Best Brick Yet

Its Saturday so we were back at Canada and Edgewood for a brick workout of biking then running. There was a Stanford Sprint Triathlon but I couldn't get a spot when I tried to sign up. I wasn't too sad about that since they were swimming at Redwood Shores (yuck!). I was late to the workout so I missed all the information about the ride, but figured this time I would just keep everyone in my sight. I let the fast group go past and waited for some people I thought would be easy to keep up with.

I was following two women. I would normally have passed them but I didn't want to get lost again since I didn't even look at the map that was sent out beforehand. I figured this was a good pacing exercise. At the end of Whiskey Hill Road, two members of the fast group were at the stop sign working on their bikes. The two girls I was following stopped. Some team members behind caught up. Everybody stopped and were just waiting.

As we stood there for a few minutes the coach's wife who just caught up with us took off. I figured I'd just follow her. She had a good pace for me. I was able to keep her in my sights even though I caught several stop lights. I almost lost her at the Junipero Sierra intersection, the one I took the wrong turn on last time but luckily guessed right this time.

When we reached Portola several members of the fast group came out of a parking lot. I was surprised to see them then a little amused that they could stop and have coffee while they waited for the rest of us (this isn't really what they did).

We made it to the Portola turnoff and the person I was following stopped to wait for someone. Now I was on my own. I kinda feel like I always end up that way. I'm not usually with the fast group but usually in front of the pack. At this point I knew where to go and just headed back to the start. I made it to my car, loaded the bike, changed my shoes, and started to run as the coach got back. He yelled "have fun" and for some reason that didn't sound appropriate. I guess that is just me ;-)

On my run the fast group was headed back. I caught a few people in front of me and passed them. My goal was to make it to the Filoli gate before I turned around. I ran up most of the hills but walked a few of the really muddy downhills. I felt good so I knew I could physically do the run if I didn't talk myself out of it. I didn't see anyone else and didn't hear anyone behind me. I figured I was running a little farther than others but I still wanted to reach my goal. I made it to the gate and it felt like a huge accomplishment.

On the way back I took the road to avoid all the mud. I caught up to a bunch of runners who were turning around at about the half-way point from Edgewood and the gate. I missed the kickoff instructions so I'm guessing that might have been the instructions and why I didn't see anyone else close to the gate.

I got back to hear some announcements about next week's practice tri. People started leaving so I did the same. I had lots to do so was happy to get back to the kids.