I'm starting to believe it's coming...

I FINALLY had my first warm weather ride in Ontario this year. I've been riding indoors and in the cold outdoors for almost 6 months now. I almost forgot what it was like to ride in the heat, I'm still "pinching myself", I want to believe it's here to stay.

It didn't start off well. I flatted 30 seconds into the ride. It worked out okay, it gave me the "push" I needed to take off my race wheels and put my training wheels back on. I immediately noticed the difference, the training wheels are stiffer. I actually prefer their stiffness over the carbon fibre race wheels.

Taking the day off yesterday to rest my legs did wonders, they felt much stronger. I also wore my compression tights last night around a backyard bonfire. Alice and kids don't like the look, especially with my shorts over top. I look more like a burn victim than an athlete.

We're not allowed to have bonfires in our backyard, it's against city bi-laws. Luckily no one called the fire department. I'm sure if firefighters showed up, they'd take one look at my compression tights and lecture me saying, "What going through your head by thinking it's okay to have a backyard blaze? It's obvious you understand the danger and pain of fire, haven't you learnt your lesson yet? You of all people should know better."

It was a beautiful day and with the humidex it was 32 C. It also felt great riding with a sleeveless jersey again. For the first 2:30 of the ride I felt very strong and was averaging 31.3 kph and then "Bam", my energy level dropped and it was tough to keep my heart rate aerobic.

For the last hour, I rode into a head wind and when I got home I was wasn't feeling well. I was suffering from a mild "heat stroke". I could hardly eat, I had no appetite. The only thing I knew that would help was taking a nap, which I did. When I woke up I felt much better, I was back to 100% and was good enough to do a weight training session after dinner.

I fought the urge to have a beer today. I've been overdoing the beer consumption and noticed a little beer belly forming. It's not so much the beer that causes it, it's the lack of self-control that comes with drinking beer. After having a few, I start eating "junk food" and then viola, my mid-section starts to grow.

As a PFG (Previous Fat Guy), I NEVER want to go back to my "fat guy" days. When I gain a little weight, I "sober up" pretty quickly and become motivated to start eating well and lose weight.

I've been partying a little too much for a variety of reasons. The first was post IMSG celebration. The second was the "disorientation" of selling my business and not having my full bearings or routine. The third was the "stress" of the unknown from a personal financial matter that needs to be resolved, hopefully soon. And lastly, it's getting warm outside. For a large part of the winter, I abstained from beer and made it through by "visualizing" my sitting on my deck having cold ones when it got warm.

On my ride today, I realized that I'm not a triathlete with a beer problem. I'm a beer drinker with a triathlon problem.

I say that in jest. I think the problem would be if I didn't do both together. If I just drank beer, I'd get fat and lazy and if I just did triathlons, I'd be in great shape and "others wouldn't be as interesting and I wouldn't be so smart".

If either "beer" or "triathlons" is taking too much control of my life, I can dial either one or both, up or down accordingly. Today, I decided to dial down the "beer" a bit. It feels like the right thing to do at this time.

It never fails, yesterday I opened up the 5 L can of beer that Doru gave me for my birthday, I have one glass from it and then decide to reduce my beer intake. The good thing is the beer will last for 30 days, the bad thing is that every time I open my fridge I'll see it "taunting" me. I think I'm going to have to tape a skinny picture of me on it as a counter-balance.

I've been getting a couple emails from Matty O and Corey Philip telling me that they are starting to follow my beer program and they are getting better results. Corey had a fat foot-long hotdog and a beer at Canada's Wonderland and then has one of his best runs that night.

It may sound strange, but it doesn't surprise me. For eons, beer has been consumed in large quantities by soldiers and professional athletes. In excessive moderation it has it's place, just ask Babe Ruth.

On the TPPF, things are going well. I recently added the dollar amounts contributed by the Top 10 Contributors and an interesting thing happened. The competitive nature of the people that read my blog kicked in. Everyone wants to move up the list.

Simon donated $5.01, which creatively put him above the average beer donation of $5. Then Doru decides to end his Triathlete Magazine subscription and uses that money to donate to Training Payne, which puts him firmly in 2nd place. He thought my blog was more interesting to read than Triathlete Magazine. I agree, and encourage others to do the same.

For those that may have been bumped down and you don't like it one bit, I understand completely. Don't despair, I'm keeping track of all the donations and if you keep sending more, I'll add it to your total and you'll be able to earn your way to the top. If it makes it easier, I can also accept post-dated cheques or can accept automated deposits if you want to tie it into direct deposit from your wage.

It's important you don't get down, if you see someone take the lead, take a deep breath, regroup, and keep positive. Then, go get your credit card and enter more money. The results will be immediate. I GUARANTEE IT!!!

Training Payne's 200% Money Back Guarantee: If you enjoy or hate my blog, please donate money, I guarantee you'll be moved up if your on the Top 10 list. If I forget to move you up the list, I'll refund double your money. With an ofter like that, you have nothing to lose.

As an added benefit, when you donate money, "I love you long time".

Moderate Bike - 3:31:30 / 107.94 km / 30.64 kph / 136 avg hr

Weights - 45 minutes