Ward

Boise 70.3 is coming up, just 4 weeks away. I know I was a lot more stressed about the half ironman last year than I am now. I guess signing up for a race twice that distance puts everything into perspective. My swim and run are stronger than last year and if I can manage to stay healthy I think I can have a good race. My only concern is the bike. Last year I had 2 summer months more of lots of biking, this year I feel like I'm trying to jam a lot into 6 weeks.

Today's ride will have to qualify as my big ride of the season. Myself and some ex-tribabes rode to Ward. It's a scenic 17 mile climb, which ends around 9,000 feet. Apparently it's still winter up there:



And Ward has its own nutty personality. Where else in America does a man walk to the General Store with his family and his GIANT SNIPER RIFLE? The no shirt in 40 degree weather seems extraneous after that.



The descent was extremely chilly but we all survived. We added a little mileage out on the plains. My ride ended up being 66 miles, 4:40 long. Not including a final Chipotle stop.

Other workout highlights from the week:

- On Wednesday I took my first spin class in a decade (due to some mid-May snow). I think I'm good for another 10 years. It was dark and hot and boring. Spinning is pure workout, lacking just about everything I love about riding. Next inclimate weather day I will either pony up the $20 for the open riding at the track on ride my rollers at home. At least I can choose my own music, and there is no AC/DC on my iPod.

- Thursday - D3 Run - Hill Workout. Enough said.

- Friday - D3 Swim. A diabolical set - 10 x 100 with 10 push-ups between each. That's 100 push-ups, folks. About 75 more than I ever do on my own (you know, like maybe I do once a week). Finished off with 10 x 75 with 10 leg lifts at one end and 5 dips at the other. I had no idea I used my lats for push-ups but that was the most sore part this weekend.

Weekly Totals:

Swim: 9000 yards
Bike: 124 miles (18 "miles" during a spin class)
Run: 19.6 miles

Total: 15:30