Easy Way Out

I turned the corner and there it was. I had completely forgotten about it. It was there all along, patiently waiting for me. The wind. Every cyclist knows that eventually it will find you. Unless you have the tremendous good fortune of riding across the middle of a pressure system.

As I felt the wind push against me I tightened up my form to present the smallest target possible. I downshifted and adjusted my focus to spinning circles. I went from an invigorating 28 mph downwind cruise to a 15 mph grind over the course of 10 feet. Pretty rough transition.

But this is what the mental part of training is all about. Dealing with the ups and downs. Persisting. Resisting. By working through it I learn that I can deal with it. I learn that I can succeed by adjusting my attitude and focus. I can get angry and frustrated at being unable to fly effortlessly, or I can focus on tuning up my form and being more efficient.

As I grind my way down the road I pass another road which if taken will provide a shortcut out of the wind. The easy way out. The quick path back to effortless flight. I smile as I grind pass the street. I smile because I'm not the type that goes wherever the wind blows. I smile because I don't give into temptation and take the easy way out. And I smile because I know that my training has brought about this change. I continue smiling as I keep pushing into the wind.

Another turn. The turn I had planned not the turn of temptation. Wind at my back again. Earned instead of given. Another smile.

In the end the wind, like any adversity, holds the potential to make us stronger. However strength will only come if we're unwilling to yield to the temptation of the easy way out.

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Workout Summary

2880 yd swim (yesterday)

65 mile bike

A cloudy, humid, windy ride today. Actually the wind was only about 15 mph out of the south but for some reason it felt stronger. Humid air always seems to feel heavier, especially when there's a bit of wind behind it. The ride went well but I was pretty wiped by the end. Still haven't scheduled a fitting yet but I definitely need to. My spin feels very solid so I think my seat height is good, but my neck has been getting sore and I don't feel quite right with my for/aft positioning. Time for professional help.