Director's Dare
When I Was a Kid
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Well, I believe that I have actually found it. People have heard of it for years and speculated as to whether or not it really even existed. I'm here to tell you, seeing is believing. Feeling with the senses is proof enough for me. It is true. I have found the path that my grandpa, and your grandpa, used to trek every day to school. You know the one that is uphill both ways? Many have scoffed at the old ones' tales, but I can tell you that I am a true believer because I have experienced it. All this time, I had been misled because I had been searching for it in a wintry climate. But that was just to throw us seekers off the trail. This unholy phenomenon actually exists right here in Southern Utah.
The road leading from Sand Hollows Reservoir and back again is indeed uphill both ways. I hadn't noticed before because I was driving, and everyone knows that vehicles naturally take the steepest terrain and cause it to appear flat. But get out of the car, traverse the very same road on foot or on a bike, and what once was as flat as the back of a Hershey Bar, suddenly springs to its true Everestian stature. (I don't think Everestian is a real word. My spell checker is underlining it in red, but you know what I mean right - as high as Everest? Why is it called Everest anyway? I don't think there's any one that rests during that climb.)
Saturday I went to Sand Hollows Reservoir again and decided to combine the three parts of the triathlon again. Only this time I was determined to elongate the lengths I swam, biked and ran. When I arrived at the Reservoir, I was greeted by Ranger Norm Forbush. He informed me that several of those training for the Saint George Triathlon had been there earlier that morning, getting ready for that great event. I was a little intimidated until I realized that I couldn't tell them apart from any of the other people who were just there to enjoy the beautiful day.
I splashed into the water, nary hesitating at the slightly higher than frigid temperature and started swimming. I still struggled a little with the open water, but was able to swim a pretty good distance. I have no real sense of distance measurement in the water, so I really don't know how far I swam, but I was in the water for about 35 minutes. It felt like a pretty good swim.
I had planned my water-to-bike transition much better this time. I had set aside some sandals that I slipped into right out of the water, strapped on my helmet and jumped on my bike. The further I pedaled the more I noticed that the road had a very distinct uphill feel to it.
"No problem," thought I. "The trip back will be a total cinch."
I rode about 8.5 miles, from Sand Hollows up around Quail Creek Reservoir. There I turned around, prepared for an easier ride back with a fair share of coasting down the hill I had just labored up. Keep in mind; I'm still using my 75 lb. Blue Light Special. I was really looking forward to the restful glide. After a few pedals - to my horror - I realized that not only was I not gliding, but I was once again laboring UP HILL. Unbelievable!
I thought briefly about calling the Discovery Channel to report my breakthrough, but decided against it, thinking they wouldn't believe me anyway.
Oh well. Keep the emails coming.
Labels: triathlon
