The Gray Days

There was a moment in the 2010 Tour de France when the yellow jersey wearer, Andy Shleck,  dropped a chain and all but lost the race when Alberto Contador rode away from him as he came to a standstill on the side of a mountain. I remember the look of complete hopelessness on Andy's face as his dream of winning the Tour rode away. The moment is now refereed to as "Chain-gate"

When Andy finished the stage he had an emotional interview that ended with him saying the legendary line "My stomach is full of anger, I want to take my revenge". Whether of not he actually took revenge (He didn't) Doesn't matter. I was an impressionable 14 year old when I heard that quote and it has stuck to me ever since. 

The days when I feel down on myself or hear the doubters I let that anger turn into incentive to prove them wrong. Is this healthy? Probably not but it is working right now so don't fix what ain't broken. 

Anyways, my training is on the right track for the most part despite a week off to travel to Orlando for an experiential education conference. Leaving the 90 degree weather of Florida and arriving to single digit temperatures and a foot of snow in Michigan was quite the shock. 

With the snow on the ground outdoor riding days are a bit limited but once some of the ice melts ill be out grinding on snow-packed gravel roads. In the mean time XC  skiing will start up in a few weeks and this will be my main form of training for the months leading up to the Arizona Trail Race. 

I have felt the doubters closing in on me a bit more this month and I am using all of that doubt to fuel my drive. I want nothing more than to prove myself and others wrong and get this damn record!