So, I bit off more than I could chew.

A few months ago, I got all fired up and registered for the Spring Death Valley Ultra Century. I figured a mere century wasn't all that much of a challenge, so why not go big?

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

It takes place in early March, which at this point, is a mere six weeks away.

Except that between flying back east for the holidays to overeat and then getting bronchitis, I haven't trained.

Today, I rode 50 miles and my ass is, as they say, grass.

I have no idea how I'm going to get from 50 miles (at an average speed of 12 mph, BTW), to 150 miles in SIX WEEKS.

I think I might be really, really fucked.

I'm trying to keep a sense of perspective in that they won't charge me more if I don't finish, and it'll be a lovely ride no matter how far I get, but my ultra-competitive inner jock is having none of it, no Sir.

I have to complete the ride in 13 hours to officially finish, which at my current fitness level, I'm not sure I can do.

My main problem is my hamstrings tightening up and saddle sores due to the seat rubbing. I try to stretch in the saddle (raising up off the seat, leaning on the handlebars and doing a sort of cat cow). I'm sure the saddle sores will resolve themselves with a bit more callus, but if I can't get a handle on this hamstring crap, I'm going to be hamburger after, well, 50 miles.

We'll see.

Six weeks to go.

My Achilles Heel

So the soreness in my left Achilles tendon escalated during Sunday's race, and when I went to the doctor Monday, he gave me the bad news that it's now full-blown tendinitis, and told me very firmly that there is to be no running of any sort in my life for at least the next four weeks. 

Which is fine, there's still biking and swimming - except that Tuesday, when I got in the pool and tried to do a flutter kick, the tendon hurt when it contracted, so now - no kicking, either.

Except that I won't give up swimming. I just won't.  You can't make me.

I figured I'd just use the pull buoy and still manage to get some swim work in - which was fine on Tuesday. Tuesday's workout is very drill-heavy and focused on form, so I really got a chance to pay attention to my catch and pull.

Today, however, was the masters workout with the Sadist (and yet he looks so normal), and true to his reputation, it was 2200 meters of speed work.

All of which I did with the pull buoy.

I can still feel my arms, but I kind of wish I couldn't.

The upside is that after a month of this, I'm going to be super ripped! Yay! 

What Not to Do

Instead of posting yet another boring race report (good swim, good bike, bad run. Same as ever), I thought I'd share a post-race parking lot photo for your enjoyment:

Yes, that's a very expensive bike and very expensive race wheels left in the bed of a pickup truck - not locked, and no owner anywhere in sight. Plus there's a wetsuit if you care to grab that, too.

I'm stunned that someone would be this, well, trusting in the second largest city in the US, which, by the way, has had a rash of bike thefts in the last few months.

Hell, I wouldn't even leave Gary unlocked in the bed of my pickup, and I'm fairly certain no one in the parking lot of a triathlon would want to steal Gary.

I threw Gary in the back of the car and drove off in search of post-race food after taking this picture, but I sincerely hope that this person - whoever they are - came back from where ever they were to find their bike and wheels still there.