Burn of the brain.

I have to admit something.  I try to be positive most of the time, but some days riding a bike is like pulling teeth.  It sucks.  Plain and simple.  I am sorry, Mom, I have no other way to put it.  It just sucks.

Today was one of those days.  Why? I don’t know.  There should be some simple pleasures in life, like watching my SRM tick over the 3 hour mark.  Over 3 hours on my bike today.  Yes, for me that is a simple pleasure in life.  I should be thrilled that the coach let me accomplish such a feat.  I have been literally chomping at the bit for her to let me ride my bike longer.  And here was that day.  The day had arrived.  And…I am complaining?

Yet instead of relishing in this fact, I was going mental because I felt slow and was bored.  Really?  Bored?  I live in the most beautiful place in the world, it was 90 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, and warm.  The warmth radiated on my skin.  I am solar powered.  I even opted for a sleeveless jersey to not let the tanlines creep in.

It was one of those rides that you start rolling and your mind already begins to think about what you have to do after, and what you are going to eat.  I did it though.  3:04 on the bike today, and no bone pain.  No muscle pain.  Just brain pain.  Brain pain because I am slow these days, brain pain because I was contemplating what I was going to cook when I got done… And brain pain because I just wanted to go to the beach instead of hitting the realization that I am just building.  Building on the phenononal fitness I lost.  Building on my fortitude.

Reality sunk in, when a fellow cyclist and friend rode up to me, Richard, and I said, “beautiful day, eh? It couldn’t get any better?”  I meant that.  It was a gorgeous day.  Flawless, really.  Until you are recovering, building, and humbled.

Don’t worry.  I returned home to cook up a feast.  Go to the pool, and then go to yoga.  Mission accomplished. It was a good day.  A little ride over 3 hours.  Some outdoor relaxation that included getting rid of the said cycling tans.  And finally some Vinyasa.  I just am still trying to grasp the concept that today was a difficult day on the bike.  It wasn’t a burn in the legs, a burn in the lungs, but it was a burn in the brain.  Ouch.

But, in other news, I am still on tap for Levi’s Gran Fondo!  Building the hours this week!  Watch out! It will come.  We have time.  Or, so I hear.

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