Goulds/Jem/Hurricane

Every time I ride this trail it reminds me of how much mtb is so much fun and how this trail is such a blast. We started from the trail head just south of the Hurricane Mesa. This allowed us to get the main climb out of the way and save the best for last. The trail was in perfect condition thanks to the rains that came through two nights before. No loose stuff and very fast. I need to get out here more!!

Ironman Training??????

When to actually start training has been churning in my mind the past year. I do not want to start serious training too early and then burn out or not peak at the right time. 20 weeks seemed to work well for CDA but I am not sure if there is a better option. For now I will keep enjoying my shorter workouts just to keep a base and then when January comes it will begin!!

Goulds+Jem+Rim=Fantastic

Set out early this morning for the Hurricane ride. Rode with the Bro in-laws who I call Juan de Niner and King Hype. 21 miles of sweet trail riding. As usual they pinned it from the get-go. I was tempted to go out hard on the first mile and chase them down but remembered to leave some in the tank for the last 5 miles of this ride climbing out. So I kept it under 160 and just plugged along. Trail was in great shape as long as you stay on it as King found out by hitting some loose stuff. This ride makes you feel like you are on a slalom course with fast singletrack right then left then right then left. Reaching the final overlook where the bathroom is located I felt pretty good going into the last 4 miles(was it the Carbo Rocket?). We arrived back just as the heat was starting to set in.
I'm trying to figure out where the 25 hour race is going to be. I would like to ride it.
Its about time to charge the light and ge some evening rides in.

Stucki Springs To Start The Day

Rode the red dirt early this morning. Starting from Poppy trail out and making a loop out of it. I am amazed at all the trails that still keep going further west from the turnaround point. Someday I will have to do some more exploring.
Jem and Hurricane Rim trails are on the schedule for Saturday.

Rain or Shine Vikingman Goes On.

We arrived in Burley to cloudy skies. As the racer meeting progressed so did the rains. I kept thinking this race is not going to happen. The meeting seemed to insist it was going to take place so we planned for it. 5 am comes quick on a race morning. We drove down to Bike drop off as it was sprinkling here and there. The swim start was a mile up the river so we dropped our bike and run gear off protected under a rain poncho and headed up to the start. 90 men and women all huddled in the backyard of someones grassy yard by a boatramp waiting for the 7 am start. I was in my wetsuit so I was warm regardless if it was raining or not. The river was very calm as the start began. I swam out about 50 feet from shore which seemed to have the fastest current. It was hard to tell how fast was going but before I knew it I was at the finish exit in 29 minutes. You climb up a ladder onto a dock and run a good couple hundred yards to t1. I grabbed my stuff and entered the change tent and completely went to new clothes for the bike. I forgot how hard it was to put dry clothes on wet skin. I took forever but wanted to be warm for the ride. I started on the bike heading out on wet roads with a little rain. I forgot my shot blocks so relied mostly on my Perpetuem and water on the course. I had ups and down on the bike but seemed to be consistent. I started the run feeling good but hitting mile 8 thinking I was at mile 10 deflated me and I struggled the last few miles. I finished under my 6 hr goal and headed to the massage table. This race was just as good if not better than the races with 5 times as many people. They had the coolest trophies I have seen so far. An engraved vikingman in stone. The only complaint is the road out of t1 was riddled with a cracks every 10-20 feet. Note for next race....Go with Carbo Rocket for drink fuel.

SG TRIATHLON, I MEAN DuATHLON

Clear skies and warm temperatures made it seem as if the day was going to be perfect for a triathlon. But winds from the north had other ideas and made it hard for the safety crews to stay in position on the water. Run-Bike-Run was the new race for the day. 2 hours and 6 minutes later I crossed the finish line 14th place out of the 60 competitors. I felt great on the tt bike and pushed my avg speed to above 20mph. The run was fine but difficult in the sand. I just pushed on with my avg pace. The first mile into the run took a minute for the body to kick in but after a water station and gu I felt pretty good.
If triathlon entry fees continue to increase (near 100 dollars for this one)I only see myself doing maybe one a year. I may do more ICup mtb. races instead.
Even though it was dissapointing to not do an actual tri, It was still good to see friends. I hope AJ has recovered and Rico has found his walking muscles again.
By this time the winds went elsewhere and people were swimming the course. Oh well.

6 Days to Tri Season Opener

Saturday is the SGtri at Sand Hollow. I have been out to the lake to swim a few times and the water is near perfect temperatures. Perfect beach conditions to get a sunburn as well. Lets hope the engine is ready to go and is faster than last year!