This week has been (almost) all about the bike. Alright, so I've been gushing on and on about my new bike. I know, I know . . . it's like when you were 11 years old and got a new toy to play with. I've just been riding and riding since I got it. However, I have done a few other things this week. As you can see in previous posts, I had a good swim workout with Texas Iron, and believe it or not, I ran almost 20 miles this week. That's up significantly from my previous week's total of about 5 miles. So, it's not ALL about the bike, but having said that, the last two days (including today) are going to be bike entries again. :)

Friday, March 16

Most of you reading this know that yesterday was my (and Steve's) birthday. We're 37 now, so only two more years of being in the most competitive division in triathlon . . . M35-39. I was going to take the day off, since it was my birthday and all, but there was just too much to do. Instead, I went into work a bit late and then took a 2-hour lunch to ride with Jason. We did a 26-mile ride and it was great. He's still killing me on the hills, but I think I'll get back into climbing shape again soon if I just keep at it.

Saturday, March 17

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I did the 30-mile ATC Taco Ride this morning . . . first one on the new bike, and man, was it fantastic!! I wore my Ireland Cycling jersey in honor of St. Paddy's Day. Admittedly, the group went out a little slower than usual, but it was still a great ride. I was hanging on to the tail end of the front pack for much of the ride up MoPac and the first half of Southwest Parkway. I did get dropped on the second hill, but the lead pack got stuck at a stoplight a few hundred yards up. I managed to catch up just as it turned green, so for the remainder of Southwest Parkway, I rode in the main part of the lead group! First time ever! It was great until near the end when my right shoe popped out of the pedal while we were climbing a slight incline up to Hwy 71. That slowed me down and I got dropped again. I finished up the first half of the ride with a second small pack of riders about a minute behind the lead group!

On the second half of the ride, Jason and I rode back with the lead guys. While I'm sure they were "taking it easy," I was still hanging on by a thread. It was a pretty fast return trip for me since I usually take it easy on the return trip. Although I'm beat from the ride, on the plus side, I finished up about 20 minutes faster than I usually do. The group's average was about 21.5 mph, which is pretty darn fast considering all the hills on the course. It was a great, great ride!