Maand: september 2018

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

I visited my cardiologist Tuesday.  I have noticed that as I have moved past 60 (did I say that out loud…), I no longer visit doctors…I visit specialists.  Cardiologist, Neurologists, Orthopedists…even my “regular doctor” is an Internist and don’t even mention the special gift that passing fifty gives you…the ever impending colonoscopy (yes, I need to schedule one before the end of the year…another specialist).   I guess that is what happens when you need to try to keep your body’s systems humming along, despite having abused them with poor eating, lack of exercise, lack of sleep and just general neglect.  Sort of the same look your pool gets when you say…I can check the chemicals next week!

My Cardiologist is a really smart guy at Mayo Clinic.  The whole Mayo Clinic experience is worth a post in itself, but suffice it to say that he knows what he is talking about and gets right to the point.  It occurred to me during my visit that his real goal is to reduce my risk of a cardiac event…sort of extend my life curve.  My Dad had a bypass in his 50’s and my family history is not really very supportive here, so I like the idea of “extending the curve.”  As an engineer, I really like things that are graphical.  It just seems easier to explain things when you are looking at a graph.  Just ask my kids or wife as I say…”here, let me explain that to you with a graph”…the eye rolling will now commence.  On my ride Tuesday, I starting thinking about the whole concept of “extending the curve.”  One of those little tricks to keep your mind off your numb fingers or pain in the…saddle…

At this point in life, the expectation that I am going to significantly alter the height of that curve and become a star triathlete or change the world through some disruptive, mind altering invention would probably be an indication of some psychological disorder that would require yet another specialist. So what does that mean?  In mulling this over as my legs were spinning my pedals, it really seemed that it is more about what’s under the curve than extending the curve.  What type of experiences, friendships, family, faith, and service to others fill that space under the curve.  Extending the curve is truly a gift to allow you to continue to fill the area under the curve with value.  In the end, it is really about the quality of the content under the curve and not so much extending the curve…

Get a bicycle.  You will not regret it, if you live – Mark Twain

I am not a morning person.  I have no problem staying up late, but my morning routine involves the ability to hit the snooze or tell Google to wake me “later” virtually without waking up…that is, unless I am going riding.  I am still not crazy about getting up early, but the thought of getting on my bike, is the push I need to roll out and hit the streets on my Roubaix.

It is two weeks till the TdS and that means I have pretty much hit the peak of my training plan.  Sunday’s morning ride was 67 miles.  It actually seemed a bit cool (what??) at 5:00 am before the sun hit the horizon.  For this length of a ride, I try to make sure I pace myself and pay attention to hydration and eating.  I usually try to “zone out” and get in a rhythm on the bike, but what usually happens is that you start thinking about little aches and pains and then begin go wonder…what is going to hurt today?  Will my hands get numb…will I get hotspots on my foot…will my arms get sore…will my butt start to hurt?  It seems to be a somewhat self full-filling so it is really important to try to focus outside the bike and hour body.  When I can do that…the ride just seems to fly by.  It is also much easier to ride in a group…as long as you are matched with riders of similar or slightly better ability.  The group truly seems to support a higher performance level and an ability to complete rides much more effectively.  Our ride last year to Rocky Point for 1Mission is a great example.  I would not have made it up the Ajo hill…into the wind…without the support of my group.  Cycling seems to be both an individual and group endeavor.  Sometimes is is difficult to separate the two, but the physical and psychological impact of riding with a group can not be overstated.

Completed the 67 miles today solo without incident (no flats!!!).  Rolling into my rest day tomorrow and then back on the training plan on Tuesday to continue to taper down to the fitness level and recovery level I will need for the ride on Oct. 7th.  Stay tuned…