That good news began to peak it's head into the picture when I finally got my bike after the awards ceremony on Sunday. Beginning to pedal after putting the gear bag on my back and climbing onto the bike I had the feeling of "Hey, this isn't so bad." It was actually a pleasant ride back to the Schuckies who let me stay as a guest for the tri. And then on Monday morning I was able to enjoy a 1.5 hour easy ride. In the evening I did not dread going to the pool, at which I had a very pleasant, generally steady state, hour swim (actually swam too hard at times). The final test was being able to enjoy getting out with Charlie Gray this morning for a run workout. He's only 3 years younger than I and a much better runner. He took me on a route where we did uphill tempo runs at various spots. Though I faded badly behind him the first mile of the first 1.3 tempo run was 6:38 uphill. That's pretty good for me after a race working uphill.
So, is there hope for 2012? Yeah, some. I'll never get my cycling up to par after having extended my racing season too long last year and then not doing the usual long winter mtb rides on the desert trails I live nearby. Quite surprisingly, my run in Sunday's tri was the 3rd fastest 5K among men placing in the various 50+ age groups. (I'm 61.)
This Sunday it's finally back into the Xterra world when I and a sold-out field of other fun-loving folks do the Xterra in Curt Gowdy State Park of southern Wyoming, between Cheyenne and Laramie.
Oh, I made a commitment to Susanne Divelbiss (local owner/head coach of the Pueblo Swim Club) to do nothing but left-side breathing in the swim for 30 days. Whoops, after speaking I then remembered the upcoming tri. I was particularly worried about directional open water control while breathing from the left side. It worked out fine, surprisingly. My swim was a bit slower than if I'd done my standard right-side breathing I think, but who knows, I had fun focusing on this challenging change and I still beat my "miracle" time predict for the Tri. (I always enjoy projecting 3 times before an event: (1) a "miracle time, (2) a "I really should make this time" time and (3) a "if I'm not back by this time then come looking for me" time.)
