Had a massive headache all morning yesterday, and it took me until 4pm to actually get out of bed. I felt like **** and wasn't looking forward to crossing the city (I live in the deep south, parents and work are at the northern end) in the massive heat, but as soon as I got my new lycra, helmet and glasses on, I felt revitalized. It was still ****ing hot, motorists were still *******s, but I got my first chance to use all my new gear.
Finally a helmet that fits (Rudy Project Zuma), my first sunglasses (Rudy Rydon + clip-ons), and a suit that does double-duty in the pool. Also chugged an entire 1.5l during the ride, courtesy of my new bottle-holders and bottles. By the end of the ride, I felt fresher than when I started.
This morning, I headed out to the pool and worked on my technique again. Took me a while, but I mastered bi-lateral breathing and improved my posture at the same time. Amazing how I only started last week, and am already hanging in there for 500m at a time in the medium-speed lane - feels good to work on my upper body for a change, after two years of intensive cycling and occasional running.
Originally Posted by
yummygooey
Since I spend most of my days indoors at a desk, and what little sunlight I actually get involves me wearing a jersey, my upper body has pretty much not seen sunlight all summer.
On Saturday I played tennis for two hours on the lakefront without a shirt on.
Today I'm cringing in pain every time I have to move because my shirt rubs my shoulders.
As a strict wearer of long pants and closed shoes, my first cycling event (first time I was too excited to apply proper sunscreen) left me with a nasty burn on the back of my legs - except for the race-number and a temp-tattoo with the logo of a friend's company that supplied my clothing. Apparently black marker and temp-tattoos make great sunscreens, because the number and logo are still legible! Burnt into my skin, so to speak.