Training partners

I have often found amusing/annoying a little thing that BF says to me. When I lament hills or the wind on my cycling (or running) jaunts, he scolds me.

"The wind is your training partner!" he says.

And he is right. The wind works against us at times, but it also helps us out. It is a cruel and unusual wind indeed that doesn't help you for a portion of your ride. And the key is always to plan a ride based on where that wind will be coming from to maximize your energy and workout. And to a degree too, the wind is a mental challenge - it is harder on the old noggin to have the wind in your face - it just feels like you can't get anywhere.

This past Sunday the Dean of the Cathedral said something that really struck a chord. We've been talking about the Holy Spirit as we approach Pentecost and about the various forms the Holy Spirit takes in the Bible. A classic one is as a dove. There is also flame. And this week's discussion about what form taken was that of wind. At one point the Holy Spirit appeared as wind.

And it struck me that that makes it come full circle when I'm cycling. The Holy Spirit is with me. The Holy Spirit is my training partner. The Holy Spirit is with me as I work hard to improve my physical state of being. And by thinking of that challenge in a bit more of a spiritual sense, I can feel a sense of well-being that the Holy Spirit is helping me. And guiding me. And challenging me.

I guess I'd better not offer any more expletives when the wind is being particularly difficult on a ride or on a run!

Nice wind, helpful wind, nice helpful Holy Spirit. :)