The Tour de Echelon

I suppose this is the third year I've attempted the TDE, I didn't finish the first year because I snapped the crank on my bike, but I completed it last year, and I even got the t-shirt...  So, it was a given I was going to do it again this year.

I finished the majority of the event yesterday to coincide with the end of the actual TDF.   We still have the TDF ride on saturday, yes I'll make it up OD unless they have a bike in the hotel which I doubt, after I get back from #gd60.  I'm a little disappointed I won't be able saturdays class live because I set my PB on it last year, but shit happens.

Anyway, it was a very rewarding experience this year and Echelon made it a lot easier by posting the rides OD very quickly (so I could do them after work if they were in UK time or during the day).  Staying current was important because, to be honest, it gets depressing when you have 3-4 long rides to make up like I did last year.  Aside from that, I set two PB's during the event.   Both on hills.   I finished in the top 10 seven times on live classes, and only missed the top 20 once.  It was stage 8 and I clearly was suffering.   I don't really care about the OD placement, because those don't factor in the live riders and I know I don't work as hard.  I took 14 of the 22 rides live which was I am pretty excited about and as of today rode 344.90 miles (I'll update with TDF after I ride it).

So what would I like to improve for next year?  I'd like to get a minimum of a top 20 every live ride, and I would prefer a top 10 in each live ride.   Yes, that will be hard.   It's hard to push yourself every day for ~22 straight days, tough titty.  I'd also like to maintain the cadence of riding it every day.   While I missed *some* of my regular workouts, it was a nice break, and focusing on the TDE only kept me from getting too worn out.

Pin earned, and on to getting ready for my charity ride this fall.   I do have a little detour out in SF first :)  Talk soon...

TDF

Not gonna lie, the fitness of the TDF riders is insane...   I thought I was in "good" shape but after watching those guys I can't imagine what it takes to get to that level...

#teambordel 

A lot late this month

I'll start by saying yes I know this post is very late.   Hell, there are only ten days left this month, and I have no excuses.   That said, this might be the first time I've written a monthly post and already achievcd the Apple monthly goal.   So, at least one thing is going well :)

It's not going to be a surprise, but June didn't go as planned.  I've been struggling with some joint issues, more on that later, but I decided to take the time in VA as an impromptu rest cycle that both helped and hurt, but let's review my goals for June:

• Get closer to 215 again
• Ride 350 miles -  I would have set it for 400 but we're going to VA for a little bit, and that's going to mean no bike.
• June Apple Fitness challenge
• Run at least every other week
• Walk at least twice a week
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my June challenge
• Continue weekly weight workouts
• All the bonus points in #mc54
• Weather permitting - Global running day challenge

Weight Results:

• Starting Weight:  229.80
• Ending Weight:  226.10

Exercise Info:

• Number of rides:  56
• Time on exercise:  21:46.20
• Distance on rides:  240.29
• Number of runs:  2
• Distance running: 6.23
• Number of walks: 20
• Time walking: 6:00
• Distance walking:  16.34
• Number of rows: 0
• Time rowing: 0
• Distance Rowing: 0
• Number of swims: 0
• Distance swimming: 0
• Weight Workouts: 1

Well, let's call this another "lost" month.  I felt like I did the best I could, given the circumstances I was in.  We spent ten days up in VA and I didn't ride the whole time.   I brought some cycling clothes, but after breaking three bikes, I really don't want to break another one, especially one I don't own, so I missed the mileage target by a long shot.  I'm 750 miles off my annual goal, and while that's still "possible", it's definitely unlikely.   I didn't give up my daily workouts, but I ended up walking on Teresa's treadmill.  That was in an attempt to make sure I was ready for the race on the 4th, and more on that later.

Let's talk about what went well in June instead.   I walked a lot.  I even ran a bit, and felt like I was in good running shape.   Times looked "ok" and I ran the race on June 1 to get my Orange medal.  I felt ok after the time up in VA.   I got the Apple stuff ok.  Gold in fitness challenge etc...  Global running day, even if it felt like I was being punished.   Even Merinda went and got that one :D  It all felt so right early in the month

So what went wrong?   I really don't know.   My weight has been holding, albeit higer than I'd like.  I felt pretty shattered once I got home and, although I'll talk more about July, skipped the 4 miles on the 4th.   Joints have been very sore and walking, even running, is temporarily on a hold while I figure some of that out.   I got a referral to see an orthopedic surgeon, so I'm going to find out what's wrong with my knees/hip, but I need to be able to walk without pain in SF and that's only 2 weeks out.

Ok...  Time to stop whining about June, there will be some come July, but lets set out the goals I would have wanted for July:

• Get closer to 215 again
• Ride 400 miles
• Ride the TDE!  
• Live as often as possible
• Stay current
• July Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my July challenge
• Apple July Challenge
• Continue weekly weight workouts
• All the bonus points in #mc55
• Beat last years time in the 4 on the 4th

I can already tell you that I won't beat my time on the 4th.   I didn't make the race, but that doesn't affect me saying it would have been a goal. Everything else should have been attainable, and I already know where I'm going to fall short.

This is going to be a shorter than usual post.   Maybe because I'm 21 days later and already know what I want to say, maybe because I'm a little burned out.   Today is a TDE rest day, and I am goign to take full advantage of it.

I probably won't post until after I get back from Cali, so enjoy the rest of the month, I'll make an effort to post after I get home..   Talk soon!