Reflection

This past weekend was the Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3 down in Lubbock, TX. To say it didn't quite go as planned would be an understatement. I am not going to go into the details as really I do not want to relive the train wreck which was the run. I would rather just forget about the whole thing, so here is my cliff notes style race report:

Swim: Good. As always felt a little off the first couple hundred yards until I got use to the wetsuit and the tightness of swimming in it. Settled in and had a decent swim.

Bike: Good. Felt pretty good, chain was slipping a bit on the small ring when in the easier gears so had to climb in a few less gears than would have liked. Overall pretty satisfied with the bike.

Run: Craptactular. Felt like shit from mile 2 through 13.1, wish I would have puked as I think things would been much better. Since my stomach was cramping, I took in no more gels and eventually boths legs cramped. Run sucked, think this was all do to not enough (as in none) salt tab intake.

As I look back on this race I have decided to make a few changes. First being I am not racing Racine in three weeks, it is Landon's birthday weekend and I want some more time to test some things nutrition wise when running off the bike before I attempt another 70.3. I want this dialed in to perfection before IMAZ. Next race will be the Pigman Half (maybe Naperville Sprint but we will see).

Second, need to figure out how to take salt tabs when riding. Played with it a bit last year but didn't like what they did to my stomach at Steelhead but I think I can dial it in with a little tweaking, I have a couple of ideas to try out.

Lastly, the crazy ass migrations at work are winding down and I can get back on a regular schedule hopefully. No more multiple all nighters in a weekend that just drain me. Got some quality workouts laid out and bigger picture training goals for July\August outlined, I also have the data on where I was last year and where I want to be this year so now time to execute a bit.

The rest of this week is all gravy, going to ease back into it. Run a 5K for fun on Saturday, chill by the pool with Landon some this weekend and start to really look at the big picture for IMAZ. Pigman will be the test to see where I am at and to make sure I have really dialed in my nutrition.

TOMRV and oh crap I have a 70.3 next weekend.

This past weekend was a blast. Sometime over the winter Nate and I both decided to do TOMRV, this is a great ride with some quality mileage, great views along the Mississippi River and a ton of climbing. It was great that Nate decided to come up from Kansas City and ride it with me as I had wanted to do this ride for quite some time. After finally doing it I would have no problem riding it on my own as it was that relaxing and such a fun route. We did get rained on quite a bit on Sunday and a little on Saturday but it didn't really matter that much.

We ended up staying at my in-laws in Dubuque Saturday night and as always had a ton a of great food and good times, chilling on their deck relaxing after a long ride was perfect and always appreciated. Amy and Landon met us up there and Landon absolutely loves hanging out at his grandparents.

Next comes Buffalo Springs 70.3 next weekend, to say I am not quite sure what to expect would be and understatement. This year seems to have been the most chaotic I can remember in a long time, not bad just crazy. We have had a lot going on with work, family and just random stuff so my training schedule has been mostly along the lines of do whatever and enjoy things which has worked well (minus Galena) so far so we will see how next weekend plays out. At some point I need to map out a plan and stick to it for IMAZ but really not going to worry about it at this point. The time will come, hopefully. I am not going to sweat the half IM's during the summer, more go with the flow, enjoy the races and hopefully get my butt in better shape for IMAZ. That said I am sure if I have a terrible race next weekend, the training hours will go up significantly before Racine. I guess see what happens and adjust as needed.

Big Ups to Summer

Summer is officially here, it is hot, humid and my body needs to adjust all over again. Good thing I have three weeks to adapt to heat before Buffalo Springs, gulp...

This weekend was a blast, Saturday was the Soldier Field 10 miler. I was right at what I expected for the pace. I had set a goal for the race, nothing crazy but something I knew I could hold but would not smash me for the rest of the weekend as well as let me adapt to the heat a bit. All in all the race was good, besides the finishing on Soldier Field part pretty boring though. Down and back on Lake Shore, nothing to exciting.

Sunday was dedicated to household work that I had been procrastinating on, mainly organizing and cleaning the garage. I got a little to ambitious and 10 hours later, I had sweat off probably 10 pounds and managed to be sore as hell by the end of the day from building a workbench, hanging shelves and just doing crap I am not use to doing but all worth it as it looks sweet. Need to just figure out where to hang the older mountain bikes.

Monday, first ride on the IMOO loop for 2010 is in the books. It was perfect, no rain mostly sunny and solid riding. No matter how many times you ride that loop it never gets easier but is worth every second of the drive. Lapinski and Keating decided to take part in my mini trip as well which always make the time go faster on the drive. I see more of these trips in the future, maybe some week day excursions come July.

Swimming tonight and maybe a run and cross ride tomorrow.