Training weekend 5.16 5.17

With all the racing I have been doing the last month, it was a nice change of pace to be home and hit the dirt for a ride. Once again this weekend I learned the importance of race recovery. It's not just a physical game, it's mental as well. My spirits were soaring after a 4.5 hour mountain bike ride on Saturday. I was lucky to ride with great friends who patiently waited for me at the top and bottom of every trail head. I'm a bit out of practice, on the mountain bike, since racing season started. It was a tough day of riding that put me straight into a nap session after the ride. Sunday I had madison training on the schedule. It was a change of pace for me to sleep in till 9a.m. and work on home stuff. On the way into Madison training my partner told me it was cancelled. My Coach advised me to ride how I feel. So I did..... 1300 feet of climbing in 13 miles in just over an hour. Attached is a photo just at the base of my first climb. A man who goes by Norm made this figurines out of trash and displays then on the roadside. Kind of weird but people love them. He has notes under some of the artwork thanking people for their kind words about his art. It was nice to stop and enjoy the view and the art. As fun as training is; life has a lot to offer too. Remember to enjoy the satisfaction of being home and cleaning out the junk drawer or diving into a DVD you haven't seen it awhile or just do something for you that you haven't in awhile.