I teach a few early morning indoor cycling classes in and around the Boston area. When weather permits (based more on emotion than on weather forecasts), I prefer to cycle to class. Over the last few weeks both the temperatures and available daylight have been changing (diminishing) so my emotional decision of whether to ride or not ride to class is becoming…well…more emotional.
A couple of weeks ago I overcame my emotion (basically, it was warmer) and at 5:15am I rolled out of my driveway looking forward to my 30-minute ride to the club and the class I had prepared. I don’t have the best headlight on my bike so the road surface can be tough to see at times. I’ve become an expert in shadow-reading through trial and error (mostly error in the form of pinch flats). This particular morning I noticed that the surface on this one road was wet, so I immediately assumed it had rained overnight and rode on enjoying the rolling out-of-the-saddle efforts.
I Heard it and then a Split-Second Later, I Swallowed It
It is funny how your mind can quickly connect sounds to action. However, at 5:15 in the morning, my brain is on a 7-second delay. First I heard this rhythmic hissing sound and then I immediately rode directly into a thick stream of water perfectly aimed at my open mouth. Four seconds later….”rhythmic hissing sound equals lawn sprinkler”.
Now that will wake you up!
The immediate chill I felt was heightened by the still dark roads and the fact that my body thought it was receiving oxygen and NOT freezing cold H2O. After a few minutes my body heat again prevailed and I arrived at the health club with a great story to tell to open the class.
Reprogramming the Brain…
“hiss…hiss…hiss…hiss” = Close Mouth, Duck and Swerve Left…..Save.
