With the cold wind blowing outside I found myself looking longingly at my bike this week. I stared and sneezed. I coughed. But I continued to look with eager anticipation of the upcoming training I will embark upon to ride 40 miles this spring on a beautiful Saturday morning on the beach.
The eagerness is beginning to build, but as I fight the headaches and fatigue which comes along with a winter cold, it makes me think I may be crazy. In reality, I ride both for fun and for a cause.
As I stare at my bike, I’m reminded of the thrill of ‘clicking’ into my pedals, which makes me ride harder and faster. I think of listening to Rocky’s Theme as I glide down the hill of Whiting Circle, connecting to the Blackwater Heritage Trail and tasting the salt from my sweat.
I’m sure all athletes know the exhilaration I’m writing about although, in reality, I’m not a true sportsperson. I’m just learning what it means to have sweat stains on my tee shirt. But I have to get back in the saddle. Cough. I must get over this cold. Sniff.
Of course, there’s a cycling trainer sitting in my family room, just waiting to be used for and excellent indoor riding experience, but it does not come close to the thrill of the wind on my face and the possibility of a squirrel or rabbit jumping in front of me. It’s boring. The adventurous spirit in me causes me to yawn at the possibility of hooking up my bike to the contraption. To ride the thing I need inspirational music like “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.
Nothing inspires like Rocky training music.
The other cycling trainer in my house is my husband who is constantly asking me when and if I will begin our rigorous preparation regime to be ready for the Tour de Cure.
Riding for a cure for diabetes pushes me forward to train for the event even without Dan’s motivation. It’s not about my speed, cadence or time during the ride. It’s about finding a cure for a disease that plagues 28 million Americans. It’s about the freedom to live without a chronic condition which can cause people to loose a limb, kidney or vision. People like me.
I have three months to train and I want to better my time from last year. I want to finish the ride and try to make a difference. I want the cool jersey too.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Getting strong now