Cowbells are not far away

I round the corner, Pilot Butte comes into view. Streaks of sunlight dive through the high-hanging cloud cover. The days are getting shorter, it is August. Summer remains, but the morning air is cooler than it was a month ago. Armwarmers stuffed into my jersey pocket is a reminded of just how early I left the house. I am headed home after my AM set of intervals. It is Wednesday. Wednesdays are double days. Tonight’s Central Oregon Crit is the last one of the series and this will be followed by the first Sunnyside Cyclocross practice of the season. Fitting to move from fast asphalt and tight corners to grass, barriers and the elusive goal of eliminating my stutter step in the same evening.

Exactly four months until Cyclocross Nationals. Three weeks until the first Thrilla Cross Race. 1 month until Starcross. 7 weeks until Alpenrose, the first race in the Cross Crusade series. Equipped with a Cycleops Power Tap and some directed training, I am hopeful that my efforts will result in reward come December. Mud, snow, and sloppy run-ups are what my thoughts are filled with lately. Visualizing the smooth, effortless transition from bike to foot to bike again displayed by some of the country’s best; Katie Comptin, Ryan Trebon, Wendy Simms, Barry Wicks. If I can look half as graceful while remounting after a 6-pack of barriers, covered in mud, I will be more than pleased.

I am not letting you off that easy.

Months ago, you asked for motivation. You were looking for a pep talk; words of encouragement that would get you out the door and in the saddle.

The responses were overwhelming, potentially slowing down the facebook server for a brief moment – HS, get after it.

You have an unbelievable support network, amazing friends, and a strong will. You want to ride, to train, to race. You love the mud, the cow bells, the pain, the reward. You love Forest Park in the rain and a strong shot of whiskey or a good cup of coffee when the pedals stop turning. I don't know you well, but I know you well enough to put my foot down.
Now it my turn to say something… to respond to this passive solicitation for a good slap across the face:

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that my random acts of fitness may be all I can get out of myself for a few years. It’s not that I’m giving up, it’s more like I’m calming down.

I am not letting you off that easy.

Everyday I struggle to fit it all in. Work, training, relationships, life. It isn't easy. I have the occasional break down. We all do. But some how we do it. Why? Because it is a part of who we are. A friend of mine calls it Bike Disease. My mother calls it addiction. I like to call it passion – the thing that fuels you and gets you out of bed in the morning. Whether you like it or not, it is in you.

So here is your wake up call.

Don't calm down, get after it.
Don't just settle, charge.
If you want it, make it happen.

Come October 4th, when we all line up, I want to see you there. Smiling and ready for another season of beautiful cross.