Pics from Tour de Cure

Tour de Cure 2009

A beautiful two days of riding in Texas. The weather was just about perfect yesterday and today. Not much wind. High 60s overnight, in the low 70s at the start and finishing each day between 80-85 degrees. Don't get me wrong, it was well into the 90s yesterday afternoon at the party/lunch but I was off the roads and out of the direct sun.

This was one very well done ride. A tip of the helmet to the organizing crew. You all did a great job. One of the best marked courses I have ever ridden. Many rest areas, very well stocked. Great volunteers - they even cheered as you finished.

As you probably know, this is a charity ride for diabetes and I have a good friend in Canada who is diabetic and one of my spin instructors is diabetic as well. I was thrilled to ride with my spin instructor and her husband yesterday....maybe next year FreddyBeachPete can come down too. I will definitely do the ride again next year.

We are very fortunate to have the hill country to ride through on a regular basis. From San Antonio to Austin is some great riding on lightly traffic'd roads for the most part. The organizers did a great job finding us some great roads to ride on both days.

Overnight is in San Marcos at Texas State....we grabbed a hotel room as my dorm days are fond memories and that is where I am trying to keep them. Got to have dinner with mom instead of the dinner party associated with the ride so that was great too.

Tomorrow starts week 2 of the Ironman Arizona training plan. The journey continues. See you at the finish line.

This is week one

This is week one of Ironman Arizona training. I can't believe the plan has begun. I started my training plan with the CapTexTri Olympic on Monday. A long 50 mile ride tomorrow for Tour de Cure with another ride on Sunday of probably 25 since I have some family duties...it's my daughter's birthday.

By the way....SHE GOT A JOB....SHE GOT A JOB....SHE GOT A JOB....she is gainfully employed full time as of 3 weeks from now. I am very proud of her and looking forward to watching this next step in her life.

So, it is up early tomorrow for the Tour de Cure and then up early again on Sunday for the second part of the ride.

More to follow....and as always, see you at the finish line.

Deja Vu all over again...timewise

CapTexTri done today....Olympic distance....three thousand did either Oly, Sprint or MyFirstTri. This year's time was 15 seconds faster than last years with light training. I really felt undertrained going into this one but I got through it. I pr'd the swim, rode almost the same ride as last year (even with a course change with a couple of short but very steep hills) and then a warming run. It was about 85 degrees when we finished so much cooler than last year and much less humid. I feel very good right now. A little sleepy from the 4am wakeup but okay regardless. Getting ready to run an errand at Lowe's and then grab some dinner.

Tapering

Tapering for the CapTexTri....well, you really have to train to taper. My training has not been really structured so far this year but that is about to change. Monday really kicks off my season....more to come on that subject.

Planning to swim tonight but the pool was closed due to lightning. An hour and forty five minute spin class in the morning, then off on Sunday and race Monday. Should be a fun weekend.

I said this last year but if you have never done the CapTexTri, it is one you should try to get to sometime. It is a great race, in a great city. I just wish we raced on Sunday to have Monday as a recovery day but apparently it is easier to close the streets on Monday.

See you at the finish line.

Graduation Day

Yesterday was graduation day for my daughter. It was a wonderful day with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. We all had a celebratory lunch and then Debbie and I packed Taylour up and she came home to "job-seeking central".

I am back to training after a nice Mother's Day with my mom, wife and daughter. What a great day.

I am 2 weeks and one day away from CapTexTri and I am not really well trained yet. I have taken it pretty easy so I don't overdo it before Ironman Arizona and get burned out. I am just planning to enjoy the day....I know I will pay on the run.

IM plan starts Memorial Day - the same day as CapTexTri.

Happy Mother's Day.
See you at the finish line.

Watching Swimmers

Watching others....I try to realize their mistakes but focus on the really good form swimmers, subconsciously I hope their effortless swimming burns into my brain so that I can be more fluid. I swam this morning early and was finishing up as another guy was in the pool...I watched him struggle and struggle and realized it was silly to sit and watch him. He came to a stop - yes a stop - to breathe, and then tried to get himself going. I really wanted to recommend that he get a lesson or two but didn't think it was my place. I am not a great swimmer as we all know but I looked like Ryan Lochte compared to him....made me smile....notice I didn't say Michael Phelps....he's a pothead....LOL!

I went to pilates class tonight with Debbie and I think the old abs will be sore tomorrow...I really need to work on my core and maybe this is the way to try to consistently do it.

Have a great week and I will see you at the finish line.

May 2....one week to graduation

My daughter graduates from college in one week.....I cannot believe it.....it seems like only yesterday we dropped her off at college and next week she graduates.

Wow....

There is absolutely nothing I would change about her college experience....she made some mistakes.....haven't we all.....but those shape her and make her into the amazing young woman she is....

Of course, I am probably a bit biased.....just a bit....

See you at the finish line.