Sidetracked

The week started off with sun and ended with rain. For riding, it was not a good week at all. I got on the bike on Monday and rode 16 miles, ending on a high note of getting up Coral Creek in 9 minutes - besting my time up the hill by 4 seconds. The difference was this was into a nasty wind. The effort felt extreme and I had hoped for a better time but the weather was not cooperating. I was surprised at only improving by 4 seconds. I had an interesting experience on the bottom of the small climb - doubt. As I started, my mind wandered as I pushed myself to my lactate threshold. I thought to myself, "with all this pain and wind, do you really think you can get up this hill faster than last summer?" I had a choice, give up and explain away the reason for not trying due to the weather. Or, I could put my head down and try. I went back and forth for a few moments as I standing on the pedals pushing up the first part of the grade. Rather than give up, I decide to see what I could do - to give it my all and to see if it was good enough. I rationalized that since I had ridden more miles, weighed less, and had better gearing, I had a good chance of succeeding so I should push on. I always finds these types of experiences in life when doubt enters in very interesting. They come at different times and in different circumstances and usually ending in a rationalization for either triumph or failure without trying. The lesson I take away is much like a quote many have heard that says you cannot make the shot if you don't take the shot. It is in the taking of the shot where learning occurs.

Those were my only miles for the week. On Tuesday, my throat starting getting sore and by Wednesday I had the flu. I trudged through work on Thursday and by Friday I was starting to feel better. Rather than try my luck on a Saturday morning ride in rain and wind, I opted for more stable weather indoors in a warm bed.

We headed out to Craig's game in Portland. The weather broke for his game with only a slight breeze. The team played well as did Craig. He had 9 carries for 31 yards. He continues to be the short yardage back. He went 4 for 5 on short yardage carries getting the first down. The one he did not make it on was a 4th and 5. He got 4 1/2 yards but not the five but the beauty was in the trying. He could see the marker and accelerated towards it, getting hit by several defenders as he reached out, trying to get the ball across the line. On another carry, he got past the line, side stepped a backer, took a hit by the safety who clamped on to him, a backer came over to help, then another defender, and another, and another, and finally then going down. Six tough yards that brought cheers from the team and crowd. On another carry, once through the line, he saw a gap between the backers and sprinted between them only to find the safety filling the gap. Whap! You could hear the contact. Both went down and bounced right back up - a good hit on a good run. On a carry before the half, from the five, he got to the end zone but the line judge could not see the ball crossing the end line to call the touchdown before he was pushed back. If there had been replay, the call would have been overturned. It was a good day on the field for Craig and it was fun to watch.

This week marks my final push to meet the second of my two goals from the beginning of the year - to get my weight down. I am stuck at 205 and want to get under 200. In order to do that, I am going to start a core workout session with some running twice a week. As the weather has turned to typical fall Oregon weather, more indoor time will be necessary to make this happen. Only 500 more miles to 5K....