let the weekend fun begin!

Training this week hasn't been as epic as I hoped it'd be for my last big week going into O-side. Workouts are a bit of a struggle and I even skipped/rearranged a couple sessions--just a couple!--when I wasn't feelin it. I've put in some solid hours and am pretty much on schedule, but I've also listened to my body. Really, there's no significant fitness left to gain a few weeks out from a race, but you can definitely dig yourself into a hole if you don't play it smart.
.
I swam a 1.2-mile time trial on Tuesday after reading a great article by Matt Fitzgerald and realizing I hadn't swam that far non-stop since November, oops! Unfortunately, I can't say the swim TT was the highlight workout of my week, ugh; I think my a.m. Wednesday ride takes that honor (minus some DOMS from Tues back squats). It was just one of those perfect rides with an eternal smile and lots of pain & suffering. Toward the beginning of the 3-hr *sunny* adventure I tested out what I was capable of on the Santiago Time Trial course: 11 miles, with the first 3 all uphill. It's a route I've done countless times on my rides, but I've never timed myself on that specific stretch. I had fun and I'll probably do the TT next time they have one.
.
Right after the TT at Irvine Lake. Note the jersey. Since Gran Fondo got rained out, I made a point to wear that new top-dollar jersey and make the ride my own little GF. Looking at this picture also makes me think it's time for a new helmet.

-----------------

Other big news relating to our RAHA Tri Team came out this week. The Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team, which is under the RAHA Sports umbrella, announced this week that Floyd Landis is on the team. Pretty cool! I met Floyd in 2008 (?) at the Dana Point Grand Prix (doubt he'd remember) and have always liked him despite the BS he's faced.
.
Tonight is the Pro Team Launch Party up at the Nokia Theater in LA, so Lauren, Tatiana, Sara, me and our guests will be VIP-ing with the crowd. Should be fun. I'm not one to be into "VIP club scene" parties, but when you throw in pro athletes, top executives from big cycling companies and sporty people, then sign me up! I'll be sure to take pics and tell you how it goes!
.
On Saturday afternoon, I'm heading to San Diego yet again with my mom. (Anyone want to do dinner?!) We're running the Xterra Black Mountain 15k Sunday morning... a race on significantly tired legs, hmmm. Let's just hope a freak storm doesn't ruin this race too! But the weather is pretty darn nice right now, so I think we'll be good to go. In fact, the weather is so nice (like almost in the 70s) that I actually ran in just a sports bra (and shorts of course) for the first time all year today! I have to even out that swimsuit tan--my back is like 6x darker than my stomach. I also tested out a special surprise that came my way... sockless, laceless & sexy Zoot shoes.... Anyways, hope everyone has some fun stuff planned for the weekend. Enjoy!