Finally...

....got out for a rollerski this morning, and it felt good, really good for the first time out this summer:) I parked at the new mall at Lee Rd and hiked into the back of Island Lake State Park. I arrived at 6:35am and was skiing by 6:45am. The park is closed at that hour so the road was quiet and free of cars. I took it easy and tried to work on good technique. I was surprised I could stride out on each leg with pretty good balance. I worked on "shooting the foot" and complete weight transfer. I spent 85% of the time double poling, which I'm sure I'll feel tomorrow. It was a positive day and I'm actually looking forward to rollerskiing?! Look out this could be dangerous :) I may actually up my plan from one day a week in August to 2 days a week?

I'm pretty happy with my training lately, still lacking in the upper body department but overall my fitness is improving. Usually I don't run in the summer due to the heat, this year I have kept up running 1-2 days a week and I think that has really helped keep the engine "tuned" up. Cycling is fun but you are sitting and not supporting your body so its not as taxing on your aerobic system. Dropping down to 170lbs(from 180+) has also done wonders for my running as well. I have 5 more pounds to go and I'll be as close to race weight.

So, the big focus for me over the next couple weeks will be sleep and hydration, as well as rollerskiing! I've been staying up too late and not getting my 7-8hrs of sleep a night. I also have not been keeping up with my fluids at work lately. This will have to change....I really need to refocus on my diet as well. I have done really well over the summer months but I'm starting to get lazy in my food preparations. So, on top of trying to keep up with my training I must focus some attention on the little things and complete the package.

Only 20 weeks until the Holiday Classical race, time to bust out the rollerskies!!