Boy,did I need this workout today! I did the 40 mile loop around Taylor and Pflugerville by myself, ending at the High School for my run. I did a race simulation today with my hydration/nutrition plan and heart rate. I was able to maintain a good pace (18.8mph) on the bike while keeping my HR in Z2 (avg 144). I forgot my endurolytes and extra water bottles so I had to stop at the store and buy water and gatoraide. Other than forgetting the salt, I had a great time. I am tired and can see that next weekends Half is going to be hard but I can also see that I am right on schedule to hit my targets. I actually felt pretty good on the run. I was ready to get off the bike at the 38 mile mark. My lower back was aching and my left quad/IT band was screaming again. I need to get to Therapy Central for some active release massage before I leave for the Caliman on Wednesday. Well, time to clean the bike and pack it up! Race day is one week from today!!!!!

Swam at Barton Springs in wetsuit and 68 degree open water. I love this place on Friday mornings. My wetsuit is starting to drag as it's bigger on my now since I have been losing weight. I need a new wetsuit for next year (Hint: Christmas would be good). The bike was boring on the training but went be fast with the radio blarring. My shoulders hurt more than usual and snot was flowing for most of my swim. Still feeling bad but starting to see signs of a recovery. I am glad that I kept working out. My Half is next weekend and I could not afford the time off or to be sick.

I did a 10k today around the Rec Center and really needed it to clear my head and to think while I ran. Work is really getting to me and, on top of that, I have this cold. For some reason, I had a good run. It wasn't fast but it was therapuetic. I skipped the swim cause I just ran out of time today and couldn't get motivated after dinner to go.

I don't feel good today with a head cold or allergies. However, I got on the bike and did the workout. Funny thing, my sinus cleared during the workout and I could breath. Must be that fight or flight response kicking in. Afterwards, it all came rushing back to my head. Work is a disaster and is going to start pushing my available time to train from here until my last race in October. The run was better than I anticipated, except for having to hack and cough the whole way. It's hot in the early evening in Texas right now...

Labor Day and I got up early and went to the pool. Good workout but I am starting to feel a cold or allergies coming on.

I rode the Coupland Loop with Ken today. I think I pushed Ken a bit too hard as he was struggling on the last 5 miles. He's a real tropper and hung on my wheel with no complaints. We plan on continuing our Sunday 50 milers through the off season so this should be fun. I felt fine all day. The pace was slow for me but I did some time trials and attacked some hills. It was also good to test my nutrition plan for the HIM in 2 weeks. I like the Amino Vital on my rides with Accelerade as a pre-workout and recovery drink. The mixture of carb/protein in Accelerade and then the electrolytes and amino acids on the Amino Vital seem to be a good combination for me. I also tested the Endurolyte strategy and found it worked fine. The 1 mile brick at the end was even a good run for me.