simply "trust" the simple answers at face value and carry on with their lives. This may not be acceptable for those who are inquisitive or need deep meaning and reasoning for "why" they do the things they do. I think a lot of us are crazy about cycling, so we fall into the camp of needing deep reasoning. Even if a lot of this reasoning cannot be proved out beyond doubt as there will always exist contradictory evidence (your 2nd point).
As comical as it is, one advantage of going deep is it gives one justification behind their actions -- even if that justification is simply an illusion. There is perhaps more joy and way less stress by going with the "stick with the simple answer" approach. But there wouldn't be much to stand on if pressed on why you do the things the way you do.
Is any of this making sense?
I guess bringing it back to practical terms, my "simple" takeaways from reading this entire thread are:
1. Easy rides still give aerobic gains
2. Easy rides allow you to recover faster
3. Faster recovery means more opportunity for volume
4. Consistency is key
Maybe a runner-up number 5 is "Prick your ear, yo"
Of course there are plenty more simple takeaways to cycling, but the biggest theme from this thread is really, "Have you considered you might be Sweet Spot'ing too hard, bro?"
Last edited by
maxim809 on Thu Apr 29, 2021 5:20 am, edited 4 times in total.