Riding with the wind

RIDE 56.1 miles in 3:15

My goal for this was to just spend some time on the bike in a easy, aerobic paced ride. To enjoy the brand new fall weather, and to just have some me time.

It mostly went that way. A few differences.

I don't know if I can do easy aerobic. Every now and then I'd push into a very short interval, or I'd look down to make sure my speed was "good enough", then I'd lament my "only" 17.something mph speed. In the same thought I'd chastise myself for thinking that way. I had goals, plans for next year, expectations.

That ride I want to do where I leave STL and ride north to my family--would I be able to ride that "easy and aerobic"? Gotta wonder.

The new fall weather was impossible to ignore. Yesterday's run in the relative heat, with shorts, a jog bra, sweat, and rain was so last season. Today was capri tights, light arm warmers, an extra layer, a wet nose, and mild complaints about the cold. Not only cold, but windy. Thankfully the trails are mostly protected from wind, there is exposure but truth be told they are protected. Goodbye summer, Hello fall.

Me time. As JF put it at JP's party last night: Maybe I should listen to music instead of just talking to myself. The topics range and change so far and so fast when I'm alone. Sometimes disjointed thoughts that come and go and come back again a few miles later. I enjoy it, but sometimes I can get pretty negative. Especially when I'm hungry and/or cold, and I was both of those!

Just two weeks ago I noted that I didn't think I was working hard enough for my training. OK so I'm technically not training right now, but this weekend took a good toll on me. And why am I training 10-11hrs a week?! Wow! 39 miles running, 76 miles biking, and 30 miles bike commuting. That last one is not counted in the hours. Wow!