So Very Dark

Man, it has been so very dark at 6:15 am lately! The shift back to standard time just can't come soon enough in my opinion, although I'm sure those who do all their training in the evenings have a different take on that. Despite the darkness we had nearly twenty riders on the long levee ride today. That, combined with the darkness and unlit oncoming riders and runners, made the first ten miles rather stressful. At least the strong winds we've had all week have finally died down, so the paceline wasn't spread all the way across the bike path most of the time. Toward the end of the ride, Donald and Russell, along with VJ, started ramping up the pace as if there was a finish line coming up. At least that finally got my heart rate up a bit. I was feeling kind of unmotivated anyway. I think it's a seasonal thing because lately I've been going through a "hungry phase" and feeling generally sluggish as if I were preparing to hibernate.

The other thing that happens a lot this time of year is that riders start showing up a little late. Today we were already well under way when suddenly a bright light appeared from behind, illuminating everyone in the pack. I knew immediately it had to be Brady with his super-bright helmet light. It's so bright that when he's at the back of the group the reflection off the riders actually makes it harder to see what's up the road! Today's ride seemed kind of fast, speed-wise, but it didn't really feel all that hard. I guess the lack of wind made it easy to draft. I think I probably went ten miles at one point before I finally made it up to the front of the paceline to take a pull.

Gary, up in Jackson, is thinking about putting on some Cyclocross races this winter and has been polling the local riders to try and determine if there's enough interest. There seems to be interest not only from the LAMBRA riders, but also from Alabama and even Tennessee, so I hope he gives it a try. I suppose I could always set up the old Pennine as a 'cross bike in a pinch. I haven't done a 'cross race in at least ten years but the memory of the full-bore, lung-searing, leg-burning effort still seems pretty fresh in my mind. The other thing I remember is that I really needed longer legs to get over those damned barriers. Regardless, these things do provide some good intensity to break up the usual monotony of winter training. I'm also looking forward to getting our long winter training rides going again some time in November. I'll probably miss one or two that month, because of travel and because The Wife is planning on taking us all to the land of Micky around Thanksgiving.

So I've been gradually adjusting to the new office and new routine. My morning ride down Lowerline Street is quiet and sedate, and even at my slowest commuting speed it only takes fifteen minutes. I'm sure I could make it to work in under ten minutes if I really wanted to, which I don't. On Tuesday there is a Farmer's Market right here in the parking lot, so I got to pick up something interesting for lunch. Otherwise, though, lunch is a bit of a problem, so yesterday I rode down to Whole Foods (again) and stocked up on bread, peanut butter, tuna and cheese (we have a 'fridge at the office). That should hold me for maybe a week, although the fact that my office is directly across the hall from the refrigerator might result in some unplanned impulse eating!

Lately, after work, we've been helping the Sister-in-Law get her house in order. She's got about twice as much furniture as will actually fit, so it's been kind of difficult deciding what will work where and moving stuff around. Our neighbor gave her a big entertainment center kind of armoire which they needed to get out of their house, so guess where it is now? Yep. The Basement. One thing I've discovered is that empty space never stays empty very long and usually keeps filling up until the limit is reached. Anyway, tonight we're going out to the annual Reds, Whites and Blues event at City Park. "200 wines, 11 restaurants, and live entertainment." The only downside is that it only runs from 6 - 9 pm. That works out to more than one wine per minute, right? I'm gonna need two glasses.....