Getting better

Wednesday: Bike 20 miles, run 6 miles

Think I've got it figured out. I've scheduled myself six days of AWESOME off-plan workouts, during which I'm planning to do a 5,000-yard swim, a 100-mile ride, and a marathon (or near-marathon) death march (not all on the same day). Then on Monday, I go back on the training plan and stick to it like bug residue on sunglasses until the race. (Well, except for that extra week of taper…)

It's nice to have it figured out. Also — and this is another boost for my frame of mind — I had maybe my most fantastic ride ever today. I've been climbing the giant hill every chance I get, and today I did it like 5 minutes faster than the last time, feeling great all the way. (Thanks, recovery week, for the fresh legs and confidence boost!)

At the top of the hill are miles and miles of gradually descending rollers, which are really fun to ride on, but I didn't have time to do that. Instead, it was time to come back the way I came and relearn the art of descending. Actually, I'm pretty sure I know how to descend. (Hang on, keep your center of gravity low, and steer.) What I needed practice at was not freaking out and riding the brakes. I'm getting better!