Saturday, February 15, 2014

Thoughts From the Trainer

It is snowing.  Again.  It seems the ground has been covered with a thick coat of white for months.  Accompanying the snow has been frigid air.  In a word, brutal.


It is Friday night, and I am on the trainer.  My plans for the evening had not originally included riding my bike.  I rode (on the trainer) this morning, and practiced yoga. I had been anticipating a lovely evening out. However, the "dusting" of snow which had been forecasted was slowly progressing into another five inches of the "lovely" white substance, putting a firm wrench into my plans. Another layer upon several previous layers of snow was piling up. The road conditions were terrible. I was bitterly disappointed to cancel, as I had looked forward to this evening all week.  

Perched in the saddle of my bike is typically my happy place. However, riding indoors has gotten tedious.  The bike, attached to the bright green trainer, has become the proverbial Road to Nowhere.  I sometimes have to laugh at how ironic it is to pedal furiously, yet literally not propel forward. Stuck at the starting line.  I repeat this process every day.  Crazy?  Perhaps, but the training will make me stronger which will translate to better riding this spring.  Soon...


My recent trip to Puerto Rico, and the 375 mile endurance ride in the hot climate, spoiled me.  It was a wonderful reprieve to ride for four days in the sunshine, no trainer in sight.  Several posts to come about this trip, which was the experience of a lifetime, to come.  They are in the works, so stay tuned.



Since returning to Indiana, we have suffered winter's wrath.  The powers that be are labeling this winter "the second snowiest on record".  Snow, which is so beautiful and peaceful, is not being enjoyed by anyone, especially the cyclists I know.  Even my kids, who enjoyed numerous snow days, are growing weary.

I've cursed the giant snow piles, scattered about town.  Including the 7ft tall pile in front of my house.  A few more turns of the snow plow on the cul-de-sac and the pile will dwarf the house itself.

As I settle into my intervals, my thoughts swirl.  I begin to laugh at the imagery of an adult woman silently cursing snow piles in the grocery store parking lot. It is rather silly. When I think of  all the serious things going on in my life and in the world, in the grand scheme of things a giant snow mound is quite insignificant.  Of course I would much rather be riding outside with the miles stretching behind me in the sunshine.  But today I still get to ride my bike. It is a privilege I embrace, even if it's on the trainer.  I'm healthy and lucky enough to be able to do so.

I mentally switched gears and instead of lamenting the snow and the fact that I was stuck indoors, I turned my thoughts to a more positive approach and took time to appreciate the positive things going on in my life.  I have some pretty amazing people surrounding me.  I'm healthy, and I'm growing spiritually and as an individual. Spring will come soon enough.

As my mind calmed, I let my legs spin and I wound down the ride with a smile on my face.  

I glanced outside at the snow covered street to see my lovely daughter shoveling the driveway (she must have gone outside while I was finishing on my rant-filled ride).  This, of course further softened my mood, and drew my attention to her beauty, as well as the serenity of the snow.  She had taken Frank, the dog outside with her, and he was unabashedly dashing around the snow, which added laughter to the scene.  I was immediately grateful



I am reminded that it is mid February and there are just a few weeks left in winter.  Spring is approaching, and I am looking forward to the day where I can pick up my green trainer, and unceremoniously place it in the storage closet in the basement where it will (hopefully) remain until December.

For now, and until the snow melts and the spring flowers begin to bloom, I will happily ride my bike.  It will be on the trainer, but soon....outside in the sunshine.

Peace, Out
xoxo

5 comments:

  1. Everywhere seems to be having freaky weather these days, you've got the snow and we've got the heavy rains, high winds and floods whilst another country is coping with excessive heat. What next?

    Like you, I'm looking forward to spring but not sure when it will rear is lovely head to greet us. Well, enjoy the snow as you train indoors for the time being. Have a lovely weekend.

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  2. As bad as this winter's been for Atlanta, I can only imagine how crazy it is in Indiana! Biking isn't part of my life, although i do have a spin bike, and after 45 minutes on there, I've had just about enough of being stuck at the finish line. What a contrast your pictures provide, from sunny Puerto Rico to your snowy neighborhood. That was really sweet of Kendall to shovel the driveway, too.

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  3. I know the feeling oh too well. I've spent every run for the last two weeks on a treadmill with absolutely no hope of getting outside. The "road to nowhere" is full of runners and triathletes right now. Hang in there, we'll be out there soon.

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  4. Love this post. Make the best of whatever the day brings. It's -6 right now in upstate NY, but the sky is a clear absolutely gorgeous lavender blue. There's always something to be glad about.

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  5. Snowing again here too, Michelle, and on top of the snow we already have on the ground. Way too cold and frigid here on the East Coast, yes brutal! I’m guessing that Indiana may have even had a worse winter than the East Coast. I like the way you turned the mood of being cooped up indoors into something positive! Fantastic about your trip to Puerto Rico. Nice photos of Kendall and Frank in the snow, and kudos to her for shoveling!

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