Humbled!

My first post I mentioned that I didn't want to say too much about my good day because the sport can be very humbling. It didn't take too long for humble to raise it's ugly head. Last Thursday on the same pack ride, I got destroyed by some of the same riders. This time it was on the easy flat section heading back to Green Bay. I wasn't feeling very well on the long climb and was slower than I've been for a few weeks. I'll attribute that to more long hours, but I'm not too worried because I'll start my taper in the next week and should have time to get more rest and do some peaking intervals. But on the flats? We turned into the wind and I had just gotten done pulling the group and had had a few minutes rest. The fast guys must have been feeling especially frisky. 26 mph into a stiff wind. I hung in there on the first attack and stayed attached to the pack. Then 17 mph, and then another attack. I was soooo not with them. Very humbling.

These rides are great because they push you when you may not feel like being pushed and get you out of your comfort zone big time. That's the competitive aspect kicking in, and while I don't think it's really the best training because it violates the "always have a specific training goal" rule, it still is helpful because the competition pushes you where you might not go when dealing with only your own will power. That is the benefit of group activity. Throw in the social aspect that pack rides provide (when not attacking you ride so close that conversation is easy) and it is a great part of any training program.