Of Mice and Marathons

PM: 63.7-mile ride. HR 144.

Had a very good ride. Good effort coming up the Dequindre hill @ 16.2 MPH and 327 watts. My third fastest and all other times were in a group.

PM: 11.2 miles, averaged 9:22. HR 155.

Broke out my trail shoes and went to Bald Mountain to run the trails for the first time (the north trails farther up than where Megan and I walked/hiked a few weeks ago). It was one of the best runs in recent memory. I started out not too impressed as it was supposed to be hilly and didn't see much for the first two miles and then it got fairly steep and hilly even if only for short climbs. I tried to do the full loop (about 6-7 miles) and circle back for a second loop but just ended up missing a turn, so I ran the loop backwards (in the direction of the mountain bikers). I made sure to give any mountain biker all the room they needed when I heard the wizz of a cassette. I think the guy that passed me appreciated that I was alert and he didn't even have to call out and that I moved completely off the trail.

Around 1:45 of running time and I hit some harder miles on the way back. I haven't spent this mich time on the trails since I left Philadelphia. This one works quite well for my purposes. Difficult enough without being out of my skill range (I'm definitely out of practice).

PM: 60.8-mile ride. HR 151.

My buddy Joe texted me that he planned on 2 hours of gravel so I got in some lunch and made sure the bike was ready to go. Decided to ride to meet him after coming up with an approximate 2-hour loop. I was running a bit late as it is a little hard to time things on a bike exactly. We headed out and had a very enjoyable ride. It was hot, but never felt that bad (85-90). I dropped him back at his truck and went through Stony Creek. I died a bit around three hours after I left him and looked for a store. Somehow, there was nothing in the strip malls I passed. I stopped at a gas station a mile from where we live because I knew I wouldn't go back out as I would later see the items as not being necessities. I grabbed a slushy for the first time in who knows how long, a Gatorade, and two diet Pepsi's. I sipped my slushy on the way home and it tasted magical :-)

Just under four hours of riding time. I can't believe my legs felt as good as they did after trail running yesterday after it's been so long. Something short and easy running tomorrow and Thursday Night Dirt on Thurday.

Night: PT routine

PM: 5 miles, averaged 9:39. HR 153.

High dew point, but lower humidity. Still a bit tough, so I didn't go to long. Did a 15' near all out stride. Decent fast for me. I think I peaked in the 4:20s or 4:30s, which is about as fast as I have run in quite some time.

PM: 50-mile ride. HR 153.

Thursday Night Dirt + there and back. We stopped for beers at one of the guy's houses again. Quite dry and pleasant. I tried my best to lead the B group. Tried to help the stragglers and ended up getting in a really solid effort. Really enjoyable ride again this week.

As one of my earlier posts hinted at, Megan and I are expecting. We are expecting identical twin boys in early November!

Lunch: 12.2 miles, averaged 8:20. HR 159.

Progression through 8 miles (930-6:40) and then 4+ miles down.

Cooler, drier weather so I figured why not get in something?

PM: 3.25-mile walk. HR 84.

We talked a bit about me getting my coaching certification. I'm planning to pursue it. Lots of people seem to have the same idea as everything is filled and wait listed.

Off.

Rough day. We talked to Issac, someone in Kenya that Megan met on a trip who we sometimes help out a bit financially. Megan ask me to get her a banana. She went back into the kitchen and I heard her fall (she's fine). She was passed out leaning against the fridge and it took her a few seconds to come to and she was very confused for several seconds, but then she straightened out. I got her some fluids and food, trying not to have a panick attack.

I took her to the ER just to be sure and they examine her and did an ultrasound. All good. Apparently this sometimes happens with pregnant women. Her blood pressure apparently dropped. Not sure if it was food related or the position of the babies. We did figure out that she must have been able to almost get down in a sitting position before she fully passed out.