I battled with the wind...and the wind won

Jersey winds > Georgia winds... because...beach!

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Yesterday I had a 3-hour bike ride that, for the most part, was an epic war against the charged headwinds of the West Northwest. On these days, it's hard to get into aero position (for me, at least). All 110 pounds of me was getting blown all over the road. It took all of my power to simply move forward. My right contact blew out of my eye about 30 minutes into the ride. So if that's any indication for how ferocious the wind was...

A big part of triathlon is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. There are going to be days of wind, of rain, of 30 degree freeze-your-face-off, of 100 degrees melt-your-skin-off, of holy hell, I'm so hungry but I cannot stomach another gel...how am I going to make it through?

As much preparation as you put into it - eating well, packing your winter and summer wardrobe, going to bed early, waking up before the birds chirp, driving an hour North...sometimes nature throws everything at you and you've just got to deal. You have to work with the conditions you've been given.

So the wind, it became something I had to be with. I couldn't conquer it, I couldn't get around, over, or through it. I just had to be in it. Fight to be upward, fight to move forward.

These are the days where you really build your strength and your riding skills. I am admittedly not the strongest rider -- no where near where I want to be. I've made improvements - drastically - since I first started out 3 years ago on my then-new red Trek hybrid bike.

I'll never forget the first day I rolled up to cycle with a big local tri club. They all had these super fancy road or tri bikes with the aero helmets and clip shoes... and here I was, touting my new hybrid, thinking it was super cool. SMH. Boy was that defeating. I didn't even have a water bottle cage on my bike. I was wearing running shorts (read: ZERO padding) and running shoes. And I looked like such a no0b. Because I was.

It didn't deter me at all. I actually kept up really well first day, to their surprise.

Since then, obviously I've upgraded significantly to a tri bike with all the essentials, and I clip in, and I wear the correct apparel. But I'll never forget how I started.

I've only recently begun riding again with a large group, and at times it's both intimidating and also a little scary. I'm worried I'll run into them. Or they'll run into me. The last few years I would cycle with maximum 4 people. I liked it that way. I had my space. But I knew if I wanted to improve, I'd have to start getting out with the big groups and chase those fast few in the front of the pack.

We've been doing these sprints on the open road where we'll turn around quickly and go back out. This crew whips around with such ease, like they're just turning the corner on a velodrome. My turns are like that of a toddler trying to walk... awkward and staccato. It's a confidence thing. I know I could do it, I've just got to give myself the time (and space) for both practice and failure.

I was never taught how to properly ride. I just sort of figured it out, but there's so much room to grow, and that is where I'm going to be spending a lot of time...in the saddle, attacking whatever hills and winds come my way.

This morning, I had a 14 mile run. I woke up at 6:30 to 30 degree temps, and to a voice in my head saying, 'you know what? You'll be fine. It's just two hours of your life. You'll be happy you got it done now, and it will feel good after the first few miles.' And you know what? It actually did. I came to enjoy the chill in the air, and the beauty of a world not yet awake (except for the few other crazies out there on the trail, walking, running, cycling). And toward the end, there was the sun...ever-so-slowly peaking up to defrost the Earth.

Was this the best run ever? No. Was yesterday's cycle the best ever? Absolutely not. But I'm building. I'm enduring. I'm strengthening my resolve. And I have to say...I'm actually pretty proud of myself.

Last year, I'd shy away from these really cold days. I'd make excuses. I'd tell myself I'll go later when it's warmer...or...I'll just run on the treadmill. And sometimes I did. Sometimes I didn't.

The difference now is, I really want to crush my goals. I want to so badly that I'm not longer going to sabotage my potential because of nature's plans. The weather Gods are going to do their thing. And I'll do mine. The wind may win every time, but I'm going to push back. It's not going to envelop me.

So go ahead. Throw me hail. Sleet. Snow. A hurricane. Give me your worst, and I'll give you my best.

IN A NUTSHELL: You cannot control the elements. But you can work within them, and in doing so, you'll gain so much power and so much purpose.