Say it ain't so....

...Vino!?

In case you have not heard, Tour de France star Vinokourov tested positive for a blood transfusion after his TT win last Saturday. I'm not totally surprised. I've been waiting for another doping scandal to break....I was starting to hope we would make it through this Tour without a positive. Its too bad, cycling is really getting a bad rap with the media. I just wish we could test the NBA, NHL, NFL and the MLB players to the same level as cyclists....we would have no sports left! Anyway....hopefully cycling will get better from this...these guys are still awesome athletes...dope or not. I wonder if we should start testing on the Mich Cup circuit...that Muha guy is definitely on something ;)


Anyway...I had a rough 10 days or so with no real training. I worked about 20hrs of OT in a week and a half. Two Friday's ago I didn't leave work until after 9pm! That was after I got their at 6:30am! This week has seemed to be more manageable. I got out for a nice 1hr ride yesterday and tonight I ran a 4 miler from the house. I felt pretty good running....kinda hot and probably went too fast, but it was somewhat fun for a run. That's the beauty of my current training plan. I can go out and hammer today because tomorrow and the next day I may not be able to get out. So if I feel like giving it alittle gas, I do.


After my slight mid month lay off I'm feeling rested and ready to jump back into it. I'm still struggling with what I want to do when I grow up. Biker, xc skier or duathlete?? Maybe I'll have to settle in as an awesome dad and husband, and part time middle of the pack athlete?

As the saying goes...."Life is Good"

7 out of 9....

...finally feel like the ball is rolling on my training again. I've exercised 7 out of the last 9 days and the 2 days off I was thinking of what I was going to do the next day. Motivation is back and I'm looking forward to the fall duathlon and some cyclocross races. Overall a good week, but still need to get the core strength routine going. Baby steps for now. If I can keep this up for the next couple months I'll be back into the habit of keeping healthy.

The next weekend will be a challenge as D does her MS150 ride and I'll be home solo with the kiddies. Flexibility is the key....

Feeling Good!

Well...last week was not that special by any means, but I had a moment. I did nothing Mon-Fri, but had a nice 2:45 ride on Sat. and followed that up with an 1hr spin on Sunday. Great weekend! As I was riding on the rail trail in South Lyon on Sunday I passed a family of 4 walking/rolling along the path. It was mom, dad, grandma and a little boy around 3. The dad looked to be paralyzed and was in a wheelchair. It hit me then...I can ride, run, ski whenever I want because I can. That guy would probably give anything to get out of his chair and run like a mad man down that path. I decided then that I must do something most days because I can, for that guy stuck it that chair.....because I can. I thanked God as I rode along for giving me my health and a healthy family.

I followed up a good weekend with a morning run with Leah in the jogger and D. Watch out...3 days in a row, its been awhile since I've done that! Pretty sad, eh. Well...having this week off will be good and I will try to be active everyday this week. I felt good for not running in so long. I actually felt better towards the end...we jogged slow but it was a good day for the mind and body.

Things to focus on this week, working out, diet, family and odd jobs around the house. Motivated for the duathlon at Kensington this fall. I have July, August and September to gain some fitness. Wednesdays workout will turn into a brick using the bike course from the duo followed by a brisk 5km run. That run after the bike is always a killer :)