The weekend

I hope you had as good a weekend as I did. Mine started a bit early on Friday due to the weather. Normally I would ride long on Saturday, but with rain in the forecast I moved things ahead one day. After a good speed session in the pool totalling 4k I had a small breakfast, a double espresso and drove the 20 minutes to Waterton Canyon. Waterton is a very popular place since you can run, hike or bike up to the Colorado trail which runs North/South through Colorado. Or you can run into Chatfield State Park and hit some great trails. As I did, you can also start a ride from there and in about 5 miles make a left and start climbing.
Keeping with my theme as of late, I did a lot of climbing on the Kuota. This time there wasn't so much time down in the aerobars though. I have been wanting to do a loop that takes me up High Grade, about a 13 mile climb, to HWY 73 and into Conifer, down for about 20 minutes, then back to High Grade. At the top of High Grade, there is a little school that puts out coolers that are sometimes filled with water and Gatorade. You never know if they will be full or empty, especially on the weekends. They have a little can for you to drop your dollar or two. It's a great little stop as the photos shows.
All in all it was 85 miles, 5500 ft. of climbing, and a hard 30 minute TT when I got back on the flats. The best part was during the ride I stopped at a gas station to refuel. The Gatorade was on sale, 2 of the 32oz bottles for 3 bucks. Since the big bottles don't fit in the cages, I filled up one bottle and then snuck around the corner and stashed the second bottle behind the power meter and some bushes. Sure enough, when I came back about 90 minutes later the bottle was still there waiting for me. Chalk one up to the broke but creative triathlete. After the bike I put on the running shoes and headed out for a nice rolling 5 miler. I felt strong and quick and it was a great way to end the day.
Saturday was even better. Since it was raining I got up early and put in a steady 3k in the pool. Then it was on to breakfast with my wife. I love having breakfast out with her. It is such a relaxing way to start the day. We got home and changed into our pajamas, put in Raising Arizona and just snuggled on the couch. It even started to snow big fat flakes! It was so nice to just relax and do nothing and get to spend some chill time with Courtney. We went out for lunch, soup and salad, then it was back home and in the PJ's for more couch snuggle time. We finished the evening by going to a friend's house to celebrate his 40th birthday. A great day.
Sunday the weather had changed and it was sunny and warm again. I went out on the bike for 30 minutes to get the legs warm for a nice long run. I ran a hilly course that had 2k ft of climbing overall. The legs felt light and quick. I could have run another hour easy. I felt so good that I went to the gym after the run for a light weight session and an aqua jog. The legs just seemed indestructible.
I am really feeling strong for the coming race this weekend. I leave on Thursday for the Lonestar Triathlon Festival in Galveston, TX. Saturday I will race a sprint and then on Sunday I race the 1/2 IM. Nothing like back to back races to kick off the season.