Whew..it's Monday. I really need to get some work done which I am behind on. Tuesday is my first official competitive time trial. All part of preparation for October's Louisiana's State MTB competition. I am entering as a beginner but I think it's funny because there will be not be too many real beginners in it. The guys that I know who will be in it are by no means beginners as they have been serious MTB guys for years but since they haven't been riding competitively until this year they have been racing all year regionally as beginners. Also they are bunch of skinny guys. I wonder if I am still a clysedale. I stopped lifting weights totally to try to lose all excess bulk. I don't want to carry anything unneccessarily up a hill anymore. Two hill climbing repeats last week and my race pace on Thursday has my legs feeling stronger. I was good covering attacks on hills during Friday's group ride and also attacking the others. With these particular guys I let them make their move because I know they are gonna slow down.

Saturday I spent the day in class for required eduation, and went to Indian Fitness for their Saturday night TDF party. Good time, but I found it funny though on how many local "serious" bikers don't keep up with professional cycling. There was a couple there, Brian and Tina who do keep up with professional cycling and it was fun talking with them, there. I got a free pump for my front MTB shocks...sweeet! Sunday was way too hot for anything, 105 heat index. It was 94F at 5:30pm!

I gotta do something about forcing myself to go sleep earlier. I am feeling like crap for lack of sleep. It's like I am afraid of going to sleep because I will miss out on something? But with this heat I really need to be riding in the mornings to keep my mileage up because it has dropped in the last couple of weeks. Also I gotta watch my nutrition better to make sure I am recovering with this new preperation phase I am in.

I couldn't help but shed a tear or two during the final ceremony of the TDF yesterday. It happens to me while I watch a really tough competition. Maybe I can imagine and appreciate the price they have had to pay to get there.

Last week I officially proclaimed myself as neither conservative or liberal. I would rather take each issue on it's own merit.