First, this isn't going to be a post about what the title appears to suggest. It won't be about dealing with any health issues. I haven't had any follow up visits yet so it's steady as she goes right now.
This is about dealing with getting older and slowing down. I may have addressed this in a past post but if I have I need to do it again. Sorry.
I guess this has been rolling around in my mind since I got back on the bike at the end of June. I knew the first few rides would be slow. I was testing out how I felt. Checking to see if anything hurt. Making sure I wasn't doing any damage. The rides were mostly easy. I'll admit I pushed a few times each ride, just to see if I could and enjoy a little speed and pain. I put in 76 miles the week ending July 5 and 83 miles for the week ending July 12. That may seem like a big jump from 0 miles. Again, very easy. Usually 30ish miles or less. I was a bit tight and sore after a couple rides but that's just getting back my bike muscles. What kept rumbling around in my head was how quickly I tired when I did push the effort up a notch or two. My legs tired faster than normal. It felt like I was trying to breathe through a straw. I don't think the tingling sensation and black spots in my vision were normal either. Just kidding-maybe!?
My last ride was a nice loop over to Weyauwega. I hit some roads I haven't been down before. I always wondered where they went and it seemed like a good day to explore. I put in a good effort a couple times but again I ran out of steam so fast. When I hit Weyauwega and the headwind back to Waupaca I was beat. My head was down, shoulders slumped and I felt defeated.
I had a run earlier in the week that left me feeling the same way. It was a 5 mile progression run. Easy warm up. 20 minutes at 9:42-10:42 pace. No problem. The pace was towards the quick end of that range. I felt good. Then it was 10 minutes at 7:42-8:02 pace. Whoa! Who tossed out the anchor. It just wasn't there! I managed low 8's but nowhere near what the plan called for. Now, maybe speed work repeats the day before in the heat weren't wise, but again, that's what the plan called for. And they felt good. Fast and comfortable leg turnover. Decent recovery between efforts. I got back from that progression run feeling down and really beating myself up inside.
A few days rest and rumination and I'm feeling better about myself and my fitness. Not 100% pleased but "coming to grips with it"! I realize and I'm trying to accept that I'm not 40 anymore. Or even 50. Days of constant shift work, training and racing on the weekend are long past. Knowing with confidence that I can hit all the marks in my training are long gone. Lining up at a local race and knowing I'm prepared and strong are memories.
Now, before everyone chimes in, I'm not looking for pity. I know I'm lucky. I am still able to put one foot in front of the other and toss a leg over my bikes. And I'm am beyond grateful for that. Not everyone who wants that is able to do that. I was living in the past for a few days. Not exactly glory days but better days.
Okay, enough whining. My solution is to enjoy every mile. Some may not be what I want or expect, but they will all be appreciated. Solo miles. Miles with friends. Easy days and competition. At the end of the day every turn of the pedal and every foot fall. It's a better option than sulking on the couch and wishing for tailwinds and sunny days. My days of PR's and KOM's are mostly done. My days of getting outside and enjoying new backroads and fresh trails are not over.
All right, enough bitching for today. I'm enjoying a rare unplanned day off. I'm waiting for the rain to end and the skies to clear. The plan calls for strides today. And they'll get done. I'm not going to dwell on paces. It is what it is. That may be cliche, but it's true. I'm not a professional and nothing is hinging on my workout. If the legs feel good I may even sneak out for a little ride. And I'll enjoy every mile. Trust me!
As always, thanks for reading. I welcome comments, good or bad! Until next week....smile and enjoy the miles for what they are!
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