Training and racing can be so much fun. Today I decided to go to a ride for a couple of hours as part of my preparation for my camp. Yep I am so out of shape but I want to make a little effort so I can keep up with the campers this weekend. I have a stacked camp this weekend so I had to find a ringer for my fast riders while I ride with the not so fast group. I think I am getting old.

In any case; I started my ride and about 5 minutes into it as I was trying to find my rhythm a group of riders passes me. It happens all the time let me tell you. They did not go by so fast so I decided to grab the last wheel and stuck behind. I was checking them out and they sure looked very official. Many were riding the same uniform. It was the Toyota United Pro Cycling team. http://www.toyota-united.com

There was one triathlete with them and I will tell you about this guy later.

It took me a little while to get used to the pace but I found a rhythm here. They were out for an easy ride. I asked them how long they were going for and they said a couple of hours. Perfect I thought but if these guys decide to pick it up I will be done. But let’s go with it. I immediately remembered I had my handy camera with me. I always bring it with me on rides in case I find some wild life. I found some I think! Let’s take a picture.

I then reached in my back pocket, took the camera out of the Zip Lock baggie and snapped a few photos. Cool I have a blog story. This effort almost cost me getting dropped. But I recovered.

I am not a huge cycling fan and do not know all the teams so I asked one of the guys and he told me they only race state side but they had one guest from the Credit Agricole team who races in the PRO tour. Cool. I am riding with a guy from the Pro tour!. Not bad for an out of shape coach, even if it is their recovery day.

Training with professionals is so much fun. These guys were chatting the whole way and just enjoying the whole thing. There was no racing. In fact when we were passed by another rider. There was no reaction by anyone. No one even bothered to pay attention. Who cares? Try doing that with a group of triathletes. Not a chance in hell anyone is passing. Not without a fight anyway.

Confidence; that is what the difference is. I always tell everyone I coach. Save the race for race day. Be confident. You do not have to prove anything to anyone. Do your thing.

The same thing happens in any sport. My wife and I take our kids to soccer and their practice at the indoor facility is right before a group of adults. I watch one day and they looked really good. They were old but good. So another day I saw some people I recognize. One was Marcelo Balboa who is in the US Soccer Hall of Fame and another was my old boss from my Soccer coaching days John Welsh. He played pro ball in the US and Europe. Hey I want to play with them a little. My wife thought I was nuts. So I had to explain to her that these guys play clean and are not out there to kill anyone. They just want to have fun, use skill and not hurt anyone. It is the amateurs I would be afraid of playing with. Those guys will take you down to get the ball anytime. So I asked and they invited me to play. I have not taken the offer yet. I want to at least have one practice under my belt. Maybe after my New Jersey tri camp.

So I mentioned there was one triathlete in the ride yesterday. I never said a word to the guy. But he was such a typical triathlete. Very fit looking and kooked like a pro. Always towards the front of the group. Riding his Kuota with an Ironman sticker. His cadence was about 60 while everyone was riding 90. His clothes were sharp but had holes in them. But here is the final one. Ready for this? He was wearing the compression socks up to the knees. Please people. Maybe I am old school. Are the Europeans coming? I know the socks were the rave in Kona for the Europeans. I don’t know, I just cant see myself wearing those things.

Anyway, fun ride for me. I am ready for the camp!