No, No, No! It’s not an e-mail about breaking wind, fluffing, tooting, ripping one off, slipping one out, passing gas, or any of the other descriptions of the sometimes embarrassing bodily function. I mean riding a bike and cutting through the wind. Ever since last Saturday (4/8), the wind has been blowing from 10 to 20 mph. On this Saturday (4/15) it dropped to 5 to 10 mph and made the long bike a whole lot easier.
There were times it was at least 10 mph and I was headed directly into it, but it’s a lot better than 15 or 20. Yes, I whine about it but I have tried to use it as a challenge to become a better biker in windy conditions. I’m not sure if I’ve gotten any better, but I’m not as intimidated, so I’ll call that a victory.
As far as Saturday’s ride goes, what a difference a week makes. Those of you who didn’t just delete last weeks ramblings may remember that I had a little trouble going from the bike to the run. This week it was almost the opposite. I was supposed to ride 2 to 3 hours at heart rate 1, but I learned to ride from “Jean the Biking Machine”, so I actually rode 3:28:18 (Jean says “If 3 hours is good, then 3:28:18 must be better”). I did keep it at HR 1, didn’t push it into the wind, and didn’t chase after the two guys in 57.89 miles that passed me.
When I got done, the training schedule called for a 15 to 20 minute transition run at heart rate 1 or 2. It was 79 degrees, so I knew to take it easy. I was off on the run in less than 4 minutes and my Garmin kept beeping at me to slow down. I did slow down, and it beeped at me again to slow down. Every time I heard it beep I’d slow a little more and it kept it up the entire 20 minutes.
I know to most of you runners I run at a snail’s pace but for me it seems like it’s faster than I should be going this soon in the training schedule just coming off the bike. It must have something to do with translating from a fast leg turnover on the bike, to a slower controlled leg turnover on the run. Oh great!! Another thing to work on before September 10th. I think I’m over thinking everything.
We went to the dinner theater Friday evening to see Brigadoon. My older brother, Bill, and I were in St. Joe High School operettas and we did Brigadoon in my Junior year (his Senior year). I didn’t remember what part I played until Bill reminded me. When the show started it all came back to me and I remembered all of the songs and most of my lines. OK. I’ve always had a little weight problem, I wear glasses, I’m not very good at sports, I made a career as an accountant, I sang in the choir, I’m a preacher’s kid…I go to weekly meetings, get up and say “My name is Jack and I’M A GEEK”.
We had a great time. Bill was with his wife Lois, brother Bob was with his friend Patti (or Patty, or Pattee, or however she spells it), and Mom was my date. The photographer came around and took pictures of each couple ($20.00 for an 8×10, a refrigerator magnet, and two key chains) but Mom and I didn’t buy ours. Mom’s eyes were closed and she swears it wasn’t because she got “tanked” during the cocktail hour and, since she’s my Mom, I believe her. She believed a lot of the stories we told her when we were growing up so we owe it to her.
I’m headed back to Michigan this coming Thursday and should be there by Friday afternoon. I’ll pack my long johns in my overnight bag so I can jump into them if need be. I’ll miss being close to family, the great weather and excellent bike trails, but I’ll be glad to get back to Michigan with Jean and friends. It may take a little while for me to shed my jacket while everyone else is in shorts and a t-shirt, but bear with me.
HAPPY EASTER!!!
Just (Warm For A Little While Longer) Jack