Untitled by lavagal at Garmin Connect – Details.
I was admiring myself in the mirror this morning, all sleek in my black Pear Izumi jersey and bike shorts, tie-dye arm sleeves, red Sidis and my pink helmet when John burst my bubble, like he always does, with a “You gotta work harder. You need to get back into that 6-day a week workout routine if you want any results.” I’m used to it. Rather than debate with him about my levels of trim and fitness, I agree. For the record, I’m not looking like a train wreck these days.
So after that convo, John informed me, as we were clicking into our pedals this morning, that we were gonna do some hills. This after my begging off for an easy ride to Triangle Park in Kahala once or twice. It wasn’t meant to be. John rides a whip and his words are whips, too. Believe me, he’s the nicest guy going. Riding to him is second nature. He doesn’t relate to my pain. If it isn’t the result of running, he’s pretty certain I’ll get over it.
I took the lead, as I often do, toward the back of our valley along Lunalilo Home Road and then up Kamiloiki Hill. I made it up to that second side street and I had to turn off. It’s about 80 percent up that hill. Many normal people take that side street as an opportunity to catch one’s breath. I’ve been able to pass it before, but this morning I couldn’t. I blame it on still recovering from last weekend. I was able to get some kick and I continued up the road, connecting with John who waited for me just past the crest. It took me to Kalanianaole Hwy before I was able to catch my breath again.
We proceeded to Makapu’u. That’s when I figured it out. I did Kamiloiki on my big ring. D’oh! No wonder it was killing me! But I did it! So let’s here it for reverse-psychology-mental-push-up opportunities to trick oneself into succeeding! And let’s just say I never want to hurt that much again.
How nice to have broken 60 miles today. That’s 100+ this Labor Day weekend. I’m pretty sure I’ll be feeling the pain during the Century on 9/26, but, at least I’m building on the physical and mental fitness.
Lavagal 
You had a fine ride. Good thing you have compact cranks … makes climbing a hill in the big ring doable. Good for the confidence on what you can do on the hills. Goodness knows you can book it pretty well on the flats. Thanks for hanging in there to get the miles up. You’ll be happy for the extra saddle time come the HNL century.
Oh ya meanie!
Let’s see how it goes if I loosen the Sidis a little. That might prevent the hot foot I experienced today. If I get that at 40+ we need a solution, STAT!