Ouch!

Hit the usual 21 mile loop today. Haven't ridden in a week. :( PR for the course, though. But still a pathetic average by most standards.

Lots of fun -- got out there late afternoon, felt strong the whole way. Finished with the one mile hill instead of the longer but much less steep course. Rode it better than usual by a lot, despite the quickly becoming common numbness issues after about an hour of riding. So maybe I am getting stronger. Here's hoping . . .

And here's ouching . . . by about 30 minutes after the ride my quads and rear were in utter agony; I may even have a little saddle sore. I really need to get that bike fitting that I've been trying to arrange for months. Stomach in knots too -- I think I may've eaten dinner too soon post ride. Oh well. Back on the saddle tomorrow no matter what. I have a lot of work to do if I am going to survive my ride in October.

Back In The Saddle . . . Again

Two more weeks off the bike. First work in Chicago, then vacation. Vacation rocked, but even hiking in the Smokies doesn't count as training when you move at the pace of your 7 and almost-5 year old daughters.

Got home this afternoon at 4:30, and was out on the road at about 5:30. And it was a decent ride -- a bit more than 21 miles, at a good pace. (Well, a good pace except for traffic issues on the way to and from the 15 or so mile trail -- including a guy riding 6.5 mph on a sidewalk I was stuck on. And then the guy tried to kill me by stopping short. But when I was going, I was going hard.)

Nevertheless, I am going to have to do a hell of a lot more, without any more two week breaks, if I am going to survive my century. Back on the road tomorrow morning at 9:00 with my century partner, so we'll see if I can keep it up.

TTDC

Slow Progress

Crazy week in a lot of ways = no riding. We began with a massive power outage throughout DC that had us moving like nomads for a few days, and ended with some busy work and trying to help my family get ready for a sans-daddy beach trip. I've got to learn to get myself up in the morning, plain and simple. And I have to learn to hit the gym when I can't get out on the road. A business trip this week will be a good time to start.

Anyway, got back on the bike yesterday and banged out almost 25 miles with a friend. Not a great pace, but good to just get my butt used to the saddle again. Hoping to get out there again today for a similar ride now that my family has left for the beach.

Despite it all, and despite eating way too much, I seem to have lost a bit of weight -- down to 202.6. Likely means I didn't rehydrate enough after yesterday's ride, but as I only do one weigh in a week, I'll take it!