Confidence boosters...

This week I had a couple of workouts that just blew me away.  As in they were so good (for me) that it was shock and awe over here.  I feel like I have had a lot of that lately.  Weird.  Maybe I just need to be more in touch with myself and where I am at in these things.

Thursday I was a little short on time so I decided to toss aside my pre-planned swim workout of 3100 meters and just swim a straight 3100.  (If you aren't into swimming, the time savings comes from not stopping every so often depending on the workout).  It can be pretty boring as you are just counting laps in your head the whole time.  I am not into the underwater music, I just like to think and swim.  ...but not think too much because then you forget what lap you are on.  Was that 2 or 4?  Oops.  Anyhow, I managed to do it in about 57 minutes which is right on target for where I hoped to be.  Woot!

Today, I rode the GA400 Metric Century.  This was a re-do from last year. (The Hardest Bike Ride Evah...)  It still held true to its name but there was no hill walking this time.  I spent Friday afternoon getting re-fitted on my bike.  The changes were from the ground up lining up cleats, seat, bars.  It all added up to giving me a lot more power.  (I say 'a lot" but it is all relative, right?).  Anyhow, it was enough that I could tell a difference immediately.  Usually, the fast and even medium fast group drops me immediately and I end up riding most of the ride with very few people around.  Today I was surrounded by groups of riders from start to finish.

When we got to the "three sisters" that kicked my butt last year,  I climbed them with no problem.  It was hard but didn't feel like I needed to stop.  (When I got to that section, I passed 10 people walking their bikes up the big sister and only one guy and myself were actually riding).  That was my one and only goal for this ride.  I didn't care about speed, I just wanted to make it up the three sisters without having to walk.  Cross that off the list!

At the end of the ride, I had someone behind me on a long straight stretch.  I could tell they were back there because I could hear the spinning.   When we got the light, this guy thanked me for pulling him along and said I had a great pace and was really smooth pedaling.  (trust me, this NEVER happens).  Was so proud of myself at that moment.  It was icing on the cake to a fabulous ride!

When I got home I looked at my stats from last year compared to this year.  Last year - I averaged a 12.2 mph pace (I mentioned the crazy climbing, right?).  This year - I averaged 16.2 mph.  Pure craziness.  Maybe all these century rides are paying off.  As my friend KC says, if you want to improve you need to ride upgrades not buy upgrades.   She is so wise.

Hope you guys had a nice weekend!  Going to try and get a long run in tomorrow.  (We had our septic tank repaired on my regular long run day so tomorrow I MUST MUST MUST get it in!).  Check out the name of the tank - the stool bus.  HA.  (and ick).  :)