The Desert

Memorial day weekend brought an opportunity to head out to the Desert with Sean & Trish, train, and relax in style.

With the 4Runner all packed up we departed Friday night and were in house by 11p.m. Saturday's menu read: "Long Ride" Sean, is smart enough not to be doing an Ironman so his turn around came about mile 30. I continued on Highway 111 towards the Salton Sea and along its shore for a few more. That place is desolate, I mean, nothing.

For those who don't think Triathlon is it, you will be happy to see that I found it. If you want directions let me know.

The ride was going well, hot, pretty good head & cross winds all the way out and once out of town, very few stops. The way back was going even a little better with the aforementioned head wind, now a tail. The only bad part was the seemingly constant train of semi trucks passing me loaded to the brim with Garlic. Several hours into the ride, this made me HUNGRY and I had "Pizza on the Brain" for almost the rest of the ride. That was, of course, until I ran out of fluids. then I had H20 on the brain. I mentioned before that this place is desolate. Not many places to stop out there for a cold drink, plus as I was averaging about 25-27mph, I didn't really want to stop. So I passed one or two extremely sketchy looking markets, knowing that at my current speed, I was going to be back into safer stopping territory pretty soon. I thought I could hold out a little longer. Well, I am not sure if it was the dehydration, or the Pizza brain, but about mile 85, I was wishing I had stopped. Somehow, in my dehydrated state, I managed to get blown/veer off the shoulder and into the loose dirt, my front wheel washed out and I met asphalt at about 25mph. I managed to roll with it pretty well, and my left arm/hip and shoulder took the brunt. I also did a nice little re-style job on the back of my helmet. My main concern was my bike and I remember sliding along, holding my bike up off the road by the right aero bar and my still clipped in right foot. Thus, my bike was relatively unscathed, I took a little road rash but nothing my traveling medical team couldn't take care of. Sunday brought the first test of my calf after the week's rest. The night before Sean & Trish had let their PT opinions be known and encouraged me to try to incorporate a little more of a heel strike into my run stride. My forefoot style, they thought, could be contributing to the calf problems I had been experiencing. After 35mi on the bike Sean and I were off on a run, and I was concentrating on a nice heel strike. I am super stoked to report that 12mi later, no pain and the calf was happy! Some strength training and a little "lap of luxury" recovery at the spa, and a fine Sunday was brought to a close.

Monday morning, not wanting to over-stress my calf too soon, I opted for a ride with a small run off. I found some awesome roads and just couldn't force myself to turn around. 30mi later I was here: Knowing I had to go home sometime, I reluctantly headed back and fought a mean head & cross wind all the way home. A quick 2mi run off and the weekend training was all done.

Yesterday brought my first ride back with the Tues/Thurs group in a while, and I was Punished. The weekend had taken its toll and I was quickly dropped like a school girl. Tuesday also brought on my second ART session with Tamar. I was super stoked that this round was not nearly as painful on the calves. Proof of the recovery accomplished. Tamar inflicted her pain and an hour later I was a new man. This morning's tempo run went off without a hitch!! Now I am just looking forward to the weekend and riding the infamous Henshaw Loop with Charisa on Saturday and supporting/cheering her on in the San Diego Rock N' Roll marathon on Sunday. Should be good times!!

Ohh and just for a parting treat, here is what my hip looks like today.