Adequate to Sub Par

I'd like to say I had big ride plans for this weekend, but this time of year, I just sort of go with whatever comes my way. So this week had a little bit of everything. Gym time (I'm getting huge), a weekday gravel ride, a night ride, and Saturday a trip up to MMCC to do some laps. I figured I did 3 laps last week, why not 3 more, or even better- FOUR! Well that didn't happen. It was two.

I guess the problem started on Friday night, as I sort of got into a few beers. Curse you Michigan for carrying my fave beers (Bells, Founders, Stone, etc.,) in every freaking store around! While I wasn't exactly tuned up like a frat boy with a Coors party ball and a bath tub full of Purple Jesus', I wasn't feeling too much pain as I watched a seemingly endless marathon on Billy The Exterminator and Top Gear (UK) on TV. Nothing a good sleep, some water, and coffee couldn't cure. Right? Right. Sort of.

I felt great in the AM, especially after about 200 oz. of Italian Roast coursing through my veins. At this point I started looking at the approaching ride through "coffee goggles," and thought I would do more like 4 laps at MMCC than 3. The problems was that my brain forgot to tell my legs of this plan.

I soon as I started the ride, I KNEW that 4 laps was NOT going to happen. Hell, I wasn't sure if 1 lap was even going to happen. I was all over the trails, my legs were dead and my back was killing me. My back has been a real ride limiter of late, and the cool temps and bumpy trails were not helping. I really need to get to a doctor/chiropractor to have it looked at. But by the end of the first lap I was feeling OK, and continued out for a second lap. About 2 miles into the 2nd lap I started to really feel good. I was getting good power to the pedals, having fun and moving pretty fast. Then a couple miles later I once again felt like shit and knew that 2 laps was going to be it. Eph it.


Not the end to the week I wanted. Most of it was my own fault. Shouldn't have got into those beers, but more than anything I should not have gone to they gym the day before. I usually take Friday to chill and ready for a weekend of riding. But this Friday I opted to go to the gym for an hour on the StairMaster and increasing weight on the leg press. NOT good. What was I thinking? I wasn't.

BUT as I said above, this time of year is still sort of just enjoying getting out and riding some snowless trails. No need to take thing too seriously, or worry to much about performance in November! I mean the first race is still 3+ months away. Also I DID still get over 8 hours of riding/training in this week, which while NOT great, it is better than I was getting just a couple months ago for the most part.

Even though I like to get at least one BIG grave l ride in on the weekend, I am aborting the ride today to chill the legs, maybe do some painting in the house, and be a slug. This coming week should be chaos. Leaving for PA on Tuesday, splitting time betweenst in-laws and my Dad's place, visiting friends, and MAYBE squeezing in a ride. UG!