Head Out: Workout cycles change with season

[ With Melissa DeVaughn ]

Published: August 27th, 2008 09:58 PM
Last Modified: August 28th, 2008 04:55 AM

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For the fifth day in a row, I was on my bike. And for the fifth day in a row, I was not looking forward to it.

Perhaps it's just the time of year. Or maybe it's the constant rain. But when I look at either of my bikes, I no longer feel the love.

Lately, I've been turning my attention to my running shoes, tucked in the closet and seeing little use.

My coach, who makes an attempt at keeping up with my training whims, assigns me days of running now and then to break up the monotony of cycling -- the miles and miles of lonely training on the same old Alaska roads -- but it hasn't seemed enough. When I don't see "running" on my weekly schedule, my heart thuds and I'm disappointed.

Last Friday, then, was a great day. I woke up knowing I would not need to pump up the bike tires, fill my water bottle, lube my chain or download my data. All I had to do was lace up my shoes and go. I eagerly anticipated the pounding on the pavement and the burning in my lungs as I'd climb the hills near my house.

I could have run at 10 a.m., as soon as I had the day to myself -- dogs taken care of, kids to school, husband at work. But there was work to be done, so I held off, enjoying withholding the anticipation of a good workout but simultaneously wondering if this was at all healthy, relying on a high heart rate for kicks.

Lunchtime came and went, and still I held off, rationalizing that I should eat and let my food settle before heading out.

Then it drizzled, and I thought if I wait a while longer, the rain might subside.

Finally, it was time, and off I went, savoring the buildup of fatigue that so subtly shifts to power, giving way to a steady, even pace. By Mile 2, that power builds, and like a locomotive, I picked up speed and settled into a rhythm.

There's something so basic about running, so instinctual, that it cannot be replicated in any other sport. Cycling may always be what gets me motivated, but running is what keeps me motivated. And it seems only natural, especially at this time of year, as summer sports wind down and the prospect of snow sports looms large.

I know the boredom with my bikes will not last long. It never does. But no matter the sport, all athletes need a break now and then, no matter their skill level. The key is finding something to fill that niche, and for me, there is nothing better than a long run on a cold day.

Find Melissa DeVaughn online at adn.com/contact/mdevaughn or call 257-4482.

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