Hello, dear readers! It’s time for yet another monthly recap of my failed successes. But wait, this time I’m actually on schedule with my monthly update! Let’s dive into my past mishaps and the future ones I’m eagerly planning.
The Spanish Rain Festival (That Was Supposed to Be a Cycling Camp)
I never mentioned my February cycling camp in my February blog, and for good reason. I needed to cool down before putting it into words. Looking back now, it’s still as comically unfortunate as it was then. My 4 day cycling paradise in Girona, Spain’s cycling mecca, transformed magically into 3 days of persistent rain. I had dreamed of escaping Denmark’s gloomy winter for sunny Spanish roads, but as the departure date approached and the weather forecast grew gloomier, my enthusiasm wilted faster than ice cream on a hot sidewalk.
Day one: I managed a 130km route, battling wind and cold instead of basking in the promised sunshine. Perhaps if I’d planned better, I might have pedaled in the same direction as all the other cyclists that day. But hey, at least I got plenty of waving practice!
Day two: My ride was cut short by rain clouds that seemed to be chasing me personally. They eventually caught me for the final few kilometers, of course.
Day three: I had reserved this day for a shorter ride with a challenging climb (a rare treat for someone from pancake flat Denmark). Alas, still chilled from the previous day’s soaking, I surrendered just before the climb and headed back to return my rental bike. The cherry on top of this adventure? In a garage full of Bianchi’s signature Celeste colored bikes, they gave me a full black carbon one. Definitely fitting my mood!
March: The Month That Tricked Me
March has been relatively uneventful in the cycling department. Early in the month, the temperature played a cruel prank, tempting me outdoors for my first Danish ride of the season. Predictably, I fell for it and nearly turned into a cycling popsicle during those two hours. After thawing out, I retreated to my trusty (and newly fixed) indoor trainer, pedaling diligently toward my 1000 km monthly goal. Somehow, despite a week long break after my Spanish rain adventure, I managed to hit my target.
The Surprise Half-Marathon: Or, How to Make Travel Complicated
I finally completed my first half-marathon race (and second half-marathon overall). I decided to surprise my friend by showing up to run with him after specifically saying I wouldn’t. A bit adventurous considering the 1800 km between us. I signed up at the last possible moment, three days before the race and bought a plane ticket.
Those few days of anticipation felt like planning the greatest heist ever. However, as departure day approached, my brilliant idea started losing its shine, reaching peak “what was I thinking” status on Saturday morning. My journey began with a bus, a metro, and a flight across Europe. A lovely stewardess took pity on me and offered her personal coffee after our discussion about the lack of sugar free options on board.
After landing back in Croatia, I hopped on a bus that, surprise, surprise, decided to break down halfway to the city. We were rescued by another bus that miraculously completed the route. On my way to my final destination (my friend’s surprisingly comfortable couch), I stopped to collect my race number, which led to another amusing episode.
After registration, I realized my friend might check the participant list, so I asked the organizers to change my name. They did this without confirmation (or I missed their email). When I asked for my starting package, the girl at registration couldn’t find me under any name. After a confused minute, she consulted her colleague who immediately caught on to my surprise plan. We shared a good laugh before I continued on my way.
The next morning, while trying to spot my friends to surprise them, they spotted me first. Their reaction was somewhat underwhelming, like watching paint dry in slow motion. I guess pre-race focus is a powerful thing. I started the race strong, but by the finish line, my legs were staging a rebellion. Note to self: perhaps running more than once a month might be beneficial for half-marathon preparation. All told, it wasn’t a bad race with a respectable result. After enjoying good food and time with friends, the next morning it was time to return to Denmark.
What’s Next: The Mallorca 312
With this little adventure behind me, it’s time to prepare for my next challenge: the Mallorca 312 race on April 25th. Almost everything is ready. I just need to figure out the bicycle situation (you know, that small detail of having something to actually ride). But hey, there’s still time to get that sorted, adjusted, and equipped. Let’s see how it goes! If my schedule of monthly blogs continues, you’ll hear all about it. If the next one goes missing… well, something probably went wrong!
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