My training partner and I had the opportunity to hook up with the Breakaway Bettys group this morning for a ride out throughFort Jackson and into Lower Richland. As the ride progressed off the fort (my least favorite part of all routes) and out into the Horrell Hill area, I moved this route over into the "favorite route" section in my memory bank. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also had a phenomenal opportunity to talk with another cyclist who recently moved here from Arizona. She was able to provide a number of pointers to us with regards to the true meaning of "dry heat", hydration, elevation (or lack thereof), etc. This information will undoubtedly be invaluable to us once we get on the course in Arizona.
Following the ride, three of us headed out through the Shandon neighborhood for a 4-mile run. My training partner and I were joined by Meg, a Breakaway Betty, who is always full of life. She was such a positive motivation for us today. The humidity was excrutiating and we found ourselves on the front lawns of those who decided to do a late Sunday morning watering of their lawns. We also encountered a young woman watering flowers with her hose and we politely asked her to spray us, a request I am sure she doesn't get very often. This was quite satisfying, although temporary, it was a motivation to proceed forward. Before too long, the run was over.
As with my other increaased endurance workouts, it continues to be an issue of mind over matter. I am finding that my mind is the one part of my body that I am going to have to strengthen the most. This has consistently improved over the training months past but it still continues to be an area that I need to work on. I have to get mentally tougher...It's too easy to just think about walking just a little bit. This is undoubtedly counterproductive as it often leads to walking a little bit more...and more...and more. Regardless, it was a successful completion of the brick workout.
What wasn't successful: Let me just add that sometimes, things just don't go as planned. At a major intersection, one of the group spotted random coins all over the pavement. I proceeded to assist her with picking them up. Then, the light changed. Everyone moved forward, well, that is everyone except me! You would have thought that I had never clipped in to a clipless pedal before. Right foot - miss; left foot-miss; try again - miss; try another time - denied...As the light changed again, I had no option but to run across the intersection, bike between my legs, holding this one lonely quarter that I just HAD to pick up. I have no doubt that the image left with those drivers at this intersection today was sometimes you can look the part and still not be able to fit the part. I know for sure they were thinking, "Does she REALLY know how to ride that thing?" I got a quarter thought, right? How much is YOUR pride worth? LOL
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