Now, training for Oceanside. I have been doing my own Tour of California on my bike (Gonzales) as that innagural ride up north in Ventura really sparked my motivation for getting ready for a strong year on the bike. That is right- 2008- a strong year on the bike. That is the mantra. After that 70 ride on Sunday, I followed it with a 65 mile ride into Simi Valley from my house, riding through Santa Susanna and up through Box Canyon. Not quite Balcom Canyon, but still- respectful if you have ever done it. I also rode a very hilly ride around the SCV- taking Sand Canyon, through Placerita, and back again- up through Sierra Canyon, up San Fernando Rd..and back again. Another 55 miles. I was also doing some solid LT workouts on the indoor trainer, in addition to a few bricks that week (that was last week).
This week, my focus was more on the running, even though I was still able to put in at least 120 miles on my bike outside. I had a great brick the other day- PR'ing my 31 mile loop in 55 degrees, windy SCV weather, followed by a 30 mile run, in which Coach Alwyn Cosgrove said, "it looks like you hurt right now" as I finished at the gym. I liked that- in fact, it did hurt. I had a great workout.
Today, I also had a great workout- with a friend of mine, a talented 9:20 IM athlete, Grant Folske. We ran about 5.5 miles fairly hard, and it felt great. Legs a bit tired from the week, but ready to go again tomorrow- distance. I want to keep at least a 7:45 min/mile pace on my 10+ mile runs and I feel like I could do that tomorrow. I have not done too well with my swimming, but that is the last event that I need to improve upon. So, I am really focusing on what needs to be done- and that is riding harder, and running fast off the bike. LT baby, LT.
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CONGRATS TO MY SIS, TAYLOR LILLEY (goducks.com) FOR BEATING UCLA TODAY!!! YOU ROCK! LOVE YOU...
"If I am in pain, I can't imagine how the other people are feeling"