The Final Week

(Final Week, Day 3, Wednesday, July 14th)

It occurred to me that, as this is the week of the big ride, I should probably write something regarding cycling. Despite having already taken the weekend off from riding, I'm taking it easy on the bike this week. There's no reason for me to force my legs to carry me 40-60 miles today or tomorrow, then ask them to accomplish their greatest feat yet over the weekend. So, easy goes it.

I went for a short, albeit steamy, ride on Monday evening - it only amounted to about 16 total miles. I took Tuesday off and went for a walk instead of a ride. And today I rode over to my parents' house to watch Stage 10 of the Tour. It's amazing how hot it is at just 8:00 in the morning. It only takes me about 45 minutes to get to my folks' and my jersey, face, and hair were all dripping with sweat by the time I arrived. Sigh... it's not really fun to think about the heat that's sure to plague us during the RTR, so I just don't don't.

Once I go back home, I will have racked up about 20 miles for the day, which isn't bad. I brought my laptop with me in my super-sized, super-wonderful backpack so I could get some things done while watching the TdF - I don't want to be completely lazy - and during the ride I regretted that decision. Laptops are heavy and the burden I created for myself held me back considerably. It made me think that maybe I should have done all my training with a laptop on my back so that when it came time to ride without it, I would feel as light as a feather. With that said, I do believe I will leave the bag here for my trip home. It's just too hot now to have all that extra weight hanging on your back. I'll come back in the car later and pick it up.

I have no real interesting news to report. I bought a new cyclocomputer and it's working well. I'm a little anxious about all that is coming, as I usually am. I have a habit of being nervous before big events, whether it's a charity ride, a triathlon, a concert, a big test/exam, or whatever. However, fortunately, that nervousness usually evaporates once I begin. Part of my anxious state stems from having nothing to distract me. I've finished my summer class, I don't have a job, and I don't have any daily obligations to keep my mind off of riding over 200 miles. So, I'm watching the TdF, packing and repacking, drinking tons of water, and picking blueberries when I feel like it.

One fun aspect of big rides like this is carbo-loading: My husband and I are planning on pigging out at Pizza Inn Thursday night for just such a purpose. :) (Or at least, I'm planning on pigging out...)