I felt aggressive and animalistic...

I woke up with a stiff Achilles from last night's run. I felt it then and it hasn't gone away. I iced it as I ate my "Bryan's Grand Slam" breakfast. My flu seemed to be ending and I was feeling much better. I was itching to get out the door for my tempo bike ride. It's a ride where I essentially go as hard as I can while keeping my heart rate close to, but under 142 bpm.

My riding lately has been pathetic and I decided I was looking forward to seeing what I could do at tempo speed. I was just dying to eat up that road. No Podcasts today, just ALL music, and loud music. It's been so long since I've listened to music and I wanted that extra UMPH, and it didn't disappoint.

The minute I got on my bike, it felt great. Those guys at Wheels did such a great job, the bike has never felt better. It was like a well oiled and precision machine. They even re-strapped the speedometer cables and polished the entire bike. For the entire ride I purposely didn't take it out of the big chain ring, even on the number one side road hills. I was in attack mode. My goal was to average 33 kph. That would be a great tempo ride. A real confidence booster.

The day was perfect, with a 19 kph cross wind the entire way, out and back. There was very little advantage going one direction or the other. No free lunch today. It was the perfect day to prove one's abilities. I had a great ride, passing guys like they were standing still. I was on cloud nine from the minute I left the house. I knew this was going to be my last real ride before Clearwater and I didn't want to waste it. I wanted to go out with a bang.

As I rode, the music was motivating me, I was even singing part of one song out loud as I rode. If anyone would have heard me they would have thought I was a crazy, and a bad singer to boot. I decided that my strategy at Clearwater is to go as hard as I can and "let the chips fall". Go for the Bonk!!! Heck, I may never get back, I may as well do my best. I'm even considering going as hard as I can in the swim. I usually only go at 75-80%. At least that's what I say now, I'm on a major endorphin rush, we'll see at Clearwater. Usually I figure out my strategy after I start the swim.

When I got back from the ride I only averaged 32.8 kph, I was seriously contemplating staying out there and getting it up to 33 kph. My legs felt stronger in the last hour than the first and it wouldn't have been a problem. I attacked every hill and it felt good to feel that burning pain in my legs. I'm a pain lover, especially on the bike. Two hours felt like 45 minutes, just like racing, time flies. Best part is my Achilles felt better afterwards and I don't have to run until Wednesday.

Alice spent the night last night experimenting with the Margarita mixer for my birthday party, she had to get just the right texture and not have it taste to much like alcohol. She was trying different recipes from the Internet. She's such a perfectionist. She's not a tequila fan so she wasn't enjoying the taste test and I couldn't help her because I'm on the wagon. She had one bad tequila experience in the past and she no longer can drink it. Unlike me, in most cases I can rebound. The only thing I can't drink is Lemon Gin, that was a nasty experience.

I did my last speed swim today. I was looking forward to the cool water and hoping it would help my Achilles. I went hard and it was one of the rare swims where I was still sweating when I left the building. The last 100 was at a 1:38 pace. When I got home, I took a prescription anti-inflammatory and now its injury management time until the race. Tonight, Alice, Reid and I are off to the Al Nolan estate for dinner.

Tempo Ride - 2:00:25 / 65.84 kms / 32.8 kph / 141 avg hr / 1719 ft climbing

Speed Swim - 1:05:09 / 3000 meters

179.8 21.4% BMI