New Theme?

Seems as how this was supposed to be a blog about indoor cycle training, either using the RCVman (CompuTrainer Real Course Videos) platform or the PowerBarn, our small but pesky boutique multi-rider facility (located on the equally small but pesky Bainbridge Island, WA), as point of focus, I will make a concentrated effort today to stay on-point.

This despite the drama simultaneously radiating from so many other battle zones. At least we can call this a DMZ. For now.

In the good old days of my indoor cycling career, Monday mornings at 0530 were all mine. There was something especially sinister about starting a new week when the prior one was just concluding. Nothing like adding insult to injury we used to say, ready or not here we go. After my self imposed six month sabbatical last year, when distraction and depression reached critical emotional mass and I had to take some time off to heal, my return to Monday was moved to the rather mundane 0845. Almost half the day already gone. Marines have already taken the beach and have set up their tents by then. As much as I miss the early starts, the new time is growing on me. A new challenge, new faces, new opportunities.

This morning we did a simple ascending progression protocol. It was fun and although I was a touch slow with my initial delivery, by the time we have developed flow, frequency and some endorphin fueled firepower, we were, as the proverbial well-oiled machine, firing on all cylinders. Here are the parameters and a few of the tunes that accompanied the set.

10 minute warm up (present protocol) Afro Celts (feat Peter Gabriel) When You’re Falling
.30 seconds seated @ 16 Beatles, Got to Get You into My Life
.30 seconds standing @ 16, Jackson Browne, Walking Slow
.30 seconds recovery @ 7/120, Seal, Amazing
Repeat for .45 seconds, Os Gringos, Candy Coated Nightmare
Repeat for one minute, Lucinda Williams, Real Love
Repeat for two minutes, INXS, Don’t Change
Last set back to opening .30, Pete Yorn, I’m Not the One
Warm down, stretch and done. Stevie Wonder, Higher Ground

Obviously there was more music in there to fill the hour session, but I trust you get the musical idea.

It was a wonderful way to temporarily distance ourselves from the turmoil that has become the American norm. A great way to burn some calories and bring back the joy, beauty and truth we remember, and a fabulous road to traverse in our relentless quest of finding inner peace.

Maybe THAT should be the blog theme.