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I was a superhero for a day.

I used to think every time that I put on my skinsuit I was a superhero. Actually, I still think that, I just don’t intend on wearing that outfit anytime soon… Maybe it is the way the you have suck in, take a deep breath, and zip up the lycra costume. Maybe it is because it compliments the domed aerohelmet so well. Maybe it was because I was about to defy wind resistance and go really fast. Maybe it was because I just thought it was slimming. For whatever reason, my skinsuit was always my superhero costume, and I try only to wear it when it really counted. The race of truth.

It has been a long time since I felt like superhero. It turns out even superheroes can get broken.

Regardless, I returned from track camp, from the left turns, and from SoCal and I was beat. My legs were sore. I was building muscle and power, and paying the price. I was tired. Finally after what felt like an eternity of rest, I was able to do some high cadence work and intervals. I was so ready to kick the training back into gear, and I felt recovered and confident. I could feel the tingling of the super powers returning. I started my intervals, and there it hit me.

I was a superhero.

Maybe I didn’t have my costume on, maybe I wasn’t going that fast, but I had my own theme music in my head and I had quick legs. I took a sigh of relief, relishing in the return of the powers. I put a gold star down for the effort, and floated throughout the rest of the day. It was all blue skies and rainbows.

Insert dramatic music here.

I then went to do my group ride the next day. Ouch. I remembered the catch. If you feel like a superhero for one day, the next day you might feel the consequences of that. Oops. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Everyone deserves to fly for a day, just know that those times are fleeting and are meant to be enjoyed. We all like being superheroes. We might has well capitalize on those opportunities when they come.

I have a feeling next year I will be a superhero many more times, and will even be sporting the costume. But for these days of building and training, I will take what I can get. One day at a time. I will keep the superhero costume in the drawer, just in case. You never know when you will need it.

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