Hills Hills Hills

Yes it was a very successful weekend of training. Friday and Sunday included long runs with a lot of hill repeats. I got in around 26 miles of running in those 2 days. I really enjoyed running out there. Weather was perfect. The pounding of the up and downs will require me to take a couple days recovery. On Saturday I went on one of the best rides I've had yet. Perfect weather again. I started the ride at mile marker 65 and rode to mile marker 23. Ended up doing about 83 miles. I broke a personal record of being on the bike for 4 hrs and 45 minutes. It took about 2 hrs 45 mins for the first half of the ride. Basically climbing up for a good 2/3 of the time. I'm not quite sure the catagory those climbs are in. Also hit 46 mph going down at one point, which is another record for me. Watching the Tour De France Saturday morning before I left was a little motivation. Nutrition included 1 clif bar, 2 power bars, 2 Nutella sandwiches, 3 bottles of Accelerade, and a lot of water. I under estimated the amount of water I would need on those mountains. The temps were in the high 80s. Luckily around mile marker 35 there was a rangers post where I could fill up water bottles. I guess if worst came to worst I could have filled up my bottles in the creeks. Now it's back to the hot, humid, swampy, windy rides here in Virginia Beach.

Saturday night we had a tasty dinner with some of the Family. It was fun, but I was super tired after that ride.

Other than training I watched the Tour De France most of the time. Saturdays race was amazing. That Mt Ventoux climb was insane. Really awesome seeing Lance hold onto his 3rd place podium postion. It was very cool seeing Armstrong and Contador work together against the Shleck brothers on that climb. There was no doubt though that Contador was the best cyclist out there. But the fact that Armstrong came in 3rd is absolutely incredible. I dont' think people understand how amazing it is for him to be out of cycling for 3 years and then return to the top elite after a year of training. I can't wait for next year! Lance will be teaming up with Radio Shack this time. I read the following of the TDF increased over 50% this year because of Armstrong. It was definatly like old times again seeing him out there.

Finally, here are some of the Race Pictures from the 3Sports Tri in Richmond...

Some pics I found taken a couple weeks ago ... Sand castle time, Conner and Me and Fritz and Amy. Me and Thom before a little ride.