My, my... Where does the time go? Just the other day it seems like I was in Moab, finishing up a tougher-than-I-thought 55k. I felt like I was running the streets of San Francisco with all the relentless ups and downs on slickrock. It was great to be out there and beautiful scenery in the wide-open desert, but I'll take an alpine forest singletrack over all that rock. Or a mountain bike. I finished with a pretty-well-hammered set of knees and a bit of frustration over how I finished the last 5 mile descent (in slow-motion), but I had been putting in some good solid weeks of training up til then and only gave myself a five or six day taper so, looking back, I probably should have gone a bit more on the rest to give my knees a break leading up to the race, but all things considered, it was a great early season event.
I decided to give myself a couple weeks off afterward and since that race, I have stayed true to my plan having only run twice in the two and a half weeks since then. And due to some early warming taking place in the region, I've also been able to get the road bike out a few times on the weekends and get some decent early riding in. Last Saturday, after work, I did a two hour ride from Ririe, ID to Kelly Canyon Ski Area and back (including two laps up the hill to the ski area) for a total around 35 miles. Then, on Sunday, I rode from Swan Valley, ID to Alpine, WY along Palisades Reservoir for three hours and a total of around 60 miles. That one incorporated a number of 200-300 ft hills along the way and by the time I was halfway back, I really began to feel the tiredness in my legs. It's been since last October that I've done back-to-back rides with any kind of intensity. Whew. Felt great to be out on wheels. Getting excited for next month's Pole Pedal Paddle in Jackson. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve for this one. Stay tuned.
As for March, I plan on getting out on the Teton River this Saturday after work to get reaccustomed to wobbling in a kayak. Then, on Sunday, I plan on heading to Pocatello for my own private duathlon: A bike ride on the roads surrounding the city, then a run up City Creek, which should be mostly clear of snow on the lower parts and maybe up higher on the windswept ridges. I'd like to make it a longish day: at least three hours on the bike and four to five on the run.
Other than that, it's been pretty low-key. Me and the dog. Hanging out. Looking forward to warmer temps and dirt under our paws.
I decided to give myself a couple weeks off afterward and since that race, I have stayed true to my plan having only run twice in the two and a half weeks since then. And due to some early warming taking place in the region, I've also been able to get the road bike out a few times on the weekends and get some decent early riding in. Last Saturday, after work, I did a two hour ride from Ririe, ID to Kelly Canyon Ski Area and back (including two laps up the hill to the ski area) for a total around 35 miles. Then, on Sunday, I rode from Swan Valley, ID to Alpine, WY along Palisades Reservoir for three hours and a total of around 60 miles. That one incorporated a number of 200-300 ft hills along the way and by the time I was halfway back, I really began to feel the tiredness in my legs. It's been since last October that I've done back-to-back rides with any kind of intensity. Whew. Felt great to be out on wheels. Getting excited for next month's Pole Pedal Paddle in Jackson. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve for this one. Stay tuned.
As for March, I plan on getting out on the Teton River this Saturday after work to get reaccustomed to wobbling in a kayak. Then, on Sunday, I plan on heading to Pocatello for my own private duathlon: A bike ride on the roads surrounding the city, then a run up City Creek, which should be mostly clear of snow on the lower parts and maybe up higher on the windswept ridges. I'd like to make it a longish day: at least three hours on the bike and four to five on the run.
Other than that, it's been pretty low-key. Me and the dog. Hanging out. Looking forward to warmer temps and dirt under our paws.
1 comment:
T-Rex,
Glad to hear the knees are mending nicely. Have a great weekend on the bike and run. I'll be doing the same...although not back-to-back.
T
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