A changing view

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 I know people wear contacts all the time for all kinds of sports. It should be an easy adjustment to get back on the bike with the contact. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. I’ve been struggling with comfort on the bike since the trails dried out. Running has been fine for the most part, but the cycling is still a work in progress. One day I’m great, the next nothing is clicking. I’m not processing the information as quickly - which doesn’t make sense to me. My vision is good with the contact - near 20/20. I think it’s the shifting positions when I blink. The contact grabs and catches a little, then my entire brain has to reset. And when it’s super dry or hot out, it catches even more frequently. Add in speed from descending and the whole thing isn’t comfortable. Then I start losing confidence in what I’m doing because I’m not willing to push the effort at all so I can see easily. It’s a spiral of slowing down. 

Nick has told me on multiple times not worry about it. If I’m not riding at the intensity of years past, it’s not a big deal. Just have fun on the bike. Easy to say - not so easy to do. Especially when I scroll Strava and see friends doing big epic days that I’m not sure I’ll ever feel comfortable doing again. Things like Canyon Creek or Mag 7. I’ve gone screaming down Canyon Creek in the predawn darkness, loving every minute. Not so much anymore - I’m not sure I would even make the first drop in before Horseshoe Creek! Granted, part of the issue has been the more limited riding. I’ve definitely cut back on my pedaling time because of reasons other then my eyes. There’s only so many hours in the day and I need to prioritize things. So it’s down the three hours a week if I’m lucky with the occasional bigger days.

I know there’s nothing wrong with the current shift back to running. I’m really enjoying the time on feet in a way I didn’t before. My current goals and motivation all align with running more then riding. So I’m not complaining But that doesn’t mean I can’t get frustrated at times and miss the confidence and poise I had on my bike. 

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