Getting out the door takes longer now

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Saturday, 18 September 2010 14:46

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Kiss (or don’t)

HAVE you noticed how getting to the front door takes longer nowadays? Let’s assume you started cycling or running five years ago.

You probably did your first few runs and rides wearing nothing more elaborate than a t-shirt, running shorts, old pottie helmet and running shoes. It took you five minutes flat to get from birthday suit to fully kitted and standing outside your door.

Now, it takes you 30 minutes and here’s why:
10 minutes to find and put on your heart rate monitor strap, an undershirt (hey, you might crash), a bibshort (which has to be removed along with your double-layer top when you decide you need to take a leak before you leave), fit your R5000 pair of shades;
10 minutes to mix your NASA-approved wonder juice, eat your cereal with 35 minerals and 24 vitamins, fill your hydration pack with 12 litres of fluid, add snacks and secure your 12-pocket hydration pack to your midriff with seven different straps;
10 minutes to get your GPS hooked up to at least three satellites, check that your safety ID bracelet is still on your wrist and then finally, decide whether you want to run in trail shoes, distance trainers or neutral road shoes or if you’re cycling, whether it’s the one-strap triathlon shoes or the flashy ratchet MTB shoes.
Sigh.

There’s still a lot to be said for the KISS principle (keep it simple, stooooopid).
GPS readings are wonderful to analyse, but they are always secondary to the raison d’être of our beloved sports.
Now get out there and leave your GPS behind today!

Deon Braun Publisher

(and sometimes slow-coach)