Hydration Strategy On Hold

Okay, so it wasn't quite THIS hot today, but definitely the hottest training ride thus far. I packed 3 hours worth of hydration/nutrition for today's planned 53 mile ride. I hit a crossroads at 2 hours and 10 minutes and was on empty. I could either turn left and be at my destination in 20 minutes, or go straight finish my planned distance in about 50 minutes. I opted for the shorter route.

It proved to be the right choice. I still had some gas in the tank, but it would not have been much longer before I would have started a meltdown.

These hot days will force me to figure out how to refill out on my long rides.

Not a bad weekend...just under 100 miles in two days. Not what I had hoped for, but it'll do. More hills that my normal rides this weekend.

Peace.

Big Weekend in the Saddle

With the achilles pretty much killing my run training, I spent a considerable amount of time in the saddle this weekend.

On Saturday, my annual Lake Mac Triathlon Co-ed relay team won...again. I got a strong swim effort out of Jason, who swim for West Ottawa, and my lovely bride ran great, as always. I managed to put together an pretty good effort, though I was hoping for better. 24 miles @ 22 mph...I was gunning for 23, but I just couldn't get it done. We won, so that's cool.

After the race, I headed for Kalamazoo. The family would follow later so I had a ride home. In total, I rode 78 miles in just over 4 hours...about 19mph average. I'm good w/that.

On Sunday, I hooked up with some of the TriKats for part of the MS150 ride heading out of Holland. Jim and I made it to Grand Haven and headed back. Riding in a large group on the way up was much nicer than heading back South with just the two of us. I was toast by the time we got home...47 for the day...125 for the weekend.

I would have liked to have gone more, but this is good enough.

It's Hot Today

First open-water swim workout of the year today. Air temp was pretty warm, but the water was still in the low 70's. I chose the wetsuit option. For the first one of the year, I was looking to enjoy a nice, relaxing 30 minutes in the water.

Swimming in open water is so much more relaxing than the pool, don'tcha think? No walls to worry about...lane partners/markers to worry about...no flip turns...It's swimming heaven, in my view! Thirty three minutes total...very nice!

I'm in Ann Arbor for a USA swim meet this weekend. I get to watch my daughters swim faster than I could ever hope to...Long course for the summer...those dreaded meters! Another Euro conspiracy to bring down the American spirit. I hope to head out on the road bike early tomorrow morning for an hour or so...I just hope I don't get lost! (thanks, Joel)