Santa Ana on Sunday, local ride today

Rachel and I went down to the Santa Ana River Trail Sunday. She did her 10 miles and I did my 40. My average speed was up half a mile an hour. Riding hurt at first like I wasn't recovered from Saturday's VO2 Max test. I'm not sure why I felt like my quads were on fire but I motored along and dealt with it until it went away. Perhaps it was just that after my VO2 Max test I couldn't pedal to cool down because the computer needed me still to calculate recovery time so I began cramping as the lactic acid kept building up but for a short time and couldn't go anywhere. In any case, whatever the reason I averaged a faster pace than previously so I'll just be happy with it. My previous pace average was 20.7 mph whereas this weekend's pace was 21.2 mph. Not bad especially considering the headwind down to the beach was a bit of a butt kicker.

Today I rode 22.9 miles around town. It's a decent little route. It's listed as "weekly longer route" on the right sidebar. It's funny how things tend to go in life sometimes. Yesterday I called my dad to wish him a happy Father's Day and we got talking about cycling, weather extremes and why people are compelled to drag their bodies through extreme heat and/or humidity...much less without causing injury to themselves because of it. I told him that any cyclist knows that as long as they hydrate and take in the appropriate amount of electrolytes and other fuels our bodies require and are physically fit enough to ride in weather extremes can do while keeping injury risks minimal. Yesterday we talked a bit at length about it as my dad was in disbelief and awe about the physiological capabilities of the human body and today I was out riding a pretty good pace in 99 degree weather. It's mildly entertaining how things in life work out this way.

As a side note, I've started mixing in whey protein with my OJ, banana, strawberry and blueberry smoothies after I ride. The extra protein after rides should aid in better and hopefully faster recovery times.

It's a little after 9 pm and I'm exhausted so I'm turning in. Good night!