My week in review - Week 12

Its Monday, so it must be time for my week in review. This past week's conclusion marks my 3rd month of training. This week was my largest volume week so far. It was also my most memorable. I had several breakthrough swim workouts and finally went mountain biking. With all the nice weather, its hard not to want to have a great workout. Let's take a look at the stats:

- Swim: 6250 yards (Goal: 6000)
- Bike: 4 hours 20 minutes (Goal: 4)
- Run: 6 miles (Goal: 6)
- Weight Sessions: 2 (Goal: 2)
- Hours: 9 hours (Goal: 9 hours)

This week, I'm looking to keep up the volume. I have a fun 5k race planned for Sunday, but other than that, its business as usual. I'd like to keep my swim and bike totals up this week. Goals for the week:

- Swim: 6500 yards
- Bike: 4 hours
- Run: 6 miles
- Weight Sessions: 2
- Hours: 9

Have a great week and enjoy your training!

Mountain Biking at Last!

It seems that my weather rant worked and I was able to go riding after all. I got a bit scared though, because it was pouring here around 11:00 pm last night and I had to get up and check the radar to see if this was just a passing shower or what. Phew...it was only a tiny isolated shower that didn't even come close to Lorton, VA where I ride, which is about 30 miles south of DC. Fountainhead is by far the best trail in the immediate area. It is a challenging course and requires a good deal of technical skills to safely navigate the terrain and come out alive. Its about at 8-9 mile loop, which is normally enough, but sometimes if I'm feeling dangerous, I'll go for two loops. Since I had already gone for a great swim and this was only my 2nd time riding this year, I figured one loop would be more than enough. I was just hoping to escape without too many bruises.

Surprisingly, I only had one real fall, which left me with a slightly bruised wrist...but that's about it! I was headed up a steep ascent and figured I'd be friendly and ask a guy who was stopped at the middle of the hill if he was doing ok. Of course, talking to him distracted me from climbing the rooty hill and I got caught between two BIG roots. Unfortunately, I couldn't power over them and since it was a steep hill, couldn't slip out in time. Bike flipped back and landed on top of me...the usual result from a fall...or the one downside to using clipless pedals. Comes with the territory though.

One of the more technical descents on the trail - "Shock-a-Billy" Hill

I had a really good ride, technically. I hopped a few more logs, including several I typically don't try and made it through some of the more difficult sections that I have had issues with in the past. In all a great ride for only my second time out this year.