winter training/purgatory

it's difficult enough - the temperature is near zero and you're late for training. you get outside in 3 minutes flat with bagel in mouth and start to ride when you notice the road is speckled with dark spots which can only be rain. the weather forecast is 6 hours out and you forgot your jacket. with the warm up lost you still have to go all out to play catch up. passing the meet place thoughts of a warm bed drift in and out of your imagination as devil and angel sit on your shoulders. an almost revived pair of legs are ready to go and the rain is still light but the rest are almost definitely reading the papers in warm living rooms - even the cars you pass are sitting in glows of warmth with their TV's and heating on full. despite this you still feel more satisfaction.

at the halfway point the rain begins to fall hard, the training starts proper and as there's no sign of them, you know for sure everyone else is cosy inside. the water reaches your feet and hands through sodden gloves and overshoes and the chill begins. your few emergency possesions begin to reach emergency point themselves as the splash line up your backside soaks both your bank notes and cellphone.

you turn on the gas in an attempt to get home faster and soon, as your toes and fingers depart, thoughts turn dangerously only to warm showers and hot coffee. you start to trick your brain into thinking you're warm. the last 3 miles hurt as the windchill tries to finish off your extremities but local landmarks welcome you back and you know things are close.

even though you're desperate to warm up you can't get your clothes off because of your numb digits but you know that in a matter of minutes you'll be rewarded with the best shower and coffee of your life.

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