raw

Week 3, Day 4 (June 25th)

Cycling is a raw sport. Sure, the professionals have super light bikes, aerodynamic helmets and clothing, and crazy-super protein/carbohydrate/sugar/kitchen-sink bars to make them go faster and farther; but, when you strip away all the special gadgets and widgets, it all comes down to simply you, the road, and whatever comes at you. It's all up to you and your legs to push and pull you down the road. There is no team for you to count on, no base or goal to run to, no ball to throw and catch. You sweat, you groan, you smile, you strain, and at the end you collapse. Pure survival.

And somehow, I love it.

With that said, I'm not riding today, haha... I went to Carowinds yesterday and hung out in the sun all day long, consequently exhausting myself. I do not regret the decision because I had a lot fun with my sister (plus her guy) and my good friend, Beth Sulkowski. However, Carowinds, along with a late-night nail-biter Gamecock baseball game (in true Gamecock fashion), did not encourage excitement about or willingness to attempt an early-morning two and a half hour bike ride today. As yesterday was supposed to be a rest day and I did anything but rest, today shall become my rest day instead.

I'm supposed to ride three and a half hours tomorrow and I have no idea where I'm going to go in order to achieve that. I like this training plan in that it concentrates on length of time ridden, rather than miles accomplished. And, honestly, minutes tick by much faster than miles on a bike. However, it's very difficult to gauge how many miles you may go in a certain amount of time, and what loop to take to get back home within that same amount of time. You (or, at least, I) can't just head out in one direction for over three hours, then call someone to come pick me up and take me back home when I'm done. I have to plan these things out, and this training plan, though effective, leaves little guidance for doing so.
I haven't checked how far it is yet, but I'm considering riding to the Boiling Springs/Inman area where family lives, then seeing if they will be kind enough to cart me back home.

Today marks three weeks til the ride... I'm excited and anxious all together. Prayers are welcome.