2017, here we go

I’m starting to see pictures of indoor trainer rides on Facebook; we’re 4 days in and I’m already feeling behind! Behind what I don’t know. Not behind other people’s sweaty butts at an indoor bike session, I can tell you that.

Winter is for lifting heavy things, and that is what I’ve been doing. Weight lifting, strength training, agility…it feels good to move in any direction other then forward. We did lateral box jumps today, quite the departure from biking, swimming or running. It took a couple of bad weeks, but it appears as though my body has remembered what this whole thing is about. I have lifted regularly for years and years, so it was strange to be away from it for so long.

But to the topic at hand: 2017 racing calendar. I hate to disappoint, but at this point everything is up in the air. I have registered for one race, but everything else will be a last minute sign up. I will train, but due to some possible personal life changes, I won’t know for sure if I can afford the actual entry fees and travel. Training is the fun part anyway, right?

So what did I register for? High Cascades 100! Yes, I shall be mountain biking again this year! I can’t wait to get out the trail, it’s been way too long. I’m excited to put my new endurance training experience to mountain biking, so I can blow my last finishing time out of the water.

Last time didn’t go so well (DNF, 2015)

But don’t worry, I plan on training for Ironman again as well. My hope is to race St. George 70.3 again in May, and if things go well, Ironman Coeur d’Alene in August. It may be tough to pull off a 100 mile mountain bike race in July and an Ironman in August. If I’m racing, I’m racing, so if I can’t be at my top form, I probably will not do IMCDA. Remains to be seen!

In the mean time, I haven’t ridden longer then 2 miles since IMAZ, in November. This is, by far, the longest I’ve gone in the last….decade?….without going on a long ride. Okay I might be exaggerating, but that was pre-Strava so I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it. Honestly, biking is my strong suit, and I’ve been wanting to focus on other things. Plus it’s probably good for me to put down the bike for a while, so I can come back excited. Excited to ride in 42 degree rain. Yay! I can’t wait!