BAD BROOKE!

ok... so all this talk about trying to be smart? today... i earned the wrath of linda after being a COMPLETE idiot! i was in the dunce seat today, for sure!

linda wanted me to do some intensity, so i was going to join up with the noon ride... a short, HARD ride that leaves every (WOW) day at noon.

i was a total scatterbrain this morning... not getting anything accomplished AND managing to not realize how cold it was outside. well, in all fairness... it was not THAT cold when i set out.

anyway- so i didn’t want to be late to meet linda and ride around for a bit before the ride (you DON’T be late to meet your team director!)... and i was trying to be late! i lost track of time and found myself running around trying to get out the door in time. i didn’t realize how cold it was out and did not take the time to THINK about what i should be wearing. so... it SEEMED sunny and warm out, so i rolled out with no leg or knee warmers. no shoe covers. short finger gloves and no jacket. just a long sleeve baselayer, short sleeve jersey and wind vest. OOPS!

linda was able to loan me a windbreaker, but she was appalled when she saw me! it was only chilly at that point, so i could get away with it. but what i also neglected to do before setting out was look at the weather report. DOH!

i was FINE until the freezing (and i really do mean freezing) and torrential rain came in! i can only think of one time that i was that cold and that wet on a bike before. it was really miserable. even if i HAD the right clothing on- it would have been a miserable ride. but being half-naked... it was torture!

linda sent me home about halfway though the ride. i was glad too- since i was SO cold that it was only going to get worse. i just kept thinking that it was GOOD for training in that when races come that are cold and wet and miserable... i can remember this and think (hey! this is not so bad!).

well- by the time i got home, i could not use my hands. so, i could not get my keys out of my pocket. after nearly crying and fighting with my jersey- i got my keys out. THEN i could not turn the key to open the door since my hands were too cold. i nearly had to go get help to get into the apartment! but, just before i gave up, i got the door open. only to struggle to get my clothes off and get into the shower!

a hot shower and a nap later- i was back to my old-self. but MAN am i an idiot! i would like to say “never again”... let’s try. NEVER AGAIN!