That "Nice Aerobic" Climb

Its been a while since I've written much here. I have, in fact, been writing quite a bit, but I didn't deem much of it worthy for public viewing. The last year or so has been a little tough on me and my writings have been somewhat dark.

I burned out on triathlon last year. Looking back it was probably the crash that set it off. I never really got my groove back after that, and racing the 5430 1/2IM was not fun. Not fun at all. That is not why I got into triathlon. Lately I've been feeling inspired to get back out there. I had a bit of an epiphany after my visit home for my brother's wedding last month, and finally put a training plan together. I raced my first triathlon in a long time - a local sprint race. I was a little disappointed overall with the result as thoughts of where I left off and what I used to be able to do raced through my mind. Yes, I am a long way from where I was, but, I enjoyed myself out there and the was the whole goal of the race - to find the fun and enjoyment in the sport again. Just being the moment, being in the race atmosphere... it felt like coming home. I am now totally motivated for my next race - a local Olympic distance late July. That one has a hardcore hill in it, but, I'll get up it.

Speaking of which, last month I was out riding with a friend and I took her up a new route (new to her, old to me). I told her it was a nice aerobic climb... well, it was a nice aerobic climb the last time I rode up it. This day was a different story. I wondered who messed with the road and made it steeper. My quads were screaming, my heart was racing. I didn't have my heart rate monitor on so I had no idea what my HR was. I looked up to see my friend ahead of me jump off her bike and start walking. Oh no! Breaking the cardinal rule - "Never walk". I hadn't gotten off and walked over the crest of a hill since my first half ironman six years ago. Well, since she broke the ice I joined suit and hopped off as well. You can never be the first one to bag it, but once someone has you have a free ticket to join. Or not. Today I chose to take the free ticket, but it didn't do anything to quell the guilt I felt for it. I felt pretty defeated and prayed no one I knew would ride by and see me walking over the crest of the climb. When I met her at the top I told her we were NEVER going to walk over a crest again. She laughed and said something about her heart rate being in "whatever the hell is beyond zone 5" and agreed.

This morning I went out to take on that same "nice aerobic climb" with a mission. Get up it. Get up it I did and the best part, my heart rate never left zone 3. Yes it was slower, but it was the nice aerobic climb I'd remembered.

I am back. Back to the sport I fell in love with, and back for all the right reasons. My mind is clear again. My eyes are bright again. The old Wy is returning, much the same but definitely a little wiser. :-)

6.28.06

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