The Inevitable Title Change

Come on, people, we all knew it was coming.

I am now offn'runningn'Riding in GSO.

In fact, I am riding much more than I am running.

This isn't too terribly surprising, given that I become extremely enthusiastic extremely quickly about things I'm into.

What is surprising? That I'm as into it as I am.

Running, I felt, was my thing. My escape, my long term future expression of myself as an athlete. After my marathon, I had plans for faster marathons, speed drills, interval training, even attending a marathon camp to kick start my training.

Of course, I had plans for speed drills, interval training, etc, before the marathon also. I just never wound up doing it. Why? Because speed drills and interval training are no fun. Running at a nice easy pace while chatting with your friends? Going out for a run on the trails, experiencing the outdoors at your own pace? Fun.

When given a choice, I almost always opt for Fun over No Fun.

The downside of this fact as related to running is that while I no doubt got stronger, and could run for longer distances, I never pushed myself in any other way than longer distances. Because try as I might, I can't, and never could, push myself.

Until now.

I like to train on the bike. I like the feeling of getting stronger, trying to stay with a group that rides slightly faster than I do, mashing up hills in the biggest ring on a training ride while my "coach"/ride organizer encourages me to push harder. Harder, faster, stronger. I feel like I demon. I feel like a beast.

And I love that feeling.

The best part? It's still not about competition with anyone but myself. Yes, my co-riders push me to higher levels, and inspire me to ride up rather than ride down, but not every ride needs to be balls-to-the-wall. I also love coasting along with my girlfriends, winding our way through long epic rides at our own pace. There is balance.

With running, I could never find that balance.

Fortunately for me, my laissez faire running style need not be maligned, as it fits in perfectly with my riding. I couldn't do both all out hard core and stay sane. For the summer at least, I will enjoy training and testing my mettle with the bike, and I will enjoy tootling along the trails at my own pace.

And so, off we go, running and riding and enjoying it all.