Thursday, July 10, 2008

Le Tour De France

Yesterday was a complete rest day, didn't even watch any of the tour.(Must have been a rest day for them as well after the time trial.) Even if you don't like bike racing or riding a bike for that matter, check out the tour coverage at least once. The scenery is awesome. Castles, chateaus, churches, countrysides and mountain landscapes. Unlike anything in the good old USA. My favorite stages are in the mountains. I'm beyond all of the doping crap. Supposedly the race is clean this year. I'd imagine not everyone dopes, but its always been there and will never go away entirely. Anyone riding a bike at that level, over a 100 miles a day for 3 weeks needs something to get back up the next morning. Quote I got one time about the tour, typical redneck response, "thems nothing but a bunch a queers". Whatever, watch it for a half hour.

Tried to nab a picture, but first site wouldn't let me. Plus, these shots were from last year's tour. To much time wasted trying to get the right picture. Need to figure out my speed workout for this morning.

Long day at work yesterday. In early, worked late, so I didn't get my bike ride. Lots of thunderstorms rolling through as well. Looks like rain went through again this morning.

Speed workout this morning on the track. WH was there running the stairs. Yesterday he did half mile repeats. He's going to be tough to catch or even hang with at the race in a month.

Q2 from Jack Daniels. 6 x 200 meters at R with 200 meter recoveries. First one was actually I pace, but dialed in by the 3rd repeat and nailed the last 3 at the target of :41. Easy stuff. Next piece was the 3 x 1,000 meters. On pace at 200 meters but slowing by 400 meters. Tough distance, doubled over after each repeat and within seconds of the target of 3:42. Splits were 3:48, 3:49 and 3:51. Not bad, considering the 100% humidity and clouds of gnats. Rose colored glasses kept the bugs out of my eyes, and the vents kept them from fogging. They actually brighten up the pre-dawn morning.

Last set of repeats were 3 x 400 meters at R, with a 400 meter recovery. Target was 1:23, splits came in at 1:25, 1:24 and 1:28. Last one was disappointing. Each one of them, I was to fast for the first 100 meters, relax to much for the next 100 meters, try to hang on for the next 100 meters and then push to the line in the last 100 meters. The last one must have been to relaxed from the start, it was actually just a second quicker than R pace. These were easier at 70 degrees versus the 90 degrees on Tuesday. Actually almost felt cool on the slog down going home. Hit 9 miles about a half mile from the house and went ahead and walked home the rest of the way home. Good workout, though. Pushed through and finished each interval without going sissy, or whatever else you want to call it. No thin skin here, I call it like I see it. (says the old, bald guy with a receding hair line and tattoos:)

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