Earning my stripes.

I came, I saw, and I…survived. As I sat in my cage Monday for the prescribed once a week recovery day, with a wholesome zen-like peaceful fatigue, repairing the damage by continuing to stuff whatever edible item within reach into my mouth (interrupted only by the previous night’s sleep), realizing not only did I survive, I was wanting more. With approximately 13 hours of the hardest consecutive days of training to date this year, you’d think my mind would be far from yearning for the same, but it kept flashing images of the roads of Connecticut. I’m sure this wouldn’t be the case if human beings had the capability to remember actual pain (physical), but there was no other place I would’ve rather been…

What an awesome weekend from all perspectives, including great weather, company, food, and ice cream. We headed up Friday evening, and after a fairly uneventful drive out of the city, packed it in shortly after unloading at the Labbe’s household around 10:30PM or so. My plan for Saturday was to do the entirety of the ride that I wussed out on a few weeks back, i.e., from Bethany to Quassy, ride the Rev3 course, and ride back. Somewhere in the range of 98 miles was the plan for the day. 98 miles in Connecticut hill country mind you.

Having my cue sheet still handy (but knowing a little over half of the route already), nutrition dialed in, and beautiful weather, I set off around 7:30AM the following morning. Arm warmers were all that was needed, and as the day climbed into the 80’s, even those found themselves rolled up and put away shortly after heading out. The ride from Bethany was still pretty fresh in my head, and for the most part dialed in with little need to reference any directions. Approximately 20 miles put me at the start of the Rev3 course, which today I had every intention of finishing.

I was still feeling pretty fresh when I started the course, although the heat was creeping up pretty quickly. It was just a little too early to be so hot, and without any acclimatization time it seems this year, it only felt hotter. I soon found my way onto new roads as I continued past my previous turn around point. I’d like to point out, that albeit this is reading very easily, this ride was a suffer-fest. I wish I could recollect exactly where the toughest of the hills were, and I probably could if I took the time, however I think the more appropriate thing to note here is that it’s all hills. I do remember route 254 heading north to be a particularly long climb, so I’ll make a physical and mental reminder for that one.

The turnaround point just south of Litchfield is where I got somewhat lost. Thus, I really didn’t get to complete the entire course as it turns out when I retraced my steps and mapped it this morning. However, I got more than an adequate taste, and have concluded that it will be a tough, tough day, which has set a little natural apprehension about what lies ahead. Although by the same token, I absolutely can’t wait and can’t continue to stress enough, even while suffering, I never regret it for a moment. I love riding up there with endless roads to explore off the beaten path, vineyards, farms galore, etc. Its rural America at it’s best. So while everything may hurt, at least I’ve had the scenery to soak up, no traffic, and rarely another cyclist.

I really love cycling again. Thank you Connecticut, and despite all your damn hills, I love you too.

The day wrapped, with me rolling into the driveway, as Jason put it, going so slow that I could’ve tipped over, at approximately 94 miles and over 6,300 feet of climbing. I lost the route somewhere, but got a good long day in hot, hot weather. Excellent practice, but I still had one more equally tough day to go.

After stuffing my face continually for the remainder of the day, topping it all off with some amazing homemade ice cream, we called it a night after a quick route check and cue sheet for the following day. That next morning, Sunday, shaped up to be an amazing but even warmer one. We started the day at Lake Waramaug for my first open water swim with the new wetsuit. Upon arriving at the lake around 7:45AM accompanied by two very gracious sisters to keep me company, we quickly found our original plans awash. Hordes of people, were packing into the state park area of the lake for a crew meet, which also happened to be the original place planned for me to swim from. Alls well that ends well, as shortly thereafter we agreed upon another location, and after suiting up, I began the first leg of my brick around quarter to 9AM.

The wetsuit is pretty amazing. I felt like I could swim all day in that thing; it certainly makes for less effort. However, the initial shock of the cold water wasn’t something I was expecting, and for a short time it altered/strained my breathing until I settled in and warmed up a bit. I continued fairly close to the shoreline at an aerobic clip for 35 minutes thoroughly enjoying myself. Upon exiting I suited up, this time in cycling attire, said my good-bye and thank you (!) and set-off on the planned route of the day for a total of 60 miles finishing back in Bethany.

I found some amazing hills that day. Big surprise right? Turns out the route directly back to Bethany to the south wasn’t quite the amount of mileage I needed for the day, so I first headed north. I apologize for keep coming back to this point, but there was no shortage of inclines. Even though as a whole the ride would be easier today, with only approximately 3,500 feet of climbing, it did not disappoint. Further good news came with the realization that even after yesterday my legs still felt O.K. O.K. enough that is for a steady, but not too crazy clip.

Sunday climbed well into the 80’s, and for anyone who rides a bike, knows quite well the heat radiating off the pavement certainly cranks it up even a few more notches. I was glad for a change of pace, as my last two long rides up in Connecticut had been on the Quassy course or en route. I started of around Waramaug, heading back towards the direction of the state park entrance where I caught of glimpse of the crew teams now in the water, toeing the line.

Almost immediately I headed up a pretty serious climb as I popped off northwest of the lake. What was interesting is that shortly thereafter as I turned on to the very appropriately named ‘Brick’ School road, I entered my first true dead area with no cell phone coverage. Pretty amazing. It happened sporadically throughout the day north of the lake, and if I could digress for a moment, it dawned on me that it had been years since that happened. It could only make me smile however when I soon realized how attached I had become to the maps to help pinpoint myself should I miss a turn. Ross and I never did that! If getting lost meant adding miles, or finding awesome new stretches of road, how could you really call that getting lost? Funny how technology can make you second-guess yourself. That same bit of technology did however, despite no cell coverage, allowed for this very cool picture. Guess you can put two and two together on why those Connecticut old-heads named it Brick School road. That’s 1798.

The conclusion of the ride, despite my best efforts to skip a road of serious inclines, only took me on one of even more serious inclines. I guess that’s what I get for trying to wuss out. But know this Blackberry road, you and I will do battle again. I ended the day on my way back up Miller road at a little over 60 miles, and this time it wasn’t at tip-over speeds. After parking, dismounting, and drinking copious amounts of water that was left for me on the front entry way (I stupidly underestimated water consumption today, and got an emergency txt in that requested such. Thanks guys!), I laced up, changed tops, and was off on a planned 5 mile route that Melissa had printed out for me.

The legs were fine, but wow the heat was wearing on me. It did reach high 80’s that day, and knowing this is the best type of practice for Kentucky, I took off down the driveway. What is really cool, is that I’m truly learning the science of adjusting and regulating pace in different scenarios. Sunday was definitely one of those scenarios, and after two tough days, a hilly run, and a very hot start around 12:45PM, I knew I would have to slow things down. That being said, the run actually turned out to be fine. I slowed it down to an 8-8:15 pace, and cruised comfortably (as comfortably as I could) through a little over 5 miles.

And that was a wrap.

Lastly, I’d like to take just a moment to say thanks for all help everyone. I don’t say it enough. I couldn’t do this for a second without you. I mean that. It can be a selfish pursuit when it comes right down to it, so I appreciate all the support, and all the forms it takes…just like the title and parting photo, courtesy of Labbe & Labbe.