Empowerment

Today was one of those days where I was tired from lack of sleep the past couple of nights - and debated like a VP nomination on whether or not to get out for a ride. Sometimes you just need to buck up. And buck up I did. On the schedule - 10 x 3-5 minute tempo hill climbs. Something mellow, not a power climb, but a nice steady grinder. I headed into Ballard to 28th after a quick hot lap by Golden Gardens - and then started the insanity. The first 5 were easy - but then the little voice of doubt and reason came into my head. "Why continue? What are you doing this for? No one would know - your powertap isn't working..." Blah. Blah blah.

But as I listened to the music on Ryan's shuffle (an eclectic mix of Spearhead, Blue Scholars, Death Cab, Built to Spill etc), I got motivated. I thought of him - the way he would get into a rhythm and grind up a hill. The next thing I know I'm getting after it with a fire and intensity I haven't felt in a while. And it felt good, real good. On the tenth interval a smile of satisfaction came across my face - and knowing that the suffering I put in now will pay dividends in the season to come... so look out!

But oh - you don't even know half the suffering I'm storing up for this next season.