In Austin

Got into Austin last night, got the rental car and got to the hotel, spent some time looking for a grocery store which was harder then I thought, but eventually found one.

Today I went to the race site and swam, it was choppy but I think that will be beneficial for me. When I took my wheel out of the case I realized there was a little dent with what seemed like a crack as well, maybe it is time for a new disk wheel, I guess I will just have to win this weekend to be able to afford it.

I drove the bike course today as well, it was tough to follow, I did not have a map and when I tried to print one off at the hotel it did not work. So I was driving around with my computer open to the web page, I had a few wrong turns but I got through it all.

Until then it is resting up which I have been doing a lot lately but it is a welcome break from the last few weeks.

I know this was boring but I am pretty board, oh well, Sunday will be exciting.

Later

Cold Cross Ride

Had a great cross ride today. The last long hard ride needed to be changed up do to cold temps and strong winds, I knew I would be able to get a better workout riding the cross bike through the hills. Nat Faulkner came up for the ride as well. Started off cold as we headed down the escarpment for the first time, we realized that there was still snow on the ground from the night before proving that it was really cold out!! Even right at the end of the ride at 3:30 there was still snow in the shade. Seems kind of early for snow to hang around all day but you get what you get. We weaved around all the roads finding all the hills we could, the pic is of Lavender Hill just outside of Dunedin, those who think Southern Ontario is flat ask me to take you for a ride and I will show you otherwise. During the ride Nat and I came up with the idea to create a cross century ride through the hill. We are thinking that this year will be small among friends but if they like it we might try to grow it, it is one of the best places I have ever ridden, single lane gravel roads up and down the escarpment with switch backs and 80km/h gravel descents with trails and paved roads thrown in as well.

Just over a week until Austin and I am feeling really good, I had my best run workout of the year yesterday and I have been feeling great on the bike, one last race then I get to spend some good time getting the personal best coaching off the ground.

Later

Update

Not much to update on, the last 2 weeks have been some really hard training and with the weather starting to get cold it can be pretty tough sometimes to get out. I have not been dry on a bike ride in 2 weeks and with temps around 10 the long rides get cold. On the flip side though it is perfect running weather!! I am going to keep training hard for the next 2 weeks then start to rest for the last race of the season in Austin Texas, I have had some of the best weeks of training of my life so I am hoping for a good race.

On a different note, Krystal after a lot of time spent volunteering signed on with the Peel school board and is now officially a teacher! No one worked harder then her to get her spot and it proves that when you want something enough just keep working hard and things will happen.

Just started to rain again glad I am done training for the day. I am actually looking forward to the snow!!

Update

Another good week of training. It took a few days to recover from the race but I am feeling really good now. Tyler Lord and I put in a great day on friday but just our luck, after 3 weeks without rain in Caledon we get poured on. The last time I had to ride in the rain was when I last rode with Tyler up at my cottage.

Today I swam in the quarry but I had the rude awakening when I had to scrape the frost off my car before I could drive there. The swim felt kind of surreal though, it was so calm and there was steam coming up from the water I wish I had a camera but I didn't so you will have to take my word.

Tomorrow is the Kinetico 10miler followed by the Kids race, so far we have 800 kids racing, we were hoping for 1000 to set the new canadian record but that might have to wait until next year, still 800 is pretty good.

I was able to get a few more pics of the Muskoka race courtesy of Jen Coombs so thanks Jen for taking them.