Hooked up with fellow team mate Brian for a ride this morning. The plan was for a 56 mile ride. About 4 mies into the ride I rode my bike into a rutt in the road and blew a hole in the sidewall of my tire. At first it looked as if the tire was just cut a little, but after I replaced the tube and inflated it, it blew again. Luckly I was riding with someone today and he had another spare tube. I placed a $1 bill inside the tire where the hole was and inflated the tube. Everything seemed great and in fact the patch did hold for the rest of the ride. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the repair when I was decending. I was initially planning on two loops around San Pablo reservoir, but my friend Brian did not have time to do the second loop and I did not want to risk being alone if something happened.

In the end it was a great ride and it was an excellent opportunity to try out some emergency repairs. It was very encouraging that it worked so well.

My calf was acting up a litlle after last weeks trail run. I went for a run after Sundays swim workout, but it starting getting worse so I cut the run short. This week we've decided to cut way back on running on order to give the leg some rest. I am really noticing that I do not bouce back from hard workouts like I used to. Getting old is a bitch! I don't feel old, but I guess I should face reality and don't over do it and make sure to take time to recover properly.

I felt great in the pool on Tuesday. Found a nice pace and kept it steady through out the workout. I was looking forward to getting back in the pool on Thursday, but life got in the way.

The spin workout on Wednesday evening was a but kicker as usual. Muscular endurance intervals for an hour or so. This is probably why I was feeling a little sluggish on the ride today. It was also cold and wet out there. I swear it was haling at on point. It's taken me 2 hours to get feeling back in my toes. I got it done though which I am happy about. I was very tempted to bail on the second loop around San Pablo reservoir. It was raining pretty good when I cam around the first time. Left would have been back to the car and warm clothes, but I just put my head down and went right for another round. This loop is about 20 miles all the way around and has it's share of climbs. We call it the Three Bears from the series of hills along Bear Creek Rd.

I broke down and joined a gym today. I hate the gym, but the deal was pretty good. One of my team members had freinds and family discounts available this weekend. The gym has a pool which meens I won't have to pay at the other pool anymore. That saving will make up most of the monthly dues. I figured I might get some use out of the weights as well so that justified the expense.

Looking forward to some guy time with the kids tonight, that's if my rotten teenager bothers to come home:-) I'm kidding of course, about the rotten part, he's a good kid. Mette going out with girl freinds tonight. But first I'm scheduled for a massage tonight. I need to get some blood flowing in the legs again.

I forgot how much I like running on trails. Had a terrific run today at Lake Chabot at Mama Lisa's anual New Years Day run. Although the run was nice, the news from Lisa was no so good. Lisa is one of my coaches and is, like her name implies, the mother of TNT in the Bay Area. She has nothing but goodness in her heart and is tireless in her support for the Society. Today she announced she has breast cancer. This cancer crap is going to get us all one of these day. It's scary for sure, but we're going to kick this one in the ass for you Mama Lisa.

X-mas holidays has a way of taking over in more ways than one. Of course there is the obligatory family stuff which tends to put a crimp in the workout schedule. Then there is all the food....WOW! Combine those two ellements and you can't help but put on a few pounds. That is exactly what I have done. Five pounds, to be exact, over the last week. I'm not to worried, as I pick up the workout pace I'll drop the weight fast enough. I did say that it was almost time to get back on track. There is still one more week of family, friends and food. I'm going to guess that I will not be entirely up to speed this week either, but I'll make more of an attempt:-D