I finished the last update preparing for three big tests.  100 mile TT, long run the next day, and an Olympic distance race the next weekend.  I had some up and down weeks of training, but the up days made me feel like I was really fit.  However, when I was having a bad stretch I felt like I was not fit enough to recover.  I knew I was not losing fitness, but recovery is a big part of fitness.  I had a good week leading into the first hard weekend.  Good swim workouts all week, my best run workout in a long time, good power on the bike, followed with plenty of recovery days.  I ate well, drank well, slept well, and was ready to go Saturday morning.

I woke up that Saturday when Rocco was scratching at the door to go outside.  Immediately, I knew I was running behind because I either didn't hear my alarm, or it was mysteriously turned off by the person who sleeps on that side of the bed.  Either way, it was time to get rolling.  I was up, eating breakfast, and on the road pretty quick.  A short 30-40 minute drive, pump up the tires, and I was ready to roll in Clarksville.  It's a mostly flat ride, but it can be windy.  The best part about starting an hour late is you will get to ride it all by yourself.  No chance of any packs getting in the way.  There are always close calls when you're passing people at 23-26 mph.  I even gave the ACME Amateur, Eric, a scare standing still when we were stopped at an aid station at the same time.  (I could tell he was wondering why we were at that stop at the same time) The ride got very windy in parts.  There was a lot of head/crosswind.  But guess what?  I'll see those same strong winds in Kona, so I was happy to fight it out.  I had a strong day.  I felt great out on the QR CD0.1 that day, managed my watts in the beginning, took in plenty of calories, and was able to finish well.  No issues with the wind, and I know I was making time on aerodynamics alone.  1-0 by my count.

Sunday was the big run, and another test of not only fitness, but also my Kona race shoes the K-Swiss Blade Light.  I knew I would be a little tired from putting in a strong ride the day before, but like I said, I was checking on my recovery too.  I stalled a little on the run, because I wanted the temperature to rise, but also I didn't want to fail.  I had a huge confidence boost riding on this run.  However, I always say races don't win themselves, so I was out the door.  The course was two, one hour laps around my house, and if I felt good I would put in a little extra, but finishing a strong two hours was the goal.  Starting out I felt really good, and I focused on holding back, keeping good posture, high cadence, and consistence pace.  The first lap ticked off, and I was right back where I started.  Time for a drink and Powergel, and out for lap two.  I held a consistent pace the first lap, basically knocking off even splits every mile.  The second lap started just like the first ended, consistent miles, but I could feel the urge put in some work.  Starting around mile 10-11, I started taking time out of each mile.  The back side of the loop is slightly uphill for about two miles so I had one mile that was a little slower, but after that I was still taking out time, and trying to decide how much more time I would run, since two hours was going to be a walk in the park.  By the time I was back home again, I was running under 6:50 pace, but still felt very strong.  Another drink and Powergel, and I decided I would just run 20 miles since I was so close.  A few more miles down, and I was finished with 20 in 2:25.  It was the fastest I have run 20 in training ever, and to feel that good was a massive confidence boost!  It was relatively easy, and I had plenty left in the tank.  2-0 for those keeping score.

Monday was Labor Day, and I was very happy to have a day off from the shop.  We had a killer holiday swim workout, but I took the rest of the day pretty easy.  Leslie and I relaxed, and spent time at the dog park with Rocco.  He loves it!  The rest of the week was filled with some recovery along with one day of good bike intervals, easy runs, and again good swim workouts.  I could tell I was coming around, my confidence was high, and I was looking forward to a hard weekend.

By Thursday Allen and I were getting ready to go back on the road to the Alabama Coastal Triathlon in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  ACME is a sponsor, and would be traveling down to set up a shop and do bike support.  Of course I was racing, so I had to add that to the weekend.  We were up early Friday and hit the road at 5am.  We were in Gulf Shores and setting up at 1:30, and the store was open at 3.  We were working outside, and staying hydrated and eating was important, especially to me.  We were there selling until after 7, and were finished reloading after 8, eating dinner after 9, and in bed after 10.  We were up and at the race site at 5.  I had to help change a few flats, and get some bikes ready, but by 6 I had to get going on my own race.  My "other" day was starting.

To me, this was another big test, and I was taking it serious.  When an opportunity comes along, I believe you only have a small amount of time to grab it and wrestle it to the ground........or not.  I will count this race as a missed opportunity.  I paid dearly for working all day Friday out in the sun, and on my feet.  I have worked expos since the store opened and our number one rule is "Do not work an expo and race the same weekend".  However, this year most of my chances to race have been the ones that we are working, and I have to try.  I failed at each one this year.  I was dehydrated and lacked calories all day.  I knew during the swim that I was in for a long day, but I thought I could get on the bike and eat and drink my way back to a decent finish.  I hit the wall hard around mile 19 on the bike, and struggled to get back into transition.  I was in 3rd or 4th at that time, so I decided to run, just in case everyone else bonked and I could move up.  I was trying to stay positive, and battling some demons even in a short race.  Plus, I did not have the heart to DNF.  Not my best decision.  I walked every aid station trying to drink everything they had on the table.  My run splits got slower each mile, and I was in full bonk mode around mile 2-3.  I hobbled in, and was so embarrassed by my performance.  Not only for myself, but also for my supporters.  I felt like I finished a half IM, and passed out for about 2 hours when we got back to the condo.  Final score 2-1.

I have been working on recovery since that weekend.  The few workouts I completed this week have been pretty poor performances, and at this point I need to get healthy again before I can push the limit again.  There are only a few days left for good quality workouts left, and I'm hoping to make the best of them.