WHOA. Don’t know what is up with this weekend! An email came across last night from a cyclist asking if anyone wanted to ride. Well, I had to ride. BUT. This guy is a category 1 rider. Wins major triathlons. Sponsored by Gatorade, Elite, etc. FAST. Like SUPER fast. I emailed him and asked if he wouldn’t mind riding with a slow rider. He said that was fine. I didn’t warn him that I talk a lot. I knew I would never keep up with him. BUT, OK. I have a riding partner for at least the start/end of ride!

8am. Michael and Mark also joined Kevin & I. MORE. SPEEDY. RIDERS. Shoot! I knew I was in trouble when my usual average pace was the slowest pace. I hung on for dear life. For all about 10 seconds. Mark, Michael and Kevin were extremely kind in waiting up for me. I was just proud of myself for actually trying to keep up. Michael & Mark had to be back at 10:30am, so they headed back while Kevin & I stayed out for some more miles. AND yes, some conversation. You have to have that now!

Arrived back at meeting location. Kevin & I rode 45 miles (with hills) in 2:43. OK. JOY! HAPPY! AWESOME! Well, for me at least. For Kevin that was like a walk (hm ride) in the park.

Thank you guys for riding with me! It was a delight to see how you cat one people do it. ONE day I will be there:)

And this is the conclusion of the elite workout edition.

Photo by Duchamp

Thought I was going to die. No, really I did.

Here is the deal. When you race fast, you also have to train fast.

SO. This morning I had to run 10 miles. Breakdown: 3 easy, then 5 at 7:40 pace, then 2 easy. Ugh. Tempo/speed work solo for me is hard. It’s nice to have someone drag me for the fast miles. Even if it’s in my head. BUT. Didn’t have that option.

Ran late morning to once again get my body ready for the altitude/heat on race day. Ran on flat trails to make it a little easier for me. Surprised myself by running ALL (count ‘em) 10 miles in 1:25 and change. Sweet. Did it. Now I can die. Well, not really. But you get the idea.

After getting my breath back, I quickly hurried on to the rest of my day.

Sneaked  in a quick 30 minute core/weight work out, then taught swim lessons to kids for 1.5 hrs. I swam too. But not sure if I can count it or not.

Still thinking about sticking in a few tri’s. Training hardcore. May as well.

Photo by Sir Mervs