What Are You Training For?

"So what are you training for, anyway?" The tone is hard to convey in written form, but let's just say there was a touch of irritation present.

I had reached my water bottle filling station...a drinking fountain located near a community pool along one of my regular riding routes.  I knew someone was approaching me from behind, as I could hear the unmistakable click-clack of cycling cleats against the concrete sidewalk.

As I slowly turned towards the voice, I realized it was the same gentleman whom I had passed along the road, a couple miles back.  As always, I made him aware that I was passing on his left, said "good morning", gave a little wave, and pedaled on.  As is often the case, there was no response.  

Now that he had decided to engage me in conversation, my Type-A personality urged me to take control of the situation...of course it did.  I replied "Excuse, me?...I didn't quite catch what you said."  That however, wasn't entirely true.  With a touch more gruff to his tone, he repeated "I said, what are you training for?"  Let's just say I didn't care much for his tone.

The mountain biker in me was dieing to come out and play, but I figured I better hold back a little due to the fact that I was sporting my Ride 430 colors, and didn't want to tarnish our team's reputation.  After a micro-second of pause and contemplation...I replied, "Oh hey, I didn't recognize you.  You're the guy I passed back there aren't you?  That's a beautiful bike you're riding!"  

As he digested the dichotomy of my statement, he replied "You caught me by surprise back there...you must be training for something."  This time, his tone was completely different, leading me to believe that my tactics were working.  Don't get me wrong...I wasn't trying to be a jerk.  I was simply letting him know that, in fact, he was being a jerk, and I didn't really care too much for it.  

While I would have loved to have told him all about the Ride 430 Challenge, and how we raise money for injured US military heroes and their families...I chose to make a different point.  It seems like everyone is training for something these days.  Iron Man, triathlons, marathons, halves, Olympic, Xterra...the list goes on and and on.  As a health and fitness professional, I find it awesome that so many people in our society have chosen to get off the couch, and improve their lives through exercise...I really do.   As a member of The Ride 430 Challenge team, I actually am training for an event...our annual Ride 430 Challenge, which is a 4-day 400+ mile cycling event that caps off our team's annual fundraising campaign.

Like I said, I could have taken this opportunity to expose my new cycling buddy to this amazing organization, yet my response was...

"Yes, as a matter of fact I am.  I am training for life...a long, healthy life.  Have a great ride, and be safe!"

I clipped in, and pedaled off.  I looked back over my shoulder to find him just standing there, looking at me with his head cocked slightly to the side, as I rode away.  Once again I waved, and this time...he waived back.

What are YOU training for?