“I forgot my pump!”
I realized that rookie move after passing the Topanga Canyon exit on the 101 Freeway heading north to Malibu at 7:23A last Saturday morning; twenty-five minutes after I left my house, and about twenty-five minutes until I reached my destination in Malibu.
I had a Duathlon themed training day on tap (run-ride-run) that I had been looking forward to all week, but I drove our Sprinter (in order to provide a sufficient changing room) and forgot to grab the pump from the back of my Jeep. Ridiculous. For the next seventy-five seconds I contemplated staying on course and taking my chances without partaking in my “pre-ride tire pump” routine, but once my mind hit second seventy-six, I was exiting the freeway and turning around to go retrieve the pump.
I couldn’t disappoint Big Red; she is a shiny diva that demands and deserves tip-top service.
If I was meeting friends to ride, I probably would’ve stayed on course and crossed my fingers that they would have a pump I could borrow, but my workout was unique, i.e. I would be training solo, and decided bumping back my start time was well-worth the peace of mind of having my pump in hand, and tires perfectly plump before starting to roll north on Pacific Coast Highway.
Post run #1.
The first six mile run of the day felt terrible.
The added hour to my commute probably didn’t help my legs pop to attention right away, but I was actually more curious than bothered by their lackluster performance.
I view all of my training (workouts, sleep, nutrition) as an enthusiastic/mad Scientist these days, and was equally scratching my head about how this initial run felt, and excited to discover how the second run would feel later in the day?
As I was refueling and changing my wardrobe for the looming three-hour bike ride including race-effort intervals, I acknowledged that my legs felt fatigued, but my gut assured my mind that they just needed more time to warm up. Next, I relaxed and pedaled away trusting my legs would be revved up by the time I kicked off the intervals.
My gut was right.
My legs woke up about ten minutes into the ride and powered up to the requested watts during the intervals without much strain, but with a whole lotta glee as I sported a toothy and wide grin the entire ride.
Then it was time to run again.
This time around I was asked to increase my effort every two miles, aka, my favorite flavored workout, a progressive run. I ran the exact same route as the morning run, but it was a completely different experience.
Is it possible to truly know, feel, achieve, or hold onto the elusive it state of mind, body, health, wealth, satisfaction, or ultimate goal, etc., that we devote most of our lives pursuing? I used to think that was a very tough question to answer.
I had the Green Light to pick up my pace during the last two miles of that second six mile run, and I did.
Suddenly, I felt a rush of knowing and achievement that all of the years I’ve dedicated to the pursuit of it were manifesting within and all around me; I felt strong, steady, fast, controlled, and elated that it finally showed up.
When you know, you know.
The song and video choice this week is a new, catchy tune and very sweet visual story from Australian artist, Vance Joy, Missing Piece.
P.S. Next Tuesday I will be traveling to Coeur D’ Alene, ID for the Ironman on Sunday, 6/27, therefore I am not positive what my posting schedule will entail? Stay tuned…