After training and racing my fourth Ironman distance race, I started to get burned out. Perhaps it was too many long sessions without a real good break, or maybe it was just boredom with the swim, bike, run routine. Whichever, I decided it was time to change my routine a bit by buying an inexpensive mountain bike and do some off road riding. I envisioned leisurely riding through the shaded woods, hearing birds chirping, and easily pedaling up and down slight inclines with minimal effort.
After excessive evaluation, I purchased a Schwinn Protocol 1.0 from the local discount retailer and head to the “Ant Hills” of Terry Hershey Park. I find the trail head just off Eldridge and coast into the trees. Uh-oh! I think to myself, “Who put all these rocks and roots along the trail?” And, “Geez, don’t they maintain this thing? How am I supposed to go up that hill with all those ruts in the way?”
After a while, I’m doing more pushing and pulling my bike than actual riding. I’m thinking to myself some more, “Can anyone actually ride on this stuff?” Just as I again dismount to push my bike up a small, steep hill, another guy smoothly zooms past me while looking very relaxed. He made it look so easy!
Since that day I’ve continued to try to enhance my mountain biking skills. I’m still not fast, nor relaxed. Just this past weekend I was able to ride over terrain that I was originally pushing/pulling my bike over; not with ease, but with tremendous effort, concentration, and focus. Mountain biking ain’t easy.
Train safe!
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I may have to give mtn biking a try... although the idea of a new set of things to purchase makes me cringe a bit : )
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