#p2a2016

[fatwheelfatbike]

Paris to Ancaster 70km

[seagell]

How not to panic if you haven’t been training

This blog post is 100% totally and fully dedicated to one of the greatest men of all time (Joel) who definitely didn’t ask me to dedicate this to him and I am doing it out of the goodness of my own heart because he is so wicked cool. Trumpets, carrots, Moose, bikes, so many things that he likes that are great. He really is a stand up guy. Enjoy!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve had the best intentions of training all winter but you ended up doing more fun training than tough training. I’ve been spending lots of time at the climbing gym and doing Pilates at home. Lots of my co-Lantern Rouge team members have been riding through the winter, but I have not. Whoops!

Now that they’re starting to do some group rides, I’m a little hesitant to join in for fear of being ultra ultra extra super slow. But if there’s ever a good time to start riding with my pals, it’s now. Here’s why: 1. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE SLOW RIGHT NOW Sure, some people have been training hard all winter. Others have not. I’m in the second camp, but I’m sure I’m not alone. I’m going to head out on my first group ride this weekend so I don’t fall too far behind with the people who also haven’t trained much this winter.

2. IT’S NOT LIKE I’VE BEEN DOING NOTHING While climbing and Pilates aren’t cycling, it’s not like I’ve been doing absolutely nothing at all. Last year at this time I hadn’t done any winter training, so I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was last year. That’s got to count for something! (Right?) 3. FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT Do the opposite of what I’m doing right now and just be confident. Show up. Ride your face off. Don’t complain. Suck it up, buttercup.

4. IT’S JUST FOR FUN

This is the most important thing to remember. First and foremost, this is supposed to be fun. If you’re stressing too much about it, then you’re doing it wrong! Take a few deep breaths and maybe a chill pill or two and r-e-l-a-x. My main goal is to improve my time from last year, so as long as I’m confident that will happen, I’ll be happy. 5. YOU’VE STILL GOT TIME Paris to Ancaster is less than two months away, but you can accomplish a lot in that amount of time. So get started. I know I’m going to! At the time I’m writing this, we’re 47 days out from P2A and I can’t wait. Last year’s P2A was my first race ever and I did it with very little experience, very few bike friends and still had the best time ever. Now I have friends with trumpets and flashy kits (hi Lantern Rouge!) and it’s going to be such a bike party. Things are looking up for #P2A2016 no matter what happens.