Endorphin coma

We've had a great day today in East Freetown Massachusetts. I skipped the morning swim so that I could have uninterrupted cuddle time with my husband! Wow, it's nice not to have a little 5 year old imp wake us up at the wee hours. The weather was supposed to be bad in the morning, but it cleared around 9am, so we packed the car up and drove one hour to the Cathedral Park where Patriot's Half Ironman will take place on June 18 (did I say I am going to do Mooseman, no, I don't think so).

My goals for the day were: 1) have fun with Chris, and 2) get in a great workout. In order for nr. 1 to happen, I needed a plan for Chris. You see, he bikes daily to work, and takes weekend short rides, max 25 miles. If he was going to have a good 60 mile ride, he needed help in the form of: 1) bike shorts - the guy rides in jeans and is overall anti gear; enter my E21 bike shorts which I can't wear (I can only wear Terry bike shorts); 2) food - the guy is tall and skinny with a metabolism of a 14 year old kid; I needed him to get at least 1000 cals on the bike; enter gels, 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on Flying Pig bread, and 3 Z bars; 3) electrolyte help - the guy does not take anything but water and he is also plagued by cramps during hard efforts; enter E21 pills.

The ride was a huge success. The course is pretty flat, but the winds today were so strong, such that I was at times at close to 45 degrees angle on the bike and tensing up like crazy in fear that I would fall. We got lost during the first loop, and a bit during the second one, but we laughed, we played catch on the bike, and admired the beautiful scenery. We also got to talk uninterrupted, adult, endorphin induced open talk; the best! Chris did amazing and loved the ride. No cramping, no bonking! My strategy worked!

After the ride I headed out for a 6 mile run on the half marathon course. I felt wobbly during the first half mile, and ran a slowish first mile, but ended up with a solid 6 miler at 7:20 pace, HR 165, last mile at 6:55. I take it. After the run I took an ice bath in the Long Pond, which was uneventful other than me tripping on a rock in the middle of the Mary J Blige/Bono remix of One, and falling face in, Garmin, Ipod and all (still functioning!).

Back at home and I feel great. Last year I felt so trashed after workouts similar to this one. But today? I felt only the endorphins! Amazing. I ended up unpacking, cleaning up my closet, doing laundry and picking up the house for our basketball party tonight! My body is certainly stronger, but I also think I know how to take care of it: sleep, recovery tights, more food on the bike, icebath and E 21. I am amazed at how much my body can handle these days.

Tomorrow we pick Petru up. He's been having a great time with Grandma and he might not want to come back home, where he is not the center of the universe 24/7. Ha!

I am super excited about tomorrow. I will be glued to the TV and computer. Good luck to all the Boston runners!