Keeping Perspective

Philip Rotz, 5 February 2010

About Philip Rotz

It's just over five weeks until the Argus. The hourglass' sand is flying fast. Too fast.

Week 7 has been both frustrating and boring. My work responsibilities this week and next week choke out about 15 hours from my day. I am trying to hit the stationary trainer set up on the back porch as much as possible to keep some activity, but I haven't been able to follow the programme to the letter.

Riding in one place is not the most fun I've ever had, although it can be a fun place to watch a thunderstorm roll in. Maybe I'll watch some movies on my laptop next week to ease my mind's restlessness on the trainer.

This month is really important for the race prep, but I found myself taking that a little too seriously. I came to recognize that I resented the work schedule that left me neither morning nor evening daylight to ride and put that frustration onto the folks around me. My partner's patience was tested this week. Not only was I hardly home, but when I was, I was often in a sour mood over not having been able to complete the training programme as written.

Alas, the same circumstances persist for one more week. I'll be looking for ways I can improve my adherence to the programme amid the challenges, but I'll really be focusing on not letting my training status make me a bear around those I love.

It is, after all, just a race. My relationships need to run well beyond March 14.