D2D and SBFL

photo credit

Rolling out in a few hours to meet up with Dave for Dawn 'til Dusk in Gallup on Saturday then the Sedona Big Friggin' Loop on Sunday. If that was not enough endorphins for one weekend, I plan on driving down (after the SBFL on Sunday) to the Ironman AZ to volunteer from 7pm-11pm as people finish the marathon section.

Decline in National Park attendance

Overall, the number of people who visit national park sites has been on a steady decline for almost 20 years — with a handful of exceptions.

Sad. Read this next one that hits at why....

We like our soft pillows and Jacuzzi baths too much, it is said. The population is aging. A study earlier this year, from the National Academy of Sciences, suggested that the downward trend included nearly all outdoor activities. They blamed it on electronic media, particularly games.
The Ghosts of Casa Grande

As a child, we vacationed in National Parks. Zion is probably one of my favorite parks; just in the last year, I have been there 3 times. It might be time to add some parks to the list of things to hit this summer on the bike.

Hills

Did a hill ride up in the foothills early this morning while some clouds came in over Lemmon. I took Swan up to Coronado (+20% grade) a few times before dropping back down to Skyline/Ina. The picture above is looking up at Lemmon from Coronado (yesterday I forgot to mention that I saw Auntie Joe and Uncle TC on my ride). On the way home, I stopped to get some coffee and just enjoy the weather for about 20 minutes. Sitting at a coffee shop/juice bar after a hard ride is by far one of the best things in life.

Hit the gym for some strength workouts before heading into work.

Mileage on road bike since Monday: 121.65

Arizona Trail Race 300

Image from 2007 AZT 300 starters arriving after a night of heavy rain and wind at Parker

The GPX file and cue sheets for the 2008 AZT 300 are now up thanks to Scott. The stats are almost the same as last year; just a few, minor course alterations that add some new singletrack. 300 miles, w/ 40,000 feet of climbing.

I know of at least 10 people that will be at the starting line for sure, of those, 2-3 people "touring" in a 4-5 day schedule. I am going to toss myself in the category of racing again this year. If you remember from last year, I rode the race with just my camelbak and a fleece blanket. My approximate ride time last year on Friday and Saturday was 15 hours and 18 hours respectively, the two longest days on a bike that I had ever done up to the AZT 300.

Things light LED lights, space food, and electrolytes are a given, but questions still remain.... sleeping bag vs. fleece blanket or FS vs hardtail.

R.A.M.

It has been too long since I rode my bike, 6 days to be exact. So I did what any sane, quiescent cyclist would do, put on the new Pearl Izumi P.R.O. shorts and went for a road ride, a 49.5-mile ride around the town of Marana. In the pack was my inhaler, a few mojo bars (this weather is making the mojo bars melt in the back of my shirt), one hammer gel, and two water bottles. At around 3 hours, I made pretty good time considering my leisurely pace.

Eastbound Union Pacific train pic for Gpa Ross

Marana agriculture

I met some tourers that are traveling to the Grand Canyon, Mike and Diana. The whole time we were talking, I was thinking that I need to do another trip like the PCH 300 last August. I ended the conversation asking them if they wanted to take a shower and/or stay at my house tonight. I wasn't surprised to hear them say they'd rather be out camping in the desert. F&% yeah is all I could think of as I rode off. A possible very long, summer ride is in the brew for me.

After the ride, I hit the hills and sand some more for some hike-a-bike training, around 4 miles. After the run, I made my last Pacific Salmon dinner for a few months (maybe more?) and then did some strength training. More news in the AZ Star about cycling, like Should cyclists have to pay insurance?...makes me think that it is another slow day in the world of news.

Asthma?

I had traces of asthma as a child, although I was never really put on an inhaler. After I did PEE in November, I had some massive breathing problems for a week after the race, same thing with the 24 hour race and the Rim Ride.

Today, I went to urgent care about my unrelenting cough that started after my successful bout with allergies. I am going to see my doctor tomorrow to do some more tests, but the PA said that it might be asthma or induced asthma (from exercise or allergies). Until then, I have an inhaler that I will be using 3 times a day until my cough dwindles.

I'll go down fighting, but as it looks now, a bid for the AZT 300 "finisher" title is going to be even more challenging if I can't lose the cough.

Addendum: I feel a lot better just using the inhaler as directed by my PA. I was worried that my cough would start to impede my riding the rest of the week, thereby altering my riding for the 2 weeks prior to the AZT 300. I hope to get back on the bike soon, since last week was spent off the bike.

It Feels Like You Ate A Lot of Wasabi

Had to attack a runny nose today that would not stop, some tips from NPR that actually worked. Still doing some recovery from the RR. Hopeful about feeling 100% better by tomorrow for a long road ride.

Edit to post on Friday morning: Yeah, um. So that worked.....temporarily. My allergies have never been this bad, eyes are going crazy, nose is uber runny. Lynda recommended some Quercetin, so I am headed over to GNC to get some and some coffee from Coffee Point. Rationale: if you have to suffer through allergies you might as well do it with some nice coffee.

Any allergy advice is welcome and will be heeded.