30 Miles and More Mud

With the Eco-Lonestar Race coming up on March 6th, we've all been putting in more miles (on bike, foot etc.) and more workouts to prepare for the race. Two weeks ago Bernice and I did the 211 Loop from Roger Solers and added in a little bit of Scenic Loop for a nice 35 mile ride. Last week Sebas and I rode out to Government Canyon from Solers. At GC we did about a 7 mile run/trek. When we finished we rode back to Solers. All in all it was about 25 miles worth of a workout. On both of those training days, the weather was actually really nice. Unfortunately for me, Ross, and Sebastian our workout yesterday didn't take place in the sunny 77 degree weather we had in San Antonio today (Sunday). Allow me to elaborate.

So yesterday at 8 a.m. I arrive at Solers to meet Ross and Sebastian for a longer version of the workout that Sebas and I did the week before. Conditions? Miserable. 45 degrees with drizzle. On the ride out to GC we were all getting hit with that wet, road grime mist the cars kick up as they pass you. Riding the pace line, every speck of mud off of Sebastian's tires ended up somewhere on my body, face or glasses to the point where I couldn't even really see. I've officially dubbed this look as being 'bedazzled' and it seems to be happening to all of us way more often than we'd like.

Once at GC we stepped off the bikes and put on our trail shoes for a nice little run/trek. GC is more rocks than anything and the combination of the relentless drizzle along with the mud made this a trek to remember. At some point in our 12 mile trek, 3 bikers passed us. These guys didn't really seem like the kind of guys that could or should be riding the trails in these conditions. And, as the 3rd guy passed by me, the gaping hole in his left knee combined with all of the blood on his shin only reinforced the fact that I had just silently judged them. Seriously, in my head I was like "You've got to be kidding me." I'll ride in a lot of conditions but wet, muddy and slippery rocks whisper really nasty things to me like, "broken hip....broken arm....broken collar bone"....none of which are the least bit appealing to me.

Anyway, around mile 7, the drizzle picked up even more and it seemed like every step we took only added an extra layer of mud and more weight to our shoes. We turned back for the bikes and Ross and I did our best to keep up with Sebas. Not an easy task since that boy is a jack rabbit.

Now, back at the bikes after the hike, the allure of a cheeseburger sparked a little bit of energy in us all. The sooner we got back, the sooner we could feast on a cheeseburger at Floore's Country Store. Nothing like food to motivate you.

Finally, after another heavy misting of road grime and a final push up what has become known as the 'hill of death', we coasted back to our vehicles. How I managed to be the only one of the 3 of us to NOT have a real change of clothes once we got back amazes me. I normally pack my gear like a chick...just so I have "options". Maybe jeans and flip flops. Maybe shorts. Maybe cargo pants. No luck. Just me...bedazzled with mud from head to toe. Oh well, I'm sure the folks at Floore's didn't mind that I basically used the sink in their bathroom as my own personal shower.

We all ordered and sat down exhausted. But after some sweet tea and one delicious cheeseburger, all was right with the world. I was tired, muddy, and just had one hell of a workout but it felt great. Thanks to Sebas and Ross for pushing me hard yesterday. Pain...it's how you know you're alive!