Freeeeeeburg!

BIKE 65-ish miles in just under 4 hrs
RUN 3.2 miles in 30 mins

Yay my favorite Freeburg route! The Evolve group joined me (or I joined them, either way) for what was my first real long ride this season. Another beautiful day -- cloudy, light winds, cool temps. Almost makes it too easy!

I let myself get a little worked up over some stupid stuff early on, I'm sometimes still thinking like a club group events leader in that I want everyone to keep together, follow the rules, know the route, and be on time. So after a late start, a closed road, and 2 riders missing a turn I calmed down and settled in better. I know I need to focus on my ride, and do what I can to help everyone out. I'll get there.

As last year, I found some weakness on the hills. This will come back to me, as it did last year. I'm usually strong on the hills, so this bothered me a bit. I'll get there.

We rolled on and I loved the feeling of being on the bike again. So easy, so free. Free and easy Frea.

After a year off the long rides I was having some problems remembering the perfect nutrition plan I had previously. What I couldn't remember was how I set up me liquid nutrition?! I remember having a marked bottle that I diluted through the ride. How much did I drink per hour? Not sure then, today I did 100 calories per hour plus 150 calories of a bar. This worked, I felt good and zippy until just the last few miles, even more I was zippy enough that I took off on the brick run without taking a gel.

I almost didn't do the run. Well that's not true. I was maybe only 30% against doing it, pulling out the "I'm in recovery" excuse. But new rider JZ was also supposed to run, and in encouraging her to run I did the same for me! The run wasn't hard, only 30 mins. LC drove by and held out a chicken leg hand-up. lol, love it.

Great way to start my competitive season :)