The best I can do

Once again it’s been a while. I think now that I’m on Facebook I don’t want to talk about myself too much. That’s probably why my updates here are so few and far between. What’s new? Well, work is finally slowing down. It’s been a busy two months, but things should be much calmer until mid summer. Even with the increase in work I’ve managed to keep up the training. This has required 5 days a week of morning workouts, but I’m adjusting. I am actually enjoying it. Granted I don’t have to be out the door to workout until 6:30, but it is nice to get in a workout first thing. If I had to be up any earlier it probably wouldn’t be happening. The new job is still exceeding expectations. Even with how busy I’ve been I love the environment, the people and even the job responsibilities. I just hope I can survive the recession… So far no talk of any cut backs, but these days you never know.

On the racing front, last weekend was the first racing I’ve done this season. Saturday we went up to Mt. Hood for a snow shoe event. It was a “Race For the Cure” type event on snow shoes. There was a 3k race and a 5k hike. It worked out so I was able to do the race and finish in time to do the hike as well. The race was pretty small with only about 15 people. They promoted it as a fun run but they still awarded 1st through 3rd with prizes. I managed 2nd, which I’m ok with since my snow shows are pretty big. Not the easiest thing to run in. I managed a 6:24 pace 3k and won a free pair of shoes. After the hike we headed up to Timberline with the Perkins for a beer and some lunch. It was nice to get out of the normal “long ride Saturday, long run Sunday” routine.
Sunday was the Jack Frost Time Trial at Vancouver Lake. It is a 20k out and back bike race. The weather turned out to be much better then expected with only a moderate east wind during the race. It’s hard to complain about that in late February. I’ve been anxious about this race because I had no idea where my fitness really was. It’s hard for me to tell in the winter since there are so many factors working against you in training this time of year. With cold temps, wet weather and layers of cloths it tough to get an accurate read on fitness. Overall the race went well. I felt great going out with the tail wind and was ahead of what I projected half way through. On the way back though the head wind was stronger then I thought it would be so I was quickly nearing max HR with 6 miles to go. With a lot of grunting, snot and drool I managed to maintain my effort level and finished 2nd in Cat 4. I tried to up to Cat 3 prior to the race but they wouldn’t let me. You have to earn a move to cat 3 which makes sense. But in this case had I been in Cat 3 I would have gotten first. Not really a big deal though. It was really the time I was shooting for. I really wanted to go under 28 mins and I managed a 27:47, so goal accomplished. Next race is Banana Belt road race then the Shamrock run 8k. I love racing again!!