Commuting

When the others went for coffee after the swim this morning I went to work. It is just 15 km from the Civic pool to Stromlo. Almost took a kangaroo head on as i turned into the crit track at Stromlo. They seem to have about the same level of traffic intelligence as a reindeer. None. Or more like "look - there is something moving on the road - let's get in front of it!"

As i turned the alarm on and the light out tonight I found myself alone in a very dark Stromlo Forest Park. Only the stars (and the kangaroos lurking on the side of the road) saw me roll out through the gate.

Have just improvised some banana bread and noticed that the reigning Cross Country World Champion posted a comment on the events Facebook page. He needs help to find rollers for training here in Canberra. Just get out and ride Sauser!

When I came home tonight Nico had already popped the "Cyclo Zen" disc into the computer. Yep, you might have guessed it, Yoga for cyclists.

One good day of training

Yesterday was a good day. 120 km in the spring sun. A fantastic muffin and latte in Collector and lunch at Kingston Grind after a short run. 

I can feel the difference riding the new bike. Everything is just a little bit smoother and I struggle less too keep up with the boys, even in the hills. 

It will take some adjusting for me to find the good, comfortable position though. We bought a shorter stem (to get the handle bars closer to me) and pushed the saddle about as far forward as possible. That should help. I also got my first aero bar attached to my ride. So now all I need to do is use it. A lot. 

Should have done a long run today but since i was up at 4 am this morning (after just 2 1/2 h sleep) doing a speech via gmail video chat at my very good friends wedding in Sweden, I didn't get up until 10. And thats when I got the first call from work ... 

Will try to get up in the but ass crack of dawn tomorrow to get that run in before i go to work. 

I am REALLY tired in the morning

Arrived at the meeting point for the bunch ride this morning in Dickson, on the other side of town, and people were looking at me a little strange. I was wearing my uber cool glasses and Swedish army socks ... but come on! 

Then one compassionate human being rolled up to me and said: you forgot your helmet. I look at Nico, he looks at me - at my head, my hands touch my head ... yep, she is right, I forgot my helmet. The compassionate persons next comment was: it's probably not a good idea to ride in a bunch without a helmet. HELL NO! It's not a good idea to ride at all without a helmet. 

I feel like an ass, turn by wheels around and peddal back home again. Praying that I won't crack my skull open or get fined before I get home. 

Then I went for a run in Red Hill. Without a helmet. 

Todays conclusion: At 5.30 in the morning I am stupid and my boyfriend is blind. Or as my mum might have put it, "you are lucky that your head is attached to your shoulders, or you would forget it!"

I was swimming with the Exeed squad last night. Haven't been there for a long time but it felt good, even if I have to admit it was quite hard. Would be even better if they could install heaters in the change rooms!

New bike

Had a rest/work day yesterday. My body was feeling fine after Saturdays adventure but work is making my brain sore ...

Had a nice relaxing run this morning (maybe my inside was a little sore once I started bouncing it up and down again) with the view of the lake having it's usual effect. Weather it is glittering like gold as it was this morning, or completely invisible in the fog like last Friday, it always makes the creases on my forehead slightly less distinct.

I did something else yesterday. We did something else yesterday. We brought home a new member of the Remires/Axelsson bike family.

One piece of fine Swiss engineering is now parked next to the sofa. The black and white BMC Race master still hasn't had a chance to taste the road but it and it's very proud owner will be ready for a first spin before dawn. That owner being Nicolas. I am personally very pleased with being able to claim ownership of the Malvern Star (displayed by Nico in this photo). I have been riding for "real" less than 9 months, for me a good carbon bike is as good as another.

No love for Espresso Love

Today we simulated a half Ironman. Me, Nico and Pete planned to start off with a nice bomb dive at seven this morning. But there was a sign that said "No bombing" so we had to rethink that one.

Anyway. After 1.9 km in the pool we did an ultra long transition (by car) to Lennox Garden to meet up with some Exceed people for the normal Saturday bunch ride. It was a hilly one today. 90 km that included Mt Condor and Coppins Crossing made it's mark on the legs.

Getting of the bike I was feeling a tired and sore. And I really thought my legs might fail me.

As I started running i felt really good! The body stretching out, getting back into it's natural movement. But sure, I was a little tired after the ride and the swim so I figured I crack open a gel after about 7 k. BIG mistake.

I never had anything do something even remotely as horrible to my inside. First the pain, then the feeling of ... eh ... feeling sick. My eyes were franticly scanning for a toilet by now.

To my great relief I remembered one would be coming up shortly so I just clenched my teeth and soon arrived at my sanctuary. Back on track a minuet or so later I was thinking that hey, this might turn out to be a nice run after all. How wrong I was.

Maybe 3 k later tears were filling up my eyes. And I knew there were no salvation to be found for at least another 10 k. I had no choice. If the bears can do it, so can I.

Catching up to Pete for to the second time I was starting to feel slightly drained ...

As I reached the other side of the lake my intestines were begging me to just be put out of their misery. Dehydration was an understatement and it was just no fun anymore. A third pit stop at the yacht club (and a minute hunched over the drinking fountain) made me feel in control of my body enough to make it back to the parking.

And who names an energy gel Espresso Love anyway?!

Longing for open water

I cant wait for the lake to be warm enough to swim in! 

The Tuesday morning swim lasted for a little more than 1h and during that time I managed to push my body about 2.7 km forward. A little bit on my back, a little on the side, doing some drills, trying to get air from the left and right ... But in all honesty, it is hard for me to keep the excitement going lap after lap ... 

And I believe Civic pool had some issues with the filters or something. The water wasn't exactly crystal clear. 

Could have done with another lap around the lake

The Sunday run wasn't as long as it should have been. But the hour and 15 min I did manage to fit in was enough to take the edge of some of that lurking stress building up for the new work week commencing sunday afternoon already. Spent the afternoon and half the night in Canberra Centre putting up a display for the world champs. 

Tickets for Perth are purchased.