Well, I kinda felt tired this afternoon and nearly bagged the workout. But, it was just SOOO nice out that I didn't really have any good excuse not to get out and ride as planned. Took it kinda easy but what I'm doing on the hills I would say is a slow progression and adaptation. I'm taking them at a low cadence and relatively high gear, as long as I don't stop completely. So, trying to add resistence and get my legs stronger. I think along with weights, I may be able to get a bit of power and build of leg muscle. Now in August, I have to add some quickness here and there too I believe. Tomorrow unless the train is REALLY late, I will go to the gym and then do a perimeter run around Ft. Friday I'm unsure...short ride? Trail run??? Sat I want to do this long ride I'm planning Sunday long run

There are just some days things don't quite go according to plan. Train was WAY late getting home, set my plans askew, and demotivated me. Storms were in the area, though discovered later they stayed away. On top of that, kinda tired. Tried to spin inside, but just couldn't. Decided to take a down day and start again tomorrow.

Recovery day and I need it after the weekend. Decided on a bit of yoga this evening. Tomorrow, weights and a perimeter run if weather cooperates Wed - ride Thurs repeat of Tues Friday - ride but not completely sure Sat - long ride Sun - long run

As planned, I was going to do a long run today. However, I just wanted to do something different than than the C&O, the WMRT, or the W&OD. I thought about trail running at Gambril, but I just wasn't up to trail running today. Then for some reason, I thought about the North Central Railroad (NCR) rail trail. This trail extends 20+ miles north of Baltimore where it connects to the York County Heritage (YCH) rail trail in Pennsylvania, extending another 20+ miles to York, PA. Nearly 90 miles roundtrip. Now the NCR was my first long rail trail ride on a heavy hybrid probably 11-12 years ago. This would be the first time that I have visited the trail since then. Though about an hour's drive away, I wasn't doing anything else today and decided to just do it. Got to the south trailhead parking lot (really about 0.5 miles from the trailhead itself) and found a spot. Almost didn't as it was understandibly crowded with lots of folks out riding or walking. Interestingly, there weren't many runners at this time, more a bit later. So go situated and set out. I was going to go just about 6.6 miles out to Monkton. Trail was very nice and shaded, though it really wasn't too hot, mid 80s with a breeze and some clouds. I thought the surface was more crushed gravel but it was actually quite hard, almost cement like and one could attempt to ride a road bike here (though I wouldn't). Perhaps they did some trail work to make it more durable with time. There are a lot of the old railroad markers still here and even a train track light beyond mile 4. I set out about a 9 something pace and was feeling quite good going out. Before I knew it, I arrived at Monkton. There is an old rail station here that's now a visitor's center and has bathrooms/water. However, I was dismayed to find the water fountain didn't work. Now after a short break, I decided that I was feeling so good that I wanted to do more. Got out to the mile 9 marker and decided that was enough. I was tempted to try for 20, but had just enough sense to realize that might be a bit much. So headed back. At Monkton again, stopped at the Cafe/Deli there to get some water. Then headed back. Now until mile 3 marker, I was feeling pretty good and probably going sub-9. But, started to lose some steam after this. Maintained around a 9 pace but it was getting a bit more difficult. I really haven't run past 13 in a while. Glad to see the 1 mile marker come up and back at the parking lot shortly afterwards. Felt okay but feet were bothering me. Right knee bothered me a bit later. Grabbed some chocolate milk and something else to drink for the ride home. Tomorrow is a rest day. Tues Weights and light run Wed Ride (Morning swim?) Thurs repeat of Tues Fri ride Sat long ride Sun long run

Well, I'm glad Savageman isn't today and I have a few more months to prepare. Thought I did better last week but I think I also took things much easier and also starting earlier didn't wear on me quite as much then. Still, I'm more tired than I think I should be for this ride and distance. Anyway, I had decided yesterday to ride the 45 mile Washington Co loop I like to do from time to time, but then thought I should tack on more mileage and more hills. So, leaving from home instead of driving to the Park N Ride to start the ride. Decided on tackling Reno Monument at least on the way out and decide where to recross into Frederick Co on the way back. It's definitely a climb over a mountain. Rewarded with a great downhill either way. Actually, I didn't think going out that the climb was all that bad considering I remember having to walk a heavier hybrid a little bit up the there when I first started cycling. I did get in my granny gear but that didn't last too long and rest of way I was able to shift up. The rest of the ride was pleasant enough with no real problems, though a guy on a cell phone almost didn't stop at a stop sign and I was afraid he was going to cut me off as I was coming down this one hill. Fortunately, he saw me and stopped before anything happened. Fairly overcast and a bit breezy this afternoon, though the sun did try to make an apperance, especially later. Not sure why but I started to get rather tired and inner quads were bothering me later. I might not have been doing well with my nutrition/hydration. Had to actually stop at one point in the shade to take both in for a moment. Now coming back, I debated tackling Reno Monument again or going longer and not having to climb like that again. RM is steeper coming back but it's not as long. Decided I needed steep and went for it. Gosh, who's idea was this again?? It was slow going back up but steady progress the whole way and rewarded with a nice downhill. Short ride back home. Tomorrow I'm debating some run options. I could just do the C&O but I'm think of something different. Problem is it would take a bit to drive to. Well, decide tomorrow.

Only had time for a quick out and back run from the house due to evening event preparations. Not bad for not doing hills for a while. Actually, I didn't even feel like I had gone for a run after I was done though I did get the heart pumping on some of the hills. Weird. Tomorrow, hoping to do the 45 mile Wash Co ride I liked to do sometimes. Sunday, longish run on the C&O? Maybe weights first? Monday, might not rest since I did so Thursday, but will see.

Just a note that I'm never going to reach a better power-to-weight ratio on the bike if I snack as much as I did last evening while watching TV! I will see if I can figure out what to do here. Maybe telling myself to drink more water if I feel like snacking and writing this on my reminder board. Perhaps just going downstairs and hopping on the trainer for a while too. Anything to get away from mindless eating! More later I hope...