"Instinctive or Intuitive"

I probably misuse these 2 words on a regular basis, but I suspect I'm not the only one. When I look a the definitions it seems that the best way to distinguish is the old nature and nurture thing. Instinct is something you tend to be born with as a species, where as intuition seems to be more of a learned skill.

Either way, I know that they have both steered me wrong so many times. I'm a creature of quick decisions, and while that has at times reaped great rewards, it has also often caused me pain. I suppose the difficulty lies in determining when to follow your gut, and when to take a little time to think it out. It probably makes sense that when you have the time, you would be best served by using it, rather than barrelling forward. 

And where am I going with this?

I have no idea!

Let me think about it while I tell you of today's experience.

You will recall me telling you about my new found computrainer knowledge, in which I now know how to program workouts, such that the machine itself dictates your intensity.

Because I am used to using it the old way where I had to constantly monitor my levels to see that I was maintaining, it is quite refreshing to simply put your head down and pedal. Never the less, when I start getting tired it is instinctive/intuitive to slow down. Guess what? It doesn't work! As you decrease your cadence (pedalling speed) the machine increases the resistance, and now all you're doing is pedalling slower, but with more push back. Your heart rate goes up and it feels like your going uphill. With both your body and your mind screaming that you can't keep it up, in actual fact what you need to do is speed up!! Yup! As soon as the computer recognizes the cadence increase it backs off the resistance and now you're rolling again. Of course your body still doesn't like the increased pedalling madness but in fact it is easier to maintain, and your heart rate goes back down.

It's because of this counter intuitive phenomenon that I am excited about the possibilities this time around. I have been notoriously guilty of pushing too big a gear, which although it may be okay for shorter races, is very destructive over time. I need to teach my legs to become comfortable with the higher cadence. I think this is gonna work.

And as a metaphor for real life, I can only suggest a comparison to marriage. In the complicated way of relationships we tend to move from one gut decision to the next. I can only count my blessings that my partner is so different from me. I think that has saved us many a time. When I'm tired she pedals faster and vice versa. It's only when, out of selfishness, that we lose awareness of the other persons heart rate that we get into trouble. 

Computrainer intervals, 80 minutes
"Intuition is a suspension of logic due to impatience."---Rita Mae Brown

My intuition comes up with better stuff than my head, I think."---Ben Whishaw

Love

Peter