“It’s in the bag” – just need to pull out a rabbit

Last long ride

And that be that. The end of a small potent block of work in Truckee Tahoe High School pool as well as the trails circling Truckee Town. High, low, fast, slow – all the bad now. The usual scramble tomorrow, before a 10:40am departure to Kahului via Seattle.

I got to join the masters swim squad a few times this week, with Amanda back from maternity leave, and cranke out some re-assuring splits. My swimming seems to fluctuate in waves, and its often hard for me to tell just what drives the ups and downs. Consistency, time in the water, body weight, flexibility? Feel like I’ll be able to hold my own in a week’s time though for whichever reason, and feel it will be one of the more crtical swims.

The bike leg at Maui starts with a tarmac and gravel section conducive to pack riding, and I wish to be in the front pack conserving versus chasing off a sluggish swim. That said I’ve dropped some spirit building climbs into the ‘bag’ and would be happy chasing especially when the gradients start. Truckee is neat for climbing. Open fire roads, tarmac, mixed single track ascents, all of good length. In theory from 1800 upwards, which is what all rides start at, every 100m in elevation gain is felt. So spending a little time higher, even if just on the mind is worthy cause.

It’ll be interesting dropping down to sea level again. For sure the longest uninterrupted block of thin air I’ve done, with my stint earlier this year split by time in Temecula. There is 1000m of total elevation gain next weekend. So it appears at face value to be a climbers day. I’ll blog some race scenario predictions closer to the day, but I’m expecting it to be tight and busy out on the lava rock.

Might not be in the fastest run form I’ve been in, but think I’m settled for a strong effort after the 30km, 1h35+ ride, on the 11km trail run. The fastest run split by Chris Legh in 2007 was 45′ish. So a lengthy one. Anyhow, I feel the bag has some solid running foundations in, and hope it shows.

I treasured Gert’s mail earlier this. Could post it, but then it is in Afrikaans… We raced together in a double a few years back. He’s been to the top of his game, and I respect his judgement a lot. In a nutshell, Gert said to race without inhibition, race for the top spot, and let the experience and joys follow that objective without over thinking it (mmm).

I’ve enjoyed capping the bag. Some fun rides and stunning runs, social swims with CNN on XM on the way there and back in the Cruiser. And some some fine eating to go with it. My spirit is doing better, although, as you’ve noticed, energies are still internalized and the blogging is still at a push. I couldnt think of a better place to feed the soul. A few times, at the top of climbs, I’d hold my breath and stare at the views in complete silence. I could do 4hours and not see another soul.

So thats the bag. Full to the brim. Will let it settle this week, and hope for the cream to float to the top by Sunday next week.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Here are some photo’s of the past week. Randomness I know. But visuals to accompany my story of ‘the bag’.