I’m not much of a sleeper; it’s not that I dislike sleeping, I just don’t for some odd reason, which makes working at night, and training during the day/night, exhausting. My colleague so eloquently brought it to my attention last night as she said, “You look like sh-t, you need to sleep more.” But after years of this, my body has somewhat learnt how to function on short amounts of sleep. When I do doze off, I rarely dream. And, I think I was slightly alarmed waking up today after having the most vivid dreams I’ve had in a very long time. Undoubtably, you could guess what the dreams were about: biking. I have a feeling this sport has been on my mind too much. Okay, the constant looking at Cervélo’s and Scott’s new bikes, and possibly the next addition to the Geuss household probably had something to do with why bicycles were present in my REM sleep.
The last dream I about biking involved Tim Robbins and Lance Armstrong. Why I remember that, well, first of all, who dreams of those two people together on a ride in Luxembourg? Second of all, who dreams of Tim Robbins getting mad at Lance for his amazingly awesome ride, and Armstrong who has cycled in Luxembourg, needing directions from an already directionally challenged individual like myself? I do.
This dream, however, took place in New Paltz/ Kingston, and involved: my coach, iPhones, my bike, bike stores (pretty much a combination of the store where I got my bike from, the Bicycle Depot in New Paltz, and a store back home), Shimano Tri cycling shoes (obviously if my coach says I need them in my dream, I need them in real life), and fellow crazy cyclists. I think it is safe to say I’m somewhat scared/nervous/terrified of this race in June after being out for a couple long rides and realizing my workouts on the trainer did squat for me. Well, maybe cardiovascular wise, it kept me in shape. But, in terms of hills which Mooseman is known to have on its bike course (and came up in a conversation with my coach the night before the dream of mine), the trainer did nothing for me.
Ohh the things I learn.
Somewhere in Columbia County, looking at the Catskill Mountains
I did, however, get out for a fantastic ride today–all thanks to my coach of course, who suggested the route to me. After three nights of hell at work (remember that post I wrote about what I love and hate about my profession? I think I’ve come up with more things I hate about it), I woke up today excited because the snow is melting and I think spring is approaching the tundra of New York, finally. And, I can honestly say, the ride made up for the crappy nights at work.
It was perfect. No chain issues. No flat. There were hills (what you go down you need to go back up), and my thighs were angry at me. But it was sunny. Grass could be seen. I had feeling in my hands and feet for the majority of the ride. I didn’t get lost. Endorphins were released, and much appreciated. The last couple rides I’ve had have been miserable, because I was so cold. This, I enjoyed.
There is no better feeling than just being and riding in the present. Not being consumed with the past, or what happened hours ago, or concerned about what the future will bring. Concentrated on the stretch of road lying before your bike and only that; breathing in the crisp, fresh air; the world around you ceases to exist for those few precious hours you are out. You’re at peace. You have the ability to be out there. And when you return, fatigued, with that grin across your face, you are reminded of how awesome life is.
A Rendezvous with Sneakers 