Wind

Here where I live in southeastern Nebraska, we do not have any mountains.  Some pretty good hills, but no mountains.  We do not have any oceans with beautiful soft sandy beaches. We have a few pretty good sized "ponds" made by dams, but no huge lakes, even.  BUT, what we DO have is Nebraska Cornhusker Football and WIND. 
Last Saturday I was to do three, 5 minute intervals at 190-203 watts (115-120%) of my threshold which is 173.  I started from the new bike shop, Joy Ride, and headed south on hwy 77.  I did notice a slight breeze, but did not give it much thought. After my 15 minute warm up, two 5 minute intervals and two 5 minute recovers, I crossed the 4 lane road and headed north.  Whoa!!!!!  What a head wind!  No wonder I was having such a good time going south. UGH!!! Did the 3rd interval and then tried to get back to town.  I truly thought I would never make it.  Finally, I just told myself to settle in, hit a stride and stay with it.  If I just keep peddling I will get back to my car.  I suppose this is a situation where a riding partner would have been some company and an encourager.  It just happens that I do not know of anyone that rides my speed.  The 20-50 year old are so much faster.  I do not know of any other female my age riding my speed here in Nebraska. Soooooooooooooo I just head out on my own.
By the way, intervals going with the wind, 26mph average. Interval into the wind, 14mph. Rest of the ride back to town, 10mph. But with the power tap, I just concentrate on the watts produced. Ah yes, Nebraska has wind.  It makes us strong!!!

Hang in there and keep pedaling.

Comments

[sydney]

We have a few other things too. My friend, Veronica, sent me this Nebraska poem:

Smack in the middle of our great nation,
Is a state that requires some explanation.

To east and west coasters who'll come
right out and ask ya,

'Is there anything of interest in the
State of Nebraska ?'

It' s true we don't have mountains
all decked out in snow,

But we do have the world's biggest
live chicken show.

We're the makers of Spam. We invented
Kool-Aid,

And this is where the first Reuben
sandwich was made.

Our insect, the Honeybee. Our bird, the
Meadowlark.

The strobe light, our creation, works best
in the dark.

Governmentally speaking, we're a freak
of nature.

Since we have the only one-house
legislature.

On Arbor Day, when you plant a tree...
Remember that it started in Nebraska City


We were once called a desert, but that
name didn't take,

Since we have the country's largest
underground lake.

We have the world's largest forest
planted by hand,

And more miles of rivers than any state in
the land.

The College World Series calls Omaha
'home,'

And yes, this is where the buffalo used to
roam.

We were the first state in the nation to
finish our Interstate section,

And the first to run two women in the
gubernatorial election.

We invented 9-1-1 emergency communication,

And we're the number one producer of
center pivot irrigation.

Our wooly mammoth fossil is the largest
ever found,

And our monumental 'Carhenge' is
certain to abound.

We have several museums that could be
called odd,

Dedicated to Chevy's, fur trading,
roller skates and sod.

In Blue Hill , Nebraska , no woman wearing
a hat,
Can eat onions in public. Imagine that!

We built the largest porch swing and
indoor rain forest,

And anyone who visits is sure to adore us.

So pack up the kiddies, the pets and the
wife,

And see why Nebraska is called 'THE
GOOD LIFE.'

Oh, it doesn't even once mention
Husker football???
OR.....That the yellow color of the school
bus originated in Franklin, Ne.

[Flo]

A 58 year old Oregonian here, also training to race...and with a PT, natch. Ain't they great ? Your blog is a kick to read. If you ever get out to the Willamette Valley, come and ride with us ! We got a ladies going out on Wed pm, the core is between 50 and 60 years old, and all racing. Think about cyclocross nationals maybe out in Bend. I'll be racing 60+ in 2010...not quite there for 2009.