Fit Family

Putting our training in perspective

This weekend our family took a mini-vacation to St. George, Utah. Aside from the city’s fascinating history (Brigham Young sent members of his church down here to colonize the city and defend it against what he felt was an impending federal invasion of Utah; one of our Mormon friends is a descendant of the original “colonists”), it is rich in visual scenery. Within a 30-minute drive is Zion National Park and a slew of other gorgeous sandstone meccas that are symbolic of the Southwest.

 

Driving through Virgin River Gorge on the way to St. George, Utah

St. George is also home to Snow Canyon State Park. Apart from the incredible red rock formations, the park also features a series ass-kicking series of climbs. You can check out a panorama at the park’s web site. The hill starts just out of frame on the interactive panorama. Naturally, my bike, El Lobo Gris, was coming along with the plan calling for me to sneak out early Saturday morning to test my fitness and mental tenacity on this route. The first, and last, time I was here a year ago, I had the following experience:

“The ride was fantastic with some gorgeous red rock scenery. It was getting a bit warm though and the big challenge was the nut kicker hill. I averaged 4 mph going up that hill and had to dismount three times. From the start to the top of that hill took me 50 minutes to cover a measly 7.4 miles. Once I exited the park, I topped out at 38 mph on the descents and took only 20 minutes to cover the remaining 10 miles.”

Needless to say, I was anxious to return and see how I had improved over the past 13 months.

When I woke up Saturday morning at our motel in St. George, all of my desire to challenge Snow Canyon evaporated when my daughters pleaded with me to go swimming with them at the motel pool. You see, living in Las Vegas, we’re in a desert…in case you didn’t know. Any chance we get to play in water that is not the urine-soaked municipal pool, is a highly treasured activity.

With work and night school, I haven’t had as much play time with my girls as I would have liked over the past six weeks.

Decision time: Make a much needed deposit in the bike training account or make a much needed deposit in the family account?

El Lobo stayed in the motel room and I went swimming with my girls.

As age-group athletes, I think we sometimes forget why we’re training in the first place. I would guesstimate that maybe five percent of us are actually training for some tangible goal such as turning pro. If you’re training for your livelihood, then you do what you have to do. In my case, one bike ride wasn’t going to make or break my fitness. People like me train for the mental and physical challenge. The race is not the end point, it is just one waypoint along the journey.

At times, I forget that.

It can be all too easy to get self-involved in endurance sports as we strive to streamline our performance.  

There are an endless number of races in my future. I only have one time around with my daughters to make the best memories possible.

As we were packing up later that morning, I had no regrets for missing my dance with Snow Canyon. The time with my daughters was precious. However, when no one was looking, I did take my bike for a lap around the motel parking lot. 

Find your edge and dance upon it.

hak