Storm Chasers

I went to Spin90 class tonight despite a weather forecast showing a chance of severe thunderstorms.  As I pulled into the parking lot, John and Robb were comparing radar reports.  I gathered that the storm was far enough away to satisfy them that we could get class in.

As the group surrounded John, he explained the route for the day.  Everything was about being close to the cars in case the storm came in quicker than we expected.  We started with a warm-up ride up and down Race Rd.  Then we did the Hanover Rd loop...which starts with a climb.  It's not an unusually hard climb, but right now I'm not in climbing shape...so I was pretty nervous.

On the warm up I focused on spinning my legs and really getting the blood flowing.  As we made the turn to start the loop, Robb and one of the students (Beth) were right with me.  Robb talked us through the gear shifts and reminded us to breathe.  As we hit the steep incline at the top, I pulled away from Beth.  My legs were screaming.  Robb kept pushing me to keep on my cadence.  I crested the hill and shifted into a harder gear.  Robb yelled towards me to do an active recovery, then he dropped back to get Beth. 

I finally made it to the circle where the fast riders were circling and waiting for the slower riders.  I was about in the middle of the group.  I had to do a few circles waiting for the riders behind me.  Robb and Beth both told me that Robb had made me a target and challenged Beth to go get me.  I laughed and said I was just trying to survive at that point!

We rode down Hanover Rd to the end of Race Rd.  John thought we could get in 2 time trials before the storm came.  So in typical time trial fashion, he sent off the slower riders.  He kept forgetting me.  He didn't send me until right before the really fast group!  As I started, Robb said "Karen's with the strong riders!"  I yelled back "that was a mistake!" 

But in my mind, I convinced myself that I was going to show John that it wasn't a mistake.  I passed the first rider in about 30 seconds.  I set my sights on the next one.  I couldn't tell you about my speed or cadence.  I didn't look at my computer once.  I just looked at the back of the rider in front of me.  John, Robb and one other guy flew by me in a pace line about halfway down the road.  It didn't phase me...I kept focused on the rider in front of me.  By the end of the road, I had passed everyone except 2 riders!  I was pretty impressed with myself.

The way back down Race Rd was supposed to be a recovery ride.  But Robb pulled up next to me and I ended up pushing it a bit to keep up with him while we chatted.  I really didn't think I had another time trial in my legs.  I was pretty spent.  But I knew that as soon as we started, I would get competitive again.

Sure enough, we took off and I was chasing down the rider in front of me again.  Even though I had very little left in my legs, I was going on pure determination.  I wasn't going to look bad after that first time trial.

As we pulled into to parking lot, we heard a clap of thunder in the distance.  Just in time!  What a good workout...physically and mentally!  And the rain held off for us!