Getting Competitive

I often tease Michelle because she is so competitive.  My favorite example was when we did the un-timed, noncompetitive Bike the Bay ride in San Diego the summer before last.  During this race, the Coronado Bridge is closed to allow bicycle traffic--the only time each year this occurs.  The views are spectacular, and most cyclist slowed down or even stopped to enjoy the unique vantage point.  Not so Michelle.  As I looked over to comment on the amazing view as we crested the bridge, she was long gone, head down, weaving through the slowing cyclist, determined to get ahead of them.  I really gave her a hard time for that, though I shouldn't, because it is what really drives her to succeed in the various racing endeavors she participates in, including her current triathlon efforts.  But it's something that rarely motivates me when it comes to sports and recreation.  For example, I always loved playing a fun game of tennis, but as soon as I joined a doubles league and things got seriously competitive, it kind of spoiled the sport for me.  I've never wanted that to happen with cycling, which I love, so I really am not interested in doing any bike racing.  So it was a bit of a surprise when I found my competitive juices flowing on my commute home from work on Wednesday....

I was headed home on the bike a bit late, having done a late afternoon training session.  I hurriedly changed into shorts, t-shirt and sandals for the ride home...definitely not any sort of competitive riding attire, and headed out.  On my touring/commuter bike, with a backpack containing my laptop over my shoulders and pannier stuffed with my work clothes and shoes on the rack, I was designed for anything but speed.  However, as I headed up Adams, I caught sight of another cyclist in my helmet mirror.  He was about 100 yards behind me as I started up the one fairly steep hill just south of Ivy.  There was no mistaking, even in the tiny 1" square view of my mirror, that he was on a racing bike and that he was fully decked out in lycra racing jersey and shorts--the bright (I would say gaudy) colors stood out even in the reflection.  I had no business competing with someone so geared and attired, but something primal kicked in, and I became determined not to let him catch me before I got to the top of the hill.  I kicked it into gear and pushed hard.  I did not look back until I crested the hill--only then did I check the mirror see that while he had gained slightly, he was still a good 50-75 yards back.  Not satisfied, I decided to make it to Ivy without being passed.  I shifted into a higher gear and pedaled hard down the hill, only slowing as I approached the intersection.  Though I could see the other rider pedaling hard, he had still gained only 10 yards or so.  So of course, Juniper became the new goal.  I cranked the pedals furiously and made it just as he caught up...suddenly feeling a little sheepish for so clearly working to prevent being passed in my commuter rig.  When he turned east on Juniper, I continued home at my usual leisurely pace, sweaty, but inwardly quite satisfied with myself.  My only disappointment is that I was concentrating and working too hard to take any pics.

Am I ready to start racing?  Absolutely not.  But I do have a little more appreciation for those racers out there and the rush they get from competitive cycling. Still, you won't catch me in my lycra any time soon, something that no doubt comes as a relief to the general public.

Here are the workouts and meals for the week:

Workouts

Monday, 10/22

Warm Up (2 rounds):

• 15 min walk
• Samson stretch
• 15 sit ups
• 15 air squats

Workout (3 rounds):

• 20 Russian Swings
• 20 toes-to-bar or leg lifts

Wednesday, 10/24

Warm Up (2 rounds):

• 15 min walk
• Samson stretch
• 15 rolling v-sits
• 10 mountain climbers
• 10 fire hyrdrants
• 10 twist lunges

Workout (3 rounds):

• 15 burpees
• 10 split lunges

Friday, 10/26

Warm Up (2 rounds):

• 15 min walk
• Samson stretch
• 15 sit ups
• 15 air squats

Workout (2 rounds)

• 15 ball slams
• 15 upright rows

Meals

Monday, 10/22

Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters with Buffalo cauliflower

Tuesday, 10/23

Smoky Bacon Chili

Wednesday, 10/24

Grilled Pork Chops with Asparagus

Thursday, 10/25

On the road--TBD

Friday, 10/26

Meatza Pizza with salad

Saturday, 10/27

Ribeye steak with collard greens

Sunday, 10/28

Asian-marinated crockpot beef spareribs