Gettin' my mojo back

(wow, 2 posts in one day!)

After Honu I really didn't feel like doing anything that resembled training, other than riding my snazzy new bike down in Monterey last week. I figured I'd take a couple weeks off, then start doing some strength training and maybe half marathon training, but overall keep the remainder of the year pretty chill. And then this week I must have had a serious brain contraction because I signed up to do IM Miami 70.3 in October. I figured:

• It's only June! What am I supposed to do with myself, really?
• The next few months will actually be warm enough to comfortably train
• It's a good excuse to visit my mom in Orlando and do a girls weekend in Miami
• The thought of warm water and palm trees again in 2011 makes me happy
• I have a new tri bike that I actually want to ride
• And the big reason: I missed my goal time for Honu...significantly. Must. Redeem. Self. ASAP.

That was Monday. But I still didn't feel inspired to start training. I figured I'd start on July 1. Until today. It was actually almost 70 and sunny in San Francisco. Yee haw! Finally, some nice weather. Must ride bike! Must do hill work to get stronger to hit my goal time!

So I did the Alcatraz route and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Great Highway along Ocean Beach was closed for sand-dune removal. Bikes were allowed, so it was a fantastic couple-mile stretch with no cars and no stoplights... just heads down and hammer. I normally turn around at the zoo, but today I felt like exploring. I kept going out to Skyline and headed south towards Pacifica. I've actually been afraid to do this route because on MapMyRide.com it looked like a lot of climbing. Well, I have decided that I now love climbing. That's my new mantra for the fall. I eat hills for breakfast!!

The route was spectacular. The hills weren't actually too bad, although climbing is definitely easier on my new bike (partly because of the geometry, partly an easier rear cassette.)

I decided to turn around after 15 miles because (a) it was warmer than I'd expected so I removed my arm warmers, only to remember that I hadn't put on sunscreen. And (b) I still didn't have my seat positioned right after removing it for Honu... I think it's too far forward, and my knees were bothering me. I will definitely do this ride again, and maybe head down past Pacifica.

Here was the view on the way back, near the Cliff House... sailboats were loving the wind:

When I got home I definitely wasn't ready to sit indoors and work (benefits of self employment), so I threw on my running shoes and headed out for a 3 mile run. And tonight I was inspired to go to masters swim. Overall a great bike/run/swim day.... hmm. Feels like I got my training mojo back.

This Saturday I'm doing a group ride to Alpine Dam, which is yet another hilly route that I've thus far avoided. To give you some context, I generally have avoided any route with over @ 1800 feet of climbing. Alpine Dam looks to be 3300. Bring it on.

Comments

[Brett]

Don't want to scare you, but go prepared for you Alpine Ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/64438787

Mellow start for that ride through Fairfax, but then a 4 mile climb to Alpine Dam, then a 3 mile climb our of Alpine Dam, then of course you have 7 Sister to finish! Nearly all downhill after that, but make sure you prepare for a 75 mile ride even though its only 50-55 depending on where you start.