I don't live very close to where my work and local tri-friends live. And for that matter, there are not hoards of people training for Ironman anyway. So, I wind up spending a lot of time on the weekends all by myself.
Sometimes when I do that, I know that I am not really training hard enough, not really pushing myself, not taking many risks. I'm just putting in the time. That is especially true when I am riding on a trainer. I show up. I usually hit the approximate heartrate zones. But, it almost doesn't feel real if I am the only one who is involved. Sort of like "if a tree falls in the forest and there is no one around to hear it, does it really make a sound?"
This past weekend was for real. Lisa of Ferrari Flies and Robyn of Iron (who totally needs to get a blog) were coming north of town with a group of HRTC-ers who are training for Ironman Arizona and Ironman CdA.
Lisa, the "skinny jeans" ringleader and her bike, The Silver Streak.
Feel the lust for Robyn of Iron's pinked out bike.
I think this is a first Ironman for both of them, and they are both totally on track to have a strong race. Lucky me, I latched on for the ride with several others, and it was for real.
It was about 41 degrees when we rolled out at 7:30 and very damp. The slate gray cloud cover pressed down and drifted through the pines of the Sam Houston National Forest. Very soon we could not feel our fingers or our toes. There was great conversation to hold off the chill, some fog, cattle, one dog attack, 60+ miles of Texas countryside, and in the last hour, beautiful sunlight. The group of us did an honest to goodness ride with hills and some tempo and a run off the bike.
Of course the best part was not having to wonder if "it really made a sound." I think each of us pressed a little harder during those parts of the ride where we would not have bothered had we been alone. I know I did, and I can feel it today. It was real training with real people that will result in real improvement.
I need to do this "people" thing more often.
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16 comments:
The people thing is so good. I spent an hour of quality time on my trainer Sunday in a garage with 9 other women. We sweated and swore and really enjoyed what would have been a painful and lonely experience otherwise. 3 cheers for training partners!!
This "people" thing of which you write - can I get that as an optional extra for a Comp-u-trainer?
Oh my gosh!!! Does she have a pink bento box?!?!
Dang! I got so excited I hit the publish button too many times :-)
60??? You are going 60 miles already? And you are razzing ME for getting in 3000 meters in one workout last week?
I need to up the mileage this weekend for SURE! Great job! And I am SOOOO jealous of these women's tricked out bikes...even tho min is cool, theirs are already set up to race. I still don't have a between the bars bottle or bento box. I guess I had better get with the program, huh? :-P
that ramblin' road looks super fun. glad you got some quality time in with real peeps!!!
Her bike is sweet!!
I hear ya, I am a serious loner!!
I like people.
Great ride!!
that is a shitload of pink. overload!!! woahh!!
thats great you got out there with a few riders. makes a big difference to have some company!
I don't know how you ever do it alone. I guess I'm a girl, so maybe that has something to do with it, but I have no desire to ride long by myself. Those rednecks in Montgomery are scary!
Hey Dog,
I get out there and park at the little park in Mongomery for my rides too.
We will have to do the "people" thing together with some training rides. That is my favorite route!
Liz
i don't know, i really like training out there by myself on long rides sometimes. it's a nice way to mentally toughen up before the big dance.
but riding with people is fun too :) you must be jealous that i get to ride with Su!
I hear ya. People. People are good. The trick is to find people who don't slow you down, but who also don't kick your ass all over the place and who you actually like and want to get a beer with after training, and also people who will actually drink a beer after training as opposed to say, a recovery beverage.
Tricky tricky tricky.
An aside. What the hell am I doing in Boston? I see these southern pics taken in January and I want to weep.
There's like no SNOW in that picture. sigh. amazing.
How fun!! Except for the numb fingers and toes!
I'm in with Liz..
thats a great route!!
rockon`
It was a great day! Glad to see the pics. :)
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