Today is supposed to be my longest run to date, but tomorrow begins the 150 mile, two day Cactus and Crude ride.  I probably should have just rested, but I just could not not run.  My calf which has been fine for a couple of days did act up about 1/2 way in spite of all the walking.  My theory is that I needed to at least run a little to keep the body acclimated and keep it adjusting to running.  so in honour of the big bike ride, I took it real easy, but did a little running.  My legs were still a bit tired this morning from the Wednesday long bike ride. 

This is week three in the cycle, and is the week before recovery.  Having a recovery week after the 150 mile weekend should work out well.  Only three weeks to my first Oly.  I need to look at the training schedule and plan how to approach the next three weeks training. 

Rest day / Taper day today and tomorrow.  MS 150 bike ride this weekend.  Two 75 mile days is probably not much for a good bicyclist, and that's why I'm a bit nervous.  My goal is to do the whole thing.  I think I can, I think I can...

My longest ride ever last night, an there was lots of intensity, as well as strong winds.  My first 40 min were by myself, as well as about 40 min in the middle of the group ride.  I'm definitely getting stronger and have more endurance.  This Friday was to be my longest run in the last 30 years, but with the big bike ride, I'm not sure what I'll do.  I don't want to skip it altogether, but I really want to be rested for the long bike rides on Saturday and Sunday.  I had planned to do it Tuesday - but a pulled calf muscle prevented that.  Hmm.   Oly in three weeks.   And I just realized that the swim is 1500 yds, not the easy 800 I thought it was... Hmmm   The three weeks remaining should be enough to get comfortable with the swim distance, although a 10K run is still about 4 K  farther than my farthest to date.

I need to go look at the MS 150 stuff.  Need to register for the Tall City Tri and the Wool Capitol tri (gulp).     UPDATE: Signed up for Wool Capitol Tri - olympic length with a 1500M swim and 10 K run.  big Gulp  :o

158 lbs still.  this could mean that after months of exercising and eating right I've finally dropped a pound or two.  That's good because I have this budda belly that is just extra weight.

Long ride tonight 2 &1/2 hrs.  Kind of excited about that It will be my longest training ride to date -- progress.  Back still only 70%, calf sore, almost like I had a charlie horse from running yesterday.  Got to leave the office soon.  need to go to the LBS for MS150 jersey, and a new cassett they ordered for  me.  Also need to wash the spilled energy gel off my bike from the last ride.

 Wind 20 to 30mph.  caught the fast group going into the wind, and wasn't sure I'd have enough energy to keep up, but once in the draft I kept up for another 20 min or so.  I rode way harder and way faster with them then I would have myself.  I finally dropped and rode by myself for about 40min, then just as I turned directly into the hard wind coming back, Gene caught me, and pulled most of the way - we did take turns- back.  Let's see he pulled at 17mph I pulled at ~13-15mph.  but still it was a very much more enjoyable ride back in.  The way I look at it, he got double rest - 1) he was in the draft 2) he was riding much slower to boot.  Anyway, and again I rode much much harder with him than I would have by myself.  Thanks Gene.  MS 150 on Saturday - everyone is excited.

did a very short run brick after the bike. Major Gumby legs.

Rest day today.  Back is  starting to feel better,  and I biked in to work today - mostly thanks to the summer bike to work challenge.  It sure would have been easy enough, with meeting this morning and back ~70%, to drive in.  Glad I rode the bike.

I started work on a why and how to use gears for absolute beginners.

I did not make it to the pool in time for the hour work out that my training plan calls for.  Just stayed at work too long.  My daughter is not feeling well and I spent the rest of the evening with her at the Doc-in-the-box.  Then at my house. 

Did you ever notice sometimes swimming is booring?  This was the first swim workout I ever felt that way.  Maybe because the open water swim is... more challenging?  ... more interesting?  Maybe I just had my mind on other things.  It was a good swim though.  Worked on gliding.