photo 1 – post-crash, adjusting bike so I can CHASE (Feb 2008)
photo 2 – sprinting for the win after I made them chase me (amazingly, I’m the one using proper sprinting technique in the drops; however, I’m wearing geeky tri shoes; I’m wearing a cute red helmet; overall a win) (Mar 2008)

When you hear “chasing” what connotations does it bring?

For me, “chasing” immediately throws my mind to that painful yet exhilarating experience when I have been gapped in a bike race or on a hard group ride and have to ride as hard as possible (hopefully as part of a group) to catch back on. It’s the time I don’t look at my heart rate. It’s the time I count my pedal strokes (usually by 10 I’m back on… or shot off the back). This usually happens when:

1. Attack! Someone blazes from a few positions from the front, sprinting and going crazy hard and I just can’t get a wheel and jump in.
2. Acceleration number 5,6,7??? The triathlete in me has toasted the bike racer in me, and I can’t handle this next acceleration – I thought I was fine, but then, POOF, I’m off the back and chasing (or cooked and recovering, then chasing).
3. Crash or mechanical… chasing to get back on

SO, with that in mind, as I reflect on the last several months and say, “I feel like I’m chasing my fitness” it has a different connotation than just trying to get my fitness back. This year I have been humbled; I now have far more compassion for those who have been sidelined and have “come back”.

Although perspective gives me the insight to know that what I’ve experienced is really quite manageable as well as the understanding that there is something for me to learn, sometimes it stinks. Other times, it’s exciting – a new challenge.

What will be uncovered in the following 7 weeks: Has the chase burnt me out where I will let down and give in (I’ve been dropped) OR has the chase left me invigorated and confident (I caught back on)?

The journey these previous several months has been mentally challenging, in that CHASING takes a tremendous amount of focus, desire, determination, and strength. The intensity of a chase isn’t sustainable. In this scenario, the chase is long, arduous, and has no single outcome.

The pummeling setback when the chase ends and you are out of the race…
The surge of adrenaline and energy received when the chase ends and you have caught back on…

You never know what will happen next. That’s the excitement of living.