"Blow me down"

So Sunday was the annual Joliet "Sudden Century" bike ride. I think it was for me the third time doing the ride. The 1st year doing 60+ miles almost killed me. I guess I have got a little more mileage in my legs since then.

The message went out to try to have a good TRI club showing.. "Let's get at least 20+ people out there".. I had started out a little bit earlier to get a little extra miles in before we all met. Mostly because of time constraints and honestly to warm up so I could at least have any chance to keep up with the fellas in the club.

Wow, it was a great turnout..


I think we had at least 20 riders out there.. It is always fun to ride with Mr. Speedy "running banter" and "Boston" kickstandpam. It was also cool to meet Clydesdale trot for the first time.

My plan for the day was just to do 70 miles, some people where doing the 100 miles, but I was not mentally there to crank out the extra miles.

So I knew it was going to be a windy day, when you hear the wind howling and the flags rustling uncontrollably on top of the buildings.

Well it didn't disappoint. Wind came from all sides at different parts of the ride. I think I had to lean onto one side just to stay upright at certain times. The wind was non-stop, at certain points I was asking myself where is that "f@#@#@ing" rest stop.. I needed a break. A coworker later told me today that he lives in the area and they reported wind gust of 30+ miles per hour.

But 69 miles and 4.5 hours later, I was one mile short of what I wanted to do, but that was close enough. I didn't feel to bad out there, even wearing an ankle brace the entire time.

So on the injury front, so far, besides for some minor swelling on the ankle, I have been relatively pain free for the past couple of days. I still have a walnut shaped knot on top of my ankle, so the doctor appointment is still on for the week.

But I'm a little more confident to at least try to finish the 50 miler on Saturday..

Because after this, like my bicycle shorts says, it's Go!!! time for some serious "IRONMAN" training..

Dang, I only have less than 16 weeks left to go for IMWI.. Where has time gone, but you know after IMWI, I'm back to finish the year off with some UltraRunning.

So hold on, because remember "please stay in your seat until "Bubba's" crazy ride has come to a complete stop"

PS. On the nutritional front.. I've switched from the "Big Texas" Danish to the "Original" Bear claws in the vending machine. Mann... those things are so good. Yummy!!