My goodness, I'm tired today.  And I cannot remember my legs being this sore in years.  But I rode 75 miles Saturday - the farthest I've ever ridden, and again on Sunday.  The MS bike ride was awesome.  Riding in a peleton is quite a unique experience.  On our Wednesday rides ususally several of us ride together, but it's not the same as riding in a group of 8 to 20.  Quite a bit of the way yesterday we rode in a double line.  The group riding requires concentration, and we rode way faster than I would have by myself, but being a part of the informal cooperative group was sure fun. Riding in a double line allows for visiting, which gives you time to get to know your fellow riders.  We did hook up with some guys for a while who just didn't cooperate well, so we let them take off before us at one of the rest stops.  It was an awesome ride in many respects.  The support from the MS society and the many many vollunteers was unbelievable.  The ride itself was challenging, but there was so much support that it was really fun.  We had wonderful weather - instead of being sunny and 100 plus degrees, it was overcast, and we started riding in 70 degree weather each day.  We rode through rain for about an hour on and off on the first day.  But the beauty of it was, that it did not get cold.  The toughest part for me was from about mile 50 to 65 on day two.  I was really out of energy and strength, additionally earlier in the ride I had spent a lot of time chasing the new guys who would not ride a consistant pace.  There is a fairly major climb from the last rest stop at ~ mile 65.  I just rested at that last stop for a while.  It turned out to be tough, but very doable.  I could use some lower gears though. The last 8 or so miles were all downhill and much fun with speeds up to 35mph.  Saturday coming into the last 20 miles or so we chased each other around a bit, what fun.  I was amazed to have that much strength and energy left.  Sunday I questioned my decision to do that, but it was really one of the really fun parts of the ride.

Highlights: the chase, riding in a large group, pressing on through the rain, the rest stop vollunteers, the great folks I rode with, going fast, going fast, the downhills, the last climb as a test of strength and fortitude, the weather.

I'm really excited now, having completed two back to back 5.5 hour days that the endurance required for the Oly Triathlon should be easily doable.  1/2 IM bike distance is well within my grasp now.  I'm still a long way from IM distance, but making small steps in that direction.

Lessons: don't chase inexperienced riders.  chamois butter is good stuff, take nutrition for after the ride, bring protien for during the ride, drink more earlier.  I think my handle bars are too low.  Should have fixed them before the ride ( little fingers still tingling.)  train more weekly miles before the event - it wasn't bad, but could have been better.

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.