This year started out with a very well thought-out plan. Weaknesses were assessed, goals were made, and workouts were mapped out. The focus was clear, get as fast as I can for short-event racing as possible. It included a mix of winter base riding time, spring and early summer XC and STXC racing, summer crits and hard intervals all geared to get better at cross. Somewhere in there I forgot to have fun so I have been focused on changing that. I am trying new things and the latest new thing on my radar is the Steelman Triathlon . I figure it this way- if I can get through the 800 meter swim without drowning I should be able to finish in a respectable time. Ive started running again and can already handle the 5k run (although my legs and knee still hurt a bit from it) and the 13 mile bike section is something that I know I can already do without problems. Even cooler, Sue (virtual little sister and wife to Cody) from Swim-In Zone is planning on doing it too, so I will have some company out there.

So with that, my plan has officially gone completely out the window. I am re-focusing on overall fitness and fun so hopefully along the way I will still get faster. At the very least I will lose a bit more weight so that’s only going to help. Once we get into mid-august I will turn back to the ‘plan’ with intervals and cross-specific training, but until then Im going to make a game out of it. Heres to FUN!

Ride fast, take chances….and I guess run and swim a little too.

/Dan