Just a short one tonight... tired, have a lot going on, and there wasn't a whole lot to write about today. Well, almost nothing.
I don't run Sunday mornings for the time being because it's the only day of the week I can sleep in. I feel like I need at least one, so I'm taking it. Between running with the girls and working out with the guys it's challenging for this old guy. I need my beauty sleep.
So it wasn't until this afternoon before my workouts began. The plan was to swim at Kenray at 3, then ride afterward, probably from Kenray to Norman Station. That would put us between 25-30 miles, a good brick. The problem was the weather. Almost as soon as it was time to head to the lake, storm cells began to explode all over the area. I seriously doubted we'd be able to swim, but I went anyway.
Roy, Scott, Allen, Rand, Jimmy, and I all showed, all but Scott swam. The storms stayed just far enough away for us to safely do it, which I attribute completely to the combined luck of Allen and Jimmy. It's like having two lucky rabbit's feet. We all wound up swimming three laps, except Allen (who went two).
This is where I wish to insert how much I respect Allen. A year ago this day would have been completely impossible. I've taught swimming since I was 14 - I know scared when I see it, and Allen was terrified of swimming when he started. I don't say that to mock him at all, actually quite the reverse. For him to overcome that fear and do what he's done is a testament to his resolve to accomplish a goal. I've seen this resolve in him over and over, and he's done things he's had no right and no hope doing simply because of his dogged determination.
Allen went skydiving yesterday. He's never been up before, and I kidded him a bit about that first step, and asked him if it was hard. I've done it before, and I had no qualms whatsoever. I am also an ultralight pilot, so the height thing was nothing to me. Which is exactly why it wasn't a daredevil stunt for me. It was fun, and I'd certainly do it again if it were cheaper, but scary? Not a bit.
Allen wore his Garmin and heart rate monitor throughout the experience. It's funny data to analyze, especially near the end when he jumped. Leisa remarked, "His heart rate only went into the 130's..." Only. ONLY?! Listen, if you are effectively sitting in a chair and your heart rate suddenly jumps into the 130's... well, something big happened. Allen is a trained athlete, which means his resting heart rate is likely in the 50's. He was basically staying in the 70's until the big moment. 60-beat jump in pulse? That's a big deal.
Allen didn't lie to me - he said it was scary. And he did it anyway. That's what brave is. Facing your fear and going through with something that scares the crap out of you is brave. Allen and I have both jumped from a plane, but he was the brave one. We have both swum in a lake, but he's the brave one. Gotta respect that.
We were forced to forego the ride at Kenray because the storm cells were all around. However, as we returned to town it became obvious the cells were shrinking, and we might in fact be able to ride after all. So Jimmy, Roy, and Scott rode to my house, we headed to Industrial for a hill repeat workout, and Rand joined us on course. In the end we all got about 20 miles in, and it wound up being a beautiful evening to boot. Go figure.
Tomorrow I run with the girls. I'll probably add another run in the afternoon, a pattern that has worked for me thus far this summer. A ride? We'll have to see.
I don't run Sunday mornings for the time being because it's the only day of the week I can sleep in. I feel like I need at least one, so I'm taking it. Between running with the girls and working out with the guys it's challenging for this old guy. I need my beauty sleep.
So it wasn't until this afternoon before my workouts began. The plan was to swim at Kenray at 3, then ride afterward, probably from Kenray to Norman Station. That would put us between 25-30 miles, a good brick. The problem was the weather. Almost as soon as it was time to head to the lake, storm cells began to explode all over the area. I seriously doubted we'd be able to swim, but I went anyway.
Roy, Scott, Allen, Rand, Jimmy, and I all showed, all but Scott swam. The storms stayed just far enough away for us to safely do it, which I attribute completely to the combined luck of Allen and Jimmy. It's like having two lucky rabbit's feet. We all wound up swimming three laps, except Allen (who went two).
This is where I wish to insert how much I respect Allen. A year ago this day would have been completely impossible. I've taught swimming since I was 14 - I know scared when I see it, and Allen was terrified of swimming when he started. I don't say that to mock him at all, actually quite the reverse. For him to overcome that fear and do what he's done is a testament to his resolve to accomplish a goal. I've seen this resolve in him over and over, and he's done things he's had no right and no hope doing simply because of his dogged determination.
Allen went skydiving yesterday. He's never been up before, and I kidded him a bit about that first step, and asked him if it was hard. I've done it before, and I had no qualms whatsoever. I am also an ultralight pilot, so the height thing was nothing to me. Which is exactly why it wasn't a daredevil stunt for me. It was fun, and I'd certainly do it again if it were cheaper, but scary? Not a bit.
Allen wore his Garmin and heart rate monitor throughout the experience. It's funny data to analyze, especially near the end when he jumped. Leisa remarked, "His heart rate only went into the 130's..." Only. ONLY?! Listen, if you are effectively sitting in a chair and your heart rate suddenly jumps into the 130's... well, something big happened. Allen is a trained athlete, which means his resting heart rate is likely in the 50's. He was basically staying in the 70's until the big moment. 60-beat jump in pulse? That's a big deal.
Allen didn't lie to me - he said it was scary. And he did it anyway. That's what brave is. Facing your fear and going through with something that scares the crap out of you is brave. Allen and I have both jumped from a plane, but he was the brave one. We have both swum in a lake, but he's the brave one. Gotta respect that.
We were forced to forego the ride at Kenray because the storm cells were all around. However, as we returned to town it became obvious the cells were shrinking, and we might in fact be able to ride after all. So Jimmy, Roy, and Scott rode to my house, we headed to Industrial for a hill repeat workout, and Rand joined us on course. In the end we all got about 20 miles in, and it wound up being a beautiful evening to boot. Go figure.
Tomorrow I run with the girls. I'll probably add another run in the afternoon, a pattern that has worked for me thus far this summer. A ride? We'll have to see.
The agreed upon payment for this is in the mail. Thanks.
ReplyDelete