middle of the week!

Sunday 81K with Scott with the BRATs… again a C ride (the easiest), and the “coach” said I’m now ready to upgrade to a B ride, longer and with a faster pace than the C ride. Probably next Sunday it will be a B ride, if the coach is leading the B ride…. The plan is to use him as a “parachute” (his words…), so he can drive me safely at home in case of necessity… which is a nice thing to think, as we might be several kilometres from Bham, but it is a thing I’ve never thought about… Should I be scared? Nope….  Always on Sunday, meeting in Harborne, to de-brief the morning ride, the races and generally the week. A lot of BRATs raced on Sunday, and one BRAT guy won the Straford on Avon Sprint (59minutes) and that was amazing. I’m learning they don’t race just for fun, they race to win. There are people who race every single week, they just live for race, they are racing machines, and they win. Life and work is something is between training and races. The typical BRAT member is male, 30-35 years old, single and not married; with a nice job with which he can afford a nice bike and a nice kit, the races, the car and the travels to the races. Now I understand why the typical BRAT member is not married. There are exceptions. Younger people (I’m in this category…), girls (or better, super-girls), and some older people (than the typical BRAT member)…  and last (but not least) there are families. That is pretty amazing. There are at least 2 families where everybody is racing and involved in the club. Mum, Dad, son and daughter, cousins…  they are soo competitive, and they win!!! And they slot their life between training and races…

Today 10K races in the morning in the gym. It was really nice; I’m feeling well now, ready to start a new day. The only problem is waking up. Once I’m up it is ok, but waking up is a big problem. I have to set up at least 2 alarm clocks, one away from the bed, so I have to walk up to stop it. Olso on Sunday it is a pain in the ass waking up at 7.00am. I’m not a morning person, but it is nice to wake up early and slot some training in the morning. It is productive, and I feel good for the rest of the day. I just don’t want to go outside the bed! I’m not a morning person.

Tonight BRAT 10K run at the Vale, as every Wednesday. Tomorrow open water swim at the Bittell Reservoir in Barnt Green. And I really look forward to it!! I’ll attempt the whole lake swim, if I can, and I’m sure I’ll find somebody who is willing to swim with me.