a good start to 2010

so the first month of 2010 is in the books.  it's been a great start to the year.  just being married, new years in mexico, a killer party for our birthday's/wedding with all of our friends at wine steals, and a lot of good training both solo and with good friends.

this week has flown by which is always a good thing... at least work wise. everything seems like it's clicking.

i am definitely starting to feel the affects from my base and strength training. thanks to the strength classes at Rehab United I feel like my overall body and core strength is improving... rapidly. As a group we have been working really hard and as much as I get beatdown during the workouts i really look forward to them.

Next week they are offering free classes.  I high recommend anybody in the area that has ever had any inclination to try one of these classes to show up.  These workouts WILL make a difference when it comes to your racing and training.

I am also seeing gains on the bike which is what it's all about. the big gear work is getting a bit easier and i am getting up the climbs faster. I have two more weeks of base phase training after this week and they will be BIGGEST (in terms of volume) weeks i have ever put in on the bike back to back. if i can make it through and recover the benefits will be huge!

here's a screenshot of a "big gear" climb i did this week.  tough one!

Thursday afternoon i headed to Rehab United for a tough work out and then hung around afterwards with Trevor and the Skinfit crew to help promote Skinfit at the Triathlon Club of San Diego monthly meeting.  It was fun catching up with people I haven't seen in a while and talking with people about Skinfit.  Skinfit is hands down the the best gear I have worn in training and racing.  there is no way i could ridden in the conditions i have this year with out the baselayers and outerwear.

Friday was a mellow recovery day and I hit Encinitas Alehouse for happy hour with friends.  i was stoked when we got there that they had Green Flash Le Freak on draft... a great belgian IPA.

saturday was beth's b-day and she headed out to east county to ride with her friends and i got in a solid ride too.  i met up with trevor, eric, brandon, and phil and knocked the longest ride i have done this year.  great ride and a lot of fun.

i hit it again on sunday with Trevor, Jim, Phil, and Brandon.  I got in 80 more miles.  Great ending to a solid week of training.  I think it's the most miles I have put in a week.  The only bummer is that it was all the miles were on the road.  with the rain we've had the trails are still pretty torn up and I don't want tear them up any more.  I can't wait to get back on the dirt. 

I am really absorbing all the training i am doing right now and it feels good.

some random photos from the week.

BBQ Cobb chicken salad with grilled veggies.  one of my favorite meals.