Getting past the head games

Feeling it

I did an impromptu tempo ride Friday - because I could. The stats weren't overly impressive, but it was a consistent push for nearly 3-hours solid. Believe it or not, the boredom threshold is only about 20-minutes at the moment - meaning I really have to want to be out on my bike. Frankly the boredom really has a lot to do with success these days. That and having the daily thing that is life taking the wind out of your sails quickly. There are four basic levels that have to be met for success - all in time increments. 75 - 90 minute interval (mainly hills), 3-hour consistent tempo (near race pace), 5-hour century (100-miles) and the 6-8 hour plus endurance (typically Monte, or East Canyon). With all of that, you really have to be in the mood to be on the bike, as well as concentrating on the key points and milestones. If you don't feel it - go do something else productive and don't waste the resources.

The things you see along the way....

Things have not gone according to plan the past few days and it shows. Measurables are pretty stationary at the moment, as the input method has kind of sputtered-out.  Several distractions between work and home commitments are taking the toll. If character is what we do while alone - well, my character is certainly floundering. The need for inspiration has probably never been greater - and this is the time of year it is supposed to be easy. Probably needing to reinvent the input method - or maybe just lie to myself. One thing for sure, you can't by it - whatever it is. A precious commodity if you can find it.

Southern Hemisphere

In my previous life I was working on projects in South America - for several years. I'm guessing there had to be 24-25 trips to Brazil (Brasil) over the course of only a few years. Somehow I still managed to train with all that travel. Those trips were all business - typically 112 - 115 hours each week. Very early mornings, very light nights - all work and no leisure. So many evenings heading back to the hotel around midnight, driving through the darkness of cities and industrial areas - I never could see the stars of the Southern Hemisphere. I guess I had always figured there would be more trips, but I always packed them with a busy schedule. Through all of those visits, I saw three or four different hotels, a hand full of restaurants, a couple grocery stores and the same 145 miles of highway between the airport and the jobsite. I let that opportunity slip by without truly seeing the beauty that was literally all around me. Man.....if I had a dime for every time I've done that very thing.

Sometimes you don't realize what you've had until it is no longer there.  Speaking of that, this album speaks directly to the previous paragraph. For such a brief period, it sure brings back some special memories. Take it all in while you can - because you can.

From the Portland Rose Garden, 1982.....

Click here for "Southern Cross" 

Ride HARD!