I am quite impressed by the accuracy with which the experts are able to predict the weather these days. It seems the science has come a long way. That's why I was not surprised to wake up to a cold, windy, cloudy morning.
While it's great to have advance warning of tough conditions it can also play on your mind a little. When you know you have to get up in the morning and that you're gonna be out there for 5-6 hours it can be a bit daunting. I was even starting to think about delaying til Sunday but things didn't look much more attractive then
So I was up and out by 9 am with long sleeves and gloves. While it was indeed a bit chilly (10C), after I got my muscles warmed up I was okay. I was awful glad for the gloves however.
On account of the very strong winds (30 kms/hr) I decided that I was just gonna stay close to home doing whatever loops that came to mind. I did however start out on my favorite route which after the first 12 kms turns southwest and today was headed directly into the wind.
And that's when the head games began.
Maybe I would do the first 30 k into the wind and then head back and do loops.
Maybe I would turn at Shedden and head back home.
Maybe I would only need to do 120 kms today since it was such a brutal wind.
Maybe I would make a new decision with every 10 kms I got under my belt.
At some point I realized that any of these rationalizations could leave me with a shortened workout, which was not gonna be acceptable. At 60 kms I knew that I was gonna go to 70 before I turned. So unless I got a flat I was gonna get my 140 in, regardless of the suffering it would take.
Even with that decision made it was hard to stay positive. Why do I want to do this to myself week after week all for the sake of one day of glory? Because of the wind and the fact that it is a relatively flat route I spent 3 solid hours in the aero bars. The result of that was a very sore ass and very cramped shoulders. A few hills would have been a godsend.
It sure felt great when I turned around and ran with the wind. Then I had only one more little tough spot at the end. Often when we have a southwest wind it turns as the day wears on, more to the south. Today was no exception which meant that the last 12 was gonna be hell....and it was.
But I made it in a very slow time of 5 hours. Of that 5 hours, 3 of them were on the way out, and just 2 back!!
So I was a bit tired when I got back, but as part of my earlier excuse making I had already decided that my run would be a short one. I headed out with the intent of maybe 4 kms. But lo and behold I felt great right away! I completed the original plan of 7.3 kms in a very nice time of 33:46. Wow!
So I feel very content with my effort. I think there were 2 factors at play today. First and foremost was the bit of a break I forced myself into, and secondly I took great care to make sure I consumed lots of calories and that I got lots of electrolytes.
But most importantly I tested my resolve and passed!
One of the reasons I had justified the possibility of a shortened run was because I wanted to get to the tri shop in London before they closed at 4. After a serious bout of courier madness my new baby arrived in London for the second time. She's not ready to come home yet so I thought I would just go for a quick visit. Here's a bit of a teaser for you.
(ride 140 kms, run 7.3)
There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul."---Ella Wheeler Wilcox
While it's great to have advance warning of tough conditions it can also play on your mind a little. When you know you have to get up in the morning and that you're gonna be out there for 5-6 hours it can be a bit daunting. I was even starting to think about delaying til Sunday but things didn't look much more attractive then
So I was up and out by 9 am with long sleeves and gloves. While it was indeed a bit chilly (10C), after I got my muscles warmed up I was okay. I was awful glad for the gloves however.
On account of the very strong winds (30 kms/hr) I decided that I was just gonna stay close to home doing whatever loops that came to mind. I did however start out on my favorite route which after the first 12 kms turns southwest and today was headed directly into the wind.
And that's when the head games began.
Maybe I would do the first 30 k into the wind and then head back and do loops.
Maybe I would turn at Shedden and head back home.
Maybe I would only need to do 120 kms today since it was such a brutal wind.
Maybe I would make a new decision with every 10 kms I got under my belt.
At some point I realized that any of these rationalizations could leave me with a shortened workout, which was not gonna be acceptable. At 60 kms I knew that I was gonna go to 70 before I turned. So unless I got a flat I was gonna get my 140 in, regardless of the suffering it would take.
Even with that decision made it was hard to stay positive. Why do I want to do this to myself week after week all for the sake of one day of glory? Because of the wind and the fact that it is a relatively flat route I spent 3 solid hours in the aero bars. The result of that was a very sore ass and very cramped shoulders. A few hills would have been a godsend.
It sure felt great when I turned around and ran with the wind. Then I had only one more little tough spot at the end. Often when we have a southwest wind it turns as the day wears on, more to the south. Today was no exception which meant that the last 12 was gonna be hell....and it was.
But I made it in a very slow time of 5 hours. Of that 5 hours, 3 of them were on the way out, and just 2 back!!
So I was a bit tired when I got back, but as part of my earlier excuse making I had already decided that my run would be a short one. I headed out with the intent of maybe 4 kms. But lo and behold I felt great right away! I completed the original plan of 7.3 kms in a very nice time of 33:46. Wow!
So I feel very content with my effort. I think there were 2 factors at play today. First and foremost was the bit of a break I forced myself into, and secondly I took great care to make sure I consumed lots of calories and that I got lots of electrolytes.
But most importantly I tested my resolve and passed!
One of the reasons I had justified the possibility of a shortened run was because I wanted to get to the tri shop in London before they closed at 4. After a serious bout of courier madness my new baby arrived in London for the second time. She's not ready to come home yet so I thought I would just go for a quick visit. Here's a bit of a teaser for you.
(ride 140 kms, run 7.3)
There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul."---Ella Wheeler Wilcox
"Resolve to perform what you ought; perform wihout fail what you resolve"---Benjamin Franklin
Love
Peter
Nice wheels to match the aero dynamic head piece. Post pic of complete ensemble when your baby is able to come home.
ReplyDeleteyeah, yeah, more teasing...prick! moron! idiot!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a good post. I have those same internal conversations, rationalizing whatever i feel like doing at the time. It is a constant struggle to continue in spite of whatever obstacle presents itself. There is no doubt it is a very mental exercise!
ReplyDeleteLove Old John