by jonathon.e » 09 Feb 2013 23:37
Mine is the chase and the luck of the draw
Yours is the iron hand of the state
Yours is the book, the bell and the rope
Mine is the Gamblers fate
Injuries healing nicely, thought I might have had to wait another week before getting outside again, but the weather, was cold, the roads quiet, some ice in the shadows and I wasn't at work. Initially it was going to be a small run out, but, it was such a nice day ( well given the conditions that I have been out in lately ), it was the best day I have ridden in for a few months. So kept going to clock the 100km for the challenge.
The ride took me from one of the lowest places in the Lincolnshire Wolds to the highest, which isn't exactly climbing a Lake District pass, but it was still up hill. Trundling around got me thinking, why was I doing this 100km, Last year, I did one ride over 45 miles, I haven't raced middle or greater for a long time, the ride eats up training time, for more specific training, for say short course events. I have lost speed, for endurance. So why. Suppose it is because it is a challenge, fitting it in, finding four hours, through time management, family commitments, it is easy to see why this club challenge has a high fallout, but one more to do, challenging yes, purposeful, for me, not really.
If Harry Potter is looking for his cloak of invisibility, I think I must have it. Now you wouldn't think that a six foot two inch, sixteen stone bloke would be hard to miss, but no thanks to Harry's cape, cunningly disguised as a cycling jacket, nice yellow panels, three back lights on the bike, one flashing light attached to the helmet car drivers may notice you, but no, even with the streets around here littered with signs showing riders with lights on them, it might help, yes sounding your horn will make me more visible I am sure.
But being invisible seems to be a trait I have picked up, despite working at my place of work for over twenty three years, some management, still are not aware of who I am, in fact there are only five other people who have worked there longer than me, we'll, suppose if they don't know me, they can't blame me. Even at triathlons, I must blend in and become invisible, despite standing next to my kit in transition, the competitor next to me starts moving my stuff, " sorry mate, didn't see you, just moving you stuff ok," , " No you little tossed, it isn't ok, for you to move my trainers, so you can put your towel, cycle shoes, water, helmet, bag, box, trainers, in an area that you could build a small detached cottage on"
So who do you meet in the transition area, any of the following:
Mr Bling- shiney bike, disc wheel, pointy hat, generally followed around by waifly thin girlfriend, and a small entourage of club athletes, later seen at the finish, discussing why, he DNS, DNF, or the wind just caught him on the corner, pushing him into the gutter, puncturing his tyre, but as it was only a sprint tri, there was no point in carrying spares, as he was only in it to win it.
The Super model-easily recognised by immaculately turned out make up, hair style, kit, which surprisingly does fit, unlike everyone else's which doesn't. Despite transition being a quagmire, the wind gusting over 40 mph, and torrential rain, they will still finish the race cleaner and more immaculate than when the started.
The one tri expert.- usually the loudest in transition, telling everyone how to lay their kit out, what the best way to plan the race is, why every one is doing it wrong. Most sentences used are directly picked from Joe what's his face training bible, and when pressed as to what triathlons they have done before, will side step the question, move away and start talking louder further down the transition line.
The Occupationist- like a country from the nineteen thirties, this competitor will want to occupy as much space as possible in transition, his own, yours, the one the other side in front, behind, his towel will be a family picnic rug, unable to do simple arithmetic, ten bikes in a row that is five metres long would give each competitor, at least four metres to lay out their kit, probably works in Banking, at least to his reckoning.
The Sly dog- ambles into the transition area, spends two minutes putting his kit out, then disappears, his kit is used, mucky, might have a couple of race numbers on the handlebars, when he puts Lycra on, it looks billowy on him. He will be a contender.
The OCD triathlete, most fall into this, they spend ten minutes getting their kit out, it is orderly, neat, clean, if you watch carefully they will return to transition a number of times prior to racing, to check the bike is still up right and not leaning, the tyres are still pumped to 106psi, as that was the pressure he has always used, checking the right gear is selected, making sure no one has moved anything, even when not in transition he will be watching.
Maybe I will do the supporters next log entry.
Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.