The Drop

Woke up this morning a little tired as the alarm sounded off. I broke one of my rules and checked that alert from my bank. Got to get up and out of bed so I can enjoy my ride, or it will never happen. I’m not sure if you are a morning person or a night person, but I know my personal time has to happen first thing in the morning, before the day takes over.

Longs Peak in the distance

I have been on a bit of a streak lately and I have been riding six days a week for the past three weeks. I feel great. At 6AM, there are never too many people out on the road, even in Boulder. Today, I happened to latch on behind a guy who looked a few years older than me. I caught him on the incline as I took a swig of water. As we went up the hill, I found another gear and passed him.

Just as I was patting myself on the back and marveling at my new level of fitness, the same guy passes me, for good. As I crested the hill, I could see that he was widening the gap between us.

Our natural instinct is to rationalize all of it. He had a fancy carbon fiber bike with carbon wheels. I didn’t eat breakfast. He probably has more time to do hills than me. It’s got to be the bike. Wait, his bike or my bike?

Top of the col

There is always someone faster than you out there. There is always someone who is willing to work harder than you. You are not always at your best. And that is what this human experience is all about. I gave it all I had on that hill this morning. So what can you do about it? I’m going to eat a dinner that is delicious and nutritious for me so I can recover. Tomorrow, I will wake up, get back on my bike, and push myself further than the day before. Challenge accepted!

Ready for what is important. Ready to present for my family, ready to go out and earn a day’s pay. Looking for that next ride up the hill.