Coaches are tough

My friend Simo is one tough guy. He has been my buddy for a while now, but when we get on the bike, he specifically told me that we won't be friends until we get back into the city limits of Meknes. The first time he told me that, I was a little confused. We were right outside of Al-Hajb, about an hour bike ride from our city. I didn't fully understand and thought it must be the language barrier that was challenging. But once we got moving, I fully understood his meaning. A coach is a coach and a friend is a friend, and never shall thine two meet during training.

The other day, I had an hour ride scheduled with him. He keeps taking me on these routes around the town that I have never been on. So this day, I wanted to take him on one of my routes cuz I knew it and knew when the relaxing spots would be. As we were exiting the city, he threw his curve ball and told me of a different trek close by with a few hills.

LIAR!!!!!

Within 5km, we were heading down this long, large hill that I knew wouldn't end. Eventually it did and I knew that would be a tough climb to get back home. What really got me was at the bottom of that hill, immediately we had to start another climb. This one was as steep as what we just came down, but it was at least twice as long. I don't know how long or steep that climb was, but it took a very long time to get to the top. And then at the top, guess what...

He only gave me about a 5-minute rest before we had to turn around and head back. So, down that hill and back up the first, much steeper hill. Talk about exhausting. I reminded him several times that the race I am shooting for is more of a flat track. Also, that I want to finish my Iron Distance, not win the thing. By the time I got home, I could barely walk. And the temp being around 95 that day never does help anyone.