Genetic freaks & pain, musings on the nature of training

(the genetic freak part)

So, I raced Saturday (not a tri, but an MTB race). It was a tough race and I suffered. But that's not the point. The guy who won it overall (and who lapped me like I was a piece of roadkill) rode a singelspeed. He cleaned the clock of the local speedsters on geared bikes Did I mention he's 43 or 44 years old.

(/the genetic freak part)

(pain part#1)

So, in an episode underscoring my typical lack of judgement, I called up my century-addicted roadie friends and booked myself into our "usual Sunday ride" . I did this having been assured that "Oh, yeah it's a whole lot flatter than what we usually ride" and "there's not a single big climb on it."  47 miles and 3675 feet of climbing later. I was left wondering just where the "flatter" was.

(/pain part#1)

(musings)

As I watched my companions scamper away from me on the "flatter" climbs (Did I mention that one of them weighs 135 and the other maybe....maybe weighs 100, while I'm bumping up against the Clydesdale class.) I had time , lots of time, to contemplate the nature of training, and the place of pain in it. Here are my conclusions

• You have to be willing to hurt, to take yourself to the brink of quitting to get better
• Genetics beat willpower, like a flush beats a straight, like lucky beats good, like...well you get the idea
• Keeping a hamstring cramp at bay for an hour can be done, with a low enough gear
• I need to loose weight

(/musings)

(genetic freaks part#2)

I got a chance to talk to the winner of the Saturday race at the gym today. He said , and I quote, "I couldn't believe how sore I was yesterday. I went to go down my stairs, and I nearly fell over" 

(/genetic freak part#2)

(conclusion verse on)

Bring the pain, it comes like rain and falls on one and all

Bring the doubt, and air it out like writing on a wall

Bring your best and leave the rest for it matters not at all

(/conclusion verse)

Peas