Strong like Bull

I wish! I know I'm pushing it, and now my calf is screaming at me to stop. I'm putting in measly mileage, and still my body's rebelling. Guess you can only do what you can do. I'll probably have to cut out the running for a while and hope I've got some fitness to carry me through these next races - it's either that or stop running 4 miles into any race. Ok for sprints, but crappy for anything else.

Had a pretty good bike today - Got done with a lap at my favorite biking place, Flatwoods, and after 12.5 had an average of 21.4mph. It was overcast this morning so no harsh sun or any wind to speak of, so it was a great day for a time trial. That first lap was a psudo warmup - I saw the speed and thought that today was the day to go for the elusive 22. After my 83 mile ride on Tuesday, I really didn't think I had it in me.

Good 'ol Jetpack met me out at Suncoast Trail 2 days ago right on time to start up our long ride - and right away he tells me to "be easy on me". Now if I wasn't the nice guy that I am, that statement would be an invitation to thouroughly lay waste to the Jetliner, but I'm the kindler, gentler Bigun now. So, we rode at the pace of one of those old airliners with the prop engines - in all reality, it was the perfect base ride for the Bigun. The Jetster hung in there just fine for the whole ride - look out Wildflower, Mr. Jet just made a big deposit...

On the way home from the ride, my Cousin Ann from Ohio calls and gives me the details, already arranged with Mrs. B, for today's golf game in Orlando - about 70 miles from where we live. I had time to get home and shower, let the girls out and pack the clubs before Di got home and we made haste to the land of the Giant Rat. From 4 - 8 yesterday, the Big Guy played an impressive round of golf - my semi-annual round it seems these days - and shot a fantasticly fun 97. Not so much fun to start playing golf again...

Of course we have a few drinks and a very late-night steak (they are on vacation, so time is meaningless - we've got to work the next day) and don't get back home until 12:30am. I tried swimming at noon the next day (yesterday) and at 500 yards the tank was empty. I fought it for another 250 yards, but I just made it worse. I went to lunch with Bacon, another work/riding buddy, and he said my face was all pale and could see I needed food fast.

Is this boring? Seems pretty boring to me. Anyway...I didn't figure I had a chance of hitting 22mph today for a 40k TT, but I felt very strong heading out into that last lap. I had long stretches of 23 - 24mph, and it never got below 22 except for sharp turns. With about 2.5 miles to go, the Garmin flipped over to 22mph - and I hung on for last little bit to finish right there at 22. I guess the real significance to all this is that my St. Anthony's bike goal is 22.2mph (1:05), and this ride puts that goal in the doable range.

I cooled off with another 12.5m lap, really slow pace, and then did a 6 mile brick run that re-fried my calf. Now you are all caught up with the Bigun's training. I've been a little destracted with life and business lately, so the blog has suffered. Guess that happens...