Road Trippin’ - Athlete Style
Since I didn’t really touch on the whole experience of our road trip to Duathlon Nationals, I’ll do so here. Most people think the life of an athlete is glamorous with chaffeurs and big busses and big steaks at every turn. Well I don’t want to ruin your mental image but most of it is a myth. The rockstar motto of "Sex, Drugs and Rock’n'Roll" isn’t something we really follow… We do talk about it a lot though!
On our trip we were all an excited group. The atmosphere with athletes is pretty good. It’s not unlike most hockey or soccer road trips. Just the "food of choice" are a little different. There was never talk about going to McDonalds on the way there. Just doesn’t happen. Even bakerys that would entice you to eat sweets were off limits. Basically being an athlete entails a lot of discipline. If it doesn’t have some wholewheat edge to it or if it ’s not a fruit or vegteable it isn’t even regarded as food. Pop? How about Gatorade or electrolytic drinks of all concoctions. Chips? I lick salt off my hand and then eat bread. Candy? Figs. Beer? Not until after your key race is done. This may mean weeks even months. It’s not the life for some, or maybe a lot, but these are sacrifices I am willing to make for the extra 5 seconds at the end of a race.
If you are in a multi-car caravan as we were , bring walkie talkies. There is nothing better than sharing a conversation over a 2-way radio. Asking each car about who would you rather be married to, Jessica Alba or Jennifer Garner? Or much dirtier questions which I don’t want to be sued over. It also makes the time fly by.
Competing in sports such as our’s is a little ironic. We own bikes that cost more than the cars we drive. I would rather get into a car accident and me get banged up than the bike I ride. Simply, my bike is my life. We wouldn’t think of leaving our bikes outside in the van during our stay in Parry Sound. Even though it would have been far more room freed up had they not been there. Our room was littered with sneakers, spandex, wheels and organic food. I pity the poor maids who had to clean our room.
One cool adventure which I had not done before was when we went past a ski resort outside of Edmunston, we talked about running up it on the way back. On Sunday coming back from Ottawa, Chris and I decided to go straight up the steepest part. It made for a punishing recovery run but what a view at the top! The grade was close to 25%. It was like climbing stairs at the top. Awesome. You don’t usually get those kind of crazy impulses by yourself but with someone else any weird scheme seems cool to do.
In the end though, getting there safe and sound is the main thing. Fun or no fun…. Right, who am I kidding?! It’s all about the adventure!
Until next time Happy Training!
Cliff
