Flat legs...

For the first time ever, my legs were sore while swimming. I didn't know why but I thought maybe it was because I had my first land run in 9 days yesterday. 

When I finished the swim they were sluggish. I don't know what it is about swimming but I get tired afterwards. I can run and bike and don't get tired but for some reason swimming tires me out. I swam at lunch time and it was tough to do budgets in the afternoon while feeling sleepy.

I got home and decided to do my ride before dinner. I was so tired and unmotivated with flat legs. I knew I had to push myself out the door and get the ride over with. Once I got going my thighs were hurting. It seemed like it was hard to push on my pedals. The first half of the ride was directly into a 26 kph head wind and after about 20 minutes my legs started to feel stronger.

I find it strange that I don't train near as fast as I race. I typically train at 30 -31 kph and depending on the course I can race over 36 kph. On tonight's ride I was wondering how fast I'm going to ride during Sunday's race. Will I be slower, faster or the same as last year? I never know how fast I'm going to go because I don't train fast. I often wonder if my racing speed is a fluke.

At the turnaround of tonight's ride I saw a cyclist about a kilometer away and my competitive juices got going. I was motivated to catch him, which I did, but he was on a mountain bike so it doesn't count. Then I saw some cyclists going up one of the 11% grade hills and caught them and passed them at the top like they were standing still. They were gasping and going for the water and I just kept going hard.

I then realized that when I have competition, it brings out the best in me. There is no better feeling than catching someone and passing them, or dueling with them and eventually beating them. When I finished the ride I felt 100% better. I wasn't tired or unmotivated anymore. I was pumped.

I'm hoping this competitive spirit works for me on Sunday. The ride is going to be a typical Muskoka ride. The entire distance will be lots and lots of rolling and hard hills. Last year Craig Alexander only could average 38.1 kph in Muskoka, whereas in Florida he averaged 41.6 kph. Lisa Bentley and I are about the same speed and for the Muskoka race last year she averaged 34.2 kph. If I do just a little better than that I'll be happy.

I've been doing the research to adjust my diet. My doctor wants me to reduce my protein and fat, which works well for me, because Mark Allen's diet is 20% fat, 20% Protein and 60% Carbohydrates. I just started logging my food at Livestrong.com, it's free, and a real eye opener when you see what the fat, protein and carbohydrate percentages are in the food you eat. 

From what I entered I've been eating 35-40% fat, 20% protein and 40% carbohydrates. I've got a lot of adjusting to do. It looks like I shouldn't be eating ribs to often either. I guess I'll just have to barbecue and taste them only. 

At least there is no fat in beer.

Swim - 39:59 / 2000 meters

Bike - 1:00:17 / 33.22 km / 33.1 kph / 136 avg hr