The plan for today is a 2 hour and 20 minute ride. I am really looking forward to the ride today. Missy is off this weekend tapering for her Olympic Distance Triathlon next week so I have a little more flexibility in the schedule then usual. I sleep in to 8 am…I can’t remember the last time I slept this late? I get up and eat a light breakfast, throw on my gear and am ready to go.
Prior to leaving I shoot Chris a text telling him my plan and finish with a request for the rain to hold off. Chris reassures me that I have nothing to worry about. “The rain isn’t suppose to arrive until 1pm or so. You’ll be fine.”
With in 10 minutes the sky darkens as the storm clouds roll in. Another few minutes pass and I am peddling through an epic down pour. Good one Chris, I guess the joke is on me (hahaha). My initial thought is to turn back and wait out the rain. However, at the rate it has been going it may not stop for another week…so I push on. Besides I have to be prepared to deal with whatever comes my way on race day.
I power through the ride and am actually feeling pretty good, though the rain is pounding the air is clean and the temperature is nice. Today’s ride takes me up Route 52 to Route 1 and then down Creek Road along the Brandywine River. For those interested in a challenging ride along a picturesque backdrop this is the place for you. The canopied road provides numerous challenging climbs and smoothly paved road. This is definitely my favorite riding destination.
I have less then 5 miles to go on my ride when a familiar foe rears its ugly head. Another flat tire! I can’t believe this, my third flat tire in as many weeks. I am out of spare tubes so I am unable to fix the flat myself. Luckily I have my cell phone on me today. Missy to the rescue yet again, I don’t know what I would do without her? She has bailed me out on more then one occasion.
I am scheduled for a 45 minute run but decide to take pass. Having run a Zone 4/5 5 mile race last night I think it’s in my best interest to skip this one. Besides sometimes it is better to quit while you are ahead.
Tomorrow’s 1 hour and 45 minute run will be my longest of the program to date (between 12-13 miles). Following the run I hop on the bike for an easy hour then free to enjoy the best day of the year…Father’s Day.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
since reaching my personal goal of running in the broad street race i have felt slightly unmotived to continue with the long runs. it is a strange feeling of now what do i do? the philadelphia race? yikes! 13 miles am i nuts? but after reading your blog i am realizing how important it is to not put limitations on myself and that it really is okay to raise the bar higher and not feel like i am too old to handle the course. so once again jonny o. has motivated me not to be afraid to challenge myself. so please email me another training program september is just around the corner. love, aunt c.
ReplyDeleteHe ispires me just about every day. I think of him often when I am trying to drag myself out of bed in the morning at 5am. I am not just cursing him for being so noisy at 4am. Sometimes when I think about maybe skipping the day...trying to convince myself that I need the sleep more....Something he said to me a while back rings in my ear on those mornings...(not verbatim)...The true success/achievement is based on the hard work you put into your training...race day is just a victory lap. I wouldn't be doing what I am doing without my coach!....I think I will start a blog about John's Blog. :)
ReplyDelete