What to do, what to do

Rode the Bike Psychos 200k yesterday, in my fastest time ever (126 miles in 6:53). It helped that it was an absolutely gorgeous day (upper 70's / low 80's but 60's at the start), and I had rabbits for the first 70 miles. I tried to keep up with Jeff at the start, but knew I couldn't hold his pace without seriously blowing up. This was only my 2nd 100+ mile ride this year! Jeff led us out at an aggressive pace, and I was also a bit cold, so it was fun to be cold (but it felt nice) and feel my heart just about jumping out of my chest.

I forgot how this ride isn't really all that flat, and that makes it fun. I especially forgot that on some of the nice downhills, you can't see what's ahead because of the curves, and then I got stuck in the big chainring climbing up at the end. But at least I was prepared for the Vermillion River climb on the 200K loop. Since I really haven't ridden any hills this year, I was pleased that my climbing skills weren't totally in the dumpster.

Whereas last Sunday when I rode about 93 miles and my quads were feeling wasted about 90 miles in, yesterday I felt just great the entire time. Jeff introduced me to some other CMF's (Crazy Mother Fuckers) who are doing the Virginia Triple Iron in early October (Kamil and Chuck), and they were having trouble hanging with Jeff, too, but we rode together for the 200k loop, and they invited me to do another loop since they were shooting for 150 miles total. While I could have done it (and now I think I'm stupid for not doing it), I decided not to in the interest of maybe having a busy day at work today and having pushed my own recent envelope a bit.

So after 70 miles were done, I just focused on collecting "targets" (riders ahead of me) as best I could. Gotta stay motivated somehow! We did have some wind on the way back, and while I wanted to push less into the wind, I didn't want to spend any more time out there than necessary.

At the second to last aid station, the volunteers were drinking Corona's, and I remarked how cruel that was, but on the other hand, I had cold ones waiting for me at home, so the sooner I finished, the sooner I'd get my reward (WILL RIDE FOR BEER!). I did stop at the last aid station just to get water, and wanted to ride the remainder with others, but couldn't find anyone who could keep my pace, so I let some go and then caught and passed them. Then I was looking at my watch thinking I might beat my best time if I kept pushing. So even when I was only a mile from the end, I was going as fast as I could at that point, kept passing people, and I succeeded in beating my time at this course by a few minutes. I was also motivated by the promise of ice cream sandwiches at the end, but they were out, so I settled for a popsicle, that turned out to be a nice treat anyway.

I've had a lot of fun "not training" a lot for the last 11 weeks, and in a way I feel guilty that I'm not doing something "big" anytime soon. Meeting some CMF's who are more "C" than me only intensified that feeling. I could ramp up for an Ironman in 8 weeks or maybe even do the Double Iron in October, but I still seem to be good with where I'm at right now. I am starting to think about my original 2012 plan which was Ironman Lanzarote and then Furnace Creek 508 (and maybe also Ultraman Hawaii). I can see gearing up for Ironman distance over the winter (less biking but more swimming and running), then bumping up the bike mileage (as I always do over the summer anyway).

All I know is that I've really enjoyed this summer with no pressure on me to do anything, and I'd like to continue that through October. Maybe a few running races just to convince me I can start running more, and then settle in with the treadmill for the winter and the trainer, although the prospect of that is totally depressing right now. But, for me, training a lot in the winter makes it feel not so bad, plus I can sleep in a lot more on weekends.

I will just keep mulling over my options and look forward to going up to IMWI in 2 weeks to cheer on many friends. Whatever I decide to do will come to me. It feels good to be pretty fit and have options!