Opportunities

So I was back out on my bike today. I think this was my fourth ride since I started back last week and its so cool because every ride is just a little bit better than the one before... that makes me super motivated and leaves me wanting to ride more often! Last week when I was a bit concerned about how weak my legs felt, Lucho assured me that it would take about a week to get much of that muscular endurance back and of course he was right. I'm not as strong as I was in September but today I felt leaps and bounds stronger than I did last week. :)

I had the opportunity to practice changing a flat tire today. It's been quite a while since I've had a flat... seriously maybe August was the last one? Even though I've probably changed 50+ flat tires over the years, I always get nervous when it's time to load up that CO2 cartridge... I've screwed it up a couple times before and since usually I'm riding alone and only carry one tube/CO2, well, if I screw it up I'm stranded and looking to hitch a ride. I suppose I should carry two but I like just having the little saddle bag on my bike and only one spare tube fits in there... That's why I carry my phone I suppose. Two flat tires would = a phone call for a ride home.

Anyway, at one point when I was riding and drops of sweat started dripping down on my sunglasses I thought about how grateful I am that I have the opportunity to ride outside all year long without completely freezing my ass off. It was ridiculously windy today (that is really nothing new) yet I managed to keep a really positive attitude about it today (that is kind of something new). I was actually rather proud of myself for not getting all pissy... instead of bitching to myself under my breath (or actually swearing out loud) I thought about how grateful I am that I have access to this uninterrupted stretch of rather flat road that almost universally presents me with 15-20mph headwinds (for like an hour). What a super opportunity to do big gear strength intervals! So I popped it into my 53/11 and spent about an hour just grinding away (GGRRRRRRR) and building back my bike specific strength. Amazing how just framing it differently in my head made the whole ride a completely different experience from what it could have been.

Speaking of positive opportunities, Recovery e21 is taking applications for their 2012 Triathlon Team until Dec 15. I haven't talked a lot about this awesome all-natural electrolyte supplement lately but rest assured I still take them every time I have even a remotely key workout where I want my leg muscles to function. I still don't know exactly how this stuff works (maybe it's the magnesium?) but it's effects are black and white to me... when I take it I feel better than when I don't! I take it before, during, and after hard training and somehow my legs feel less pounded and sore than they otherwise would (or do if I forget to take it). Anyway, I'm proud to represent this company and this product and if you want to do so as well, get your application in this week. It's a great opportunity!