2009 September

Actually, this weekend felt like the beginnings of fall, which would be fine by me. It actually has been just fine training in the sun at 75-80 degrees in the afternoon, but I could do with some signs that winter is on its way. One sure sign of the approaching race season (9 weeks to the first race at West?) is the frequency of time trials in my training. I guess 4 in 5.5 weeks isn’t really all that many (basically averaging one every 10-14 days), but it’s nice to always have the next one in sight. This morning Marshall and I did the North Rim TT a week ahead of schedule (I’m not going to be around next weekend and I convinced him to do it with me even though a couple of our other training partners had … (ahem) … a change of heart at the last minute). We battled back and forth the whole way until the finish where, tragically, there was no line to lunge for or camera to determine a winner. Not really a problem, I’m happy to claim a share of the course record for at least a few days. This was my second PR of the summer, following up on August’s Westminster West Road effort. 21 seconds off in a 28 minute test today and 20 seconds off in an 18 minute test back in VT. I’m pretty pleased with both those efforts. Of course they were sandwiched around two rather disastrous uphill skate TTs (Century and Edison), so I really don’t know what to make of it. Maybe I need to consolidate the gains I’m making in classic skiing and get back to skating like the last couple of years? That seems like a good plan. Actually, it would be good to go faster than in years past. I’m making a quick trip cross-country this weekend for the festivities surrounding my cousin’s wedding. It should be a great chance to catch up with the extended family, have a grand old time and hopefully catch some of that foliage I’m starting to miss.