Frustration

I, as I'm sure many other riders do, have a tough time as the weather cools to stay motivated for training. This fall has been just like the past few - the Manastash Metric finishes and the number of rides a week decreases. I can feel the fitness starting to slip away like and ice cube slowly melting in the kitchen sink.

This year I was determined to not let my fitness level drop as quickly as years past. I've worked hard for the conditioning since 2007 but there's always that little drop off during the winter, regardless of how much time is spent on the indoor trainer, that makes those first few rides in the spring some of the toughest to endure. The legs tire quickly with the added resistance of the road and wind and the lungs are trying to adjust to working harder with cooler air.

Determination and goals only go so far sometimes. This past week brought rib injury which has brought all movement (and exercise) to a halt. This is one of the most painful and demoralizing injuries I've had. My philosophy in life is there's got to be a reason for everything. I'm not sure what the reason is now but maybe it's a chance to let some of the other nagging injuries that invade a 46 year old body to heal.

There will undoubtedly be some hard work once I can get back on the bike and in the gym. At least the motivation is there as I anxiously wait.