A Spectacular Finish!

Thursday, August 30:

In trying to not overdo this whole thing I took
yesterday off. It turned out to be the best day for
riding; overcast, no wind... but I gave it a rest to
regain feeling in my fingers. It helped a little.

Today, I had my brother-in-law, Rob, to ride with. He
runs and rides regularly on road and on trails, he
runs 5+10K’s, does bi-athalons... the guy’s in shape.
Yea, I do shop-a-thons and I’m gonna keep up with
him... Actually, it was great to have him lead it
off, he had me at a faster pace for a longer time and
was really good for me. He gave advice, pointers and
road experience I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Best
of all, he showed me how to keep close enough to let
him break the wind a bit.

The wind. Have I mentioned the wind? Brutal. It was
in our face and near gale force from the start. It
was not one bit fun. You’d think it would go East or
West at the shore.... No, North and South. That’s it!
Riding against it is like being stuck in that dream
where you’re being chased and you can’t move your
feet. Except it’s real, and it hurts!

But the beginning is always the hardest. It would
would be easy to quit in the first couple miles every
time I go out. It’s horrible. If I get past the
three mile mark it’s still pretty bad. After six
miles it’s not fun. After ten, I seem to get in a
groove, wind or no. After that, somehow, it gets
easier.

If you think about it, life is like that too. No
matter the challenge or the situation, if you can get
through the start and work it out into a groove,
sometimes you’re as good as there.

So, we made it to the lighthouse. Rob was ahead for a
bunch, but I rather he did a little ride for himself
too. I didn’t want to hold him back. The whole deal
for me is getting there, not racing.

Rob waited for me to catch up, then let me lead the
last mile to the lighthouse. I pulled over and went
to put my foot out to stop... damn! Toe clips! Stuck
feet. I fell with the bike, tucked and rolled and
ended up on my back with my feet straight up in the
air, bike still attached, wheels spinning! What a
sight!! People waiting at the snack bar came to see
if I was OK. Just a jammed elbow... no scratches, no
blood. (I meant to do that;-) And if anyone had
filmed the fall, you’d be catching it on AFV! It was
truly spectacular!

The ride home was ideal. Steady light rain, overcast,
wind at my back, the easiest darned ride! It was
glorious. I passed home and continued on to finish at
40 miles, feeling Fan-freaking-tastic!

I've got dirt on my face, mud up my back, splatters
all over my chest, I'm sweaty and damp and I earned
every damned bit of it!!
I’m rooting for perfect, perfect weather tomorrow!
I know I can do this!


August 31,

I hung with the family most of the day. Went to the
water park. Had dinner reservations for 16, so I
seized the moment and did a quick 1 and a half-ish
hour ride before dinner. Into the wind, hurt like
hell, got to the ten mile mark, turned it around for
home. I did the fastest ride yet into the wind(though
still a snail's pace) and sprinted back home with the
wind in my sails. No coasting, I rode the heck out of
it. I'm getting stronger.

A ride with the wind is kind of like the roller
coaster, it takes forever to clink to the peak, but no
matter how high or far you go, it ends all too fast.
Deep down inside, I like speed:-) (when I'm in
control)

Tomorrow will be my last chance to ride the island. I
hear it's gonna rain. Perfect! It will be cool.

'Till next time,
Sandie