Who the heck was Gill Bates?

To that question I can only answer from my side. Firstly, maybe it is worth to open up the reason behind this particular topic – so, why I ended up even trying to answer this question was triggered by my very own thoughts today, hence the header. I shall open that incident in detail later on.

Generally, the thoughts vary in between the session depending on factors such as the type of the session and so on. In other words, if it is more about base endurance type of stuff my thoughts at least wonder around more than during intervals and not to even mention gym sessions. However, there are general pathways that the mind goes, which is practically always the same.

Pathway 1 is the neutral one. You feel ok, but not quite sure how it all will turn out, so most of the time you just try feel your legs and how they're working. Then comes the comparison to earlier similar work outs and interpreting the data on the small screen attached to the stem. ”Last time I did this and that and now this and that”. There is also occasional thoughts of something that just has been going on lately or some planning ahead.

Pathway 2 is the invincible one. You feel superb that day and stare at the screen in amazement and don't want that to end. Again, the comparisons come into play in a way that you just think how much you have developed and more importantly how much you will develop. These sessions are often the breakthroughs for motivation and so on. During these rides the occasional thoughts are rare as you just flow through the day and wish the same form to continue and you may even start daydreaming.

Pathway 3 is the miserable day out. The feeling is utter crap. You continuously try your legs out and at first think that ”Ok, it's gonna turn alright after an hour or so.” - yet, it doesn't. You just keep staring at the numbers and curse. The cursing continues as you just keep checking the time and realize that there still three hours left and the feeling ain't getting any better. Now the occasional thoughts are just normality and boy, they definitely are not of the inspiring nature.

Still, each and every workout ends the same: ”What will I eat when I get home?”.

Despite the pathways are quite clear, the occasional thoughts are the ones that actually make all more interesting. The just tend to come out of the blue and be whatever. Now let's go to the incident of the day. I was doing 54^th minute of a 60min base interval and the thought hit my head:

”Was it Gill Bates or Bill Gates to own Microsoft?”

Have a good day!