Heavy Breathing - That's How I Rolled

As "punishment" for not riding 40+ miles on my commute to work, I usually compensate by riding quickly. I may target a Strava segment or two, and generally it's a non Instagram day, but there is a purpose. And that goal of course is fitness.

My training is not well rounded off the bike. A cyclist nirvana includes yoga, a vegan diet, and a pro trainer. vegan will never happen but I do have a basic plan on the road. Generally I ride a 4 week cycle, ramping up my distances as the week progresses and then resting at the start of week one. And if I miss a long day, well that's when my speed days come into play, or perhaps some repeats on the Headlands.

Back to this morning's ride I was passed by a cyclist at the start of Sausalito. He quickly gapped me while I was trying to figure him out. He had a cross bike of sorts but it had deep rims for speed - so he likely races. But he also had a single small pannier. Really? Putting one of those on your bike is akin to when I wear mtb shorts on my Specialized Roubaix. If you believe the shorts then you haven't looked closely enough at the bike. But a tell tale giveaway is a rider who wears the bare minimum on a cold morning. They are usually super fit and not racing. They are just naturally fast. And that's when I got stuck at the red light.

Lights are forever when you have a target in mind. But I don't run them. It's not needed when in pursuit. If I'm faster, I'll catch the rider anyways. If I'm not, so be it. As all of Sausalito started a backup of cars at the light, it finally flicked to green as the weight of the world stared it down. 

I know the route into San Francisco very well. I also am very in tune with how my body feels. Basically I felt I was at 85-90 percent of my best. Meaning, I would try to catch the guy who I could no longer see. Another red light by the 7-11. Sigh it's just not happening. But this light senses my urgency and quickly turned green. 

I've been riding for close to 30 minutes now and the only sound I've heard is my own heavy breathing yet I haven't even hit a hill worth breathing for. Dam if I could only lose this spare tire I'd be riding even faster. Speed work does wonders on mental stability training as well. Your own mind is the biggest foe you will face time and time again. It knows your weaknesses and questions you relentlessly. You can't catch him. He's out of your league. Your backpack weighs nothing but your waistline is ridiculous. Scrawny calves aren't helping you. Sure you are rested but your tired even on the flats, what's wrong with you?

Ruthless. Of course I fight it all the way. If its all true then why am I still going? I finally round the corner after the preliminary climbs up to the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is where you can see your adversary as far as 200 yards away. It's a defining moment of the battle. And the rider was no where to be seen.

My shoulders immediately slouch but not in resignation. Instead, I'm super relaxed as I speed up my pace on the sloping road. Doing my best Chris Froome I loosely fling my bike forwards ensuring no one catches me from behind. On the bridge I finally see a cluster of red blinking lights ahead of me. A pack of cyclists, regulars who ride in together often. I quickly close on them by the North Tower and pass them all by mid span. A signal of disrespect maybe. Or a challenge perhaps. For when you pass a pack there's always an alpha lurking. And now, I'm the one being chased. He kept me within 100 yards. Stop signs kept us honest but at Chrissy Field it's game on.

So as the Ice Age characters tuck in while sledding down the ice track, I got as aero as I could and spin. There was no tailwind helping us out today but I quickly popped my rival. Dropped him cold for he was no where to be seen as I climbed past The Marina Safeway. I'm guessing he lost the battle within asking what's better - losing? Or hang back and ride with buddies again.

As I reached the corner of Vanness and North Point my original target surfaced for air. He was stuck at the stoplight waiting to cross. I caught him. Although I had given up on the thought of closing the target I never have up on riding to my full potential of the day. Good form on both of our counts for respecting the rules of the road.

I was still breathing heavy as I noticed he was slumped over his handlebars trying to catch his breath while sweat dripped down his forehead watering the pavement below him. A slight wry grin appeared on my face for I knew he was pushing himself to keep ahead. Victory was his. But I won the battle within my own mind. Maybe Friday I can finally get another century day in. Those days are simpler than speed work days. Trust me.