CARROT STICKS
IT HAD BEEN ABOUT 10 MILES since I'd last seen the crew. Apparently, they even stopped to wait for me at some point. I was too far back to catch. My friends are so kind...
... when they are not stomping on the pedals.
Swami's Long is, by far, my favorite loop,
with a few of the local hitters,
and National Champs...
... I couldn't resist.
It was a real carrot and stick ride.
I'd start coming off the back,
and claw my way back on.
When the elastic was about to snap,
I'd put in the last ditch effort.
The carrot of a solid draft is tasty.
Eventually, on W. Lilac, which is like a Disneyland ride with twists and turns and ups and downs...
... the stick of being dropped clobbered me.
It wasn't enough to prod me back to the group.
There was no more pace in my legs to pick up.
Am I happy about that,
being dropped?
100%.
It's a gorgeous ride.
Am I happy about today's numbers, which well off what I was doing a few years ago?
Well, yeah, I think I am.
Today's effort was almost a mirror image of Gravel Nationals a few weeks ago.
One big difference.
I was very tapered for that big A race in Nebraska,
and mostly tired this morning from a pretty big week.
What's it mean?
I think it means I'm track for the last race of the year.
Gravel State Champs.
===
Just a side note... yesterday I was having a bit of a Woe is me moment. Battling with doctors and insurance and all that goes along with that. I was tired, and kinda bummed.
Feeling a little defeated.
When I went to bed, I thought The hell with it I'll just ride by myself in the morning wallow in my sorrow. Not a great place to be mentally or spiritually or socially.
When I woke up, after a solid sleep, it was early.
I had new thought...
... Screw this, I'm gonna ride with my friends.
Ain't nothing like some zzzzzzs
and friends,
and watts...
... to get the ol' soul back on track.
Am I right?!
===
164.8 (only way i'm gonna finish with the group is drop 5)
8 hrs
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling