Baby it's cold outside...

So, my first week of training under the plan Lynda gave me is done. I'm on a less custom plan then in the past, but so far the only difference that I really noticed is that snow boarding is listed as an option for the weekend. Trust me, snowboarding would not be a good idea for someone who is as uncoordinated as me :-) Anyways, back to the plan. Most of the days were short but painful intervals, and I ended up getting a nice 4 hour ride in outside during the weekend.

My friend Bonnie joined me for the ride outside, and it's always nice having company this time of year. My legs were a tiny bit tired from the intervals, but the fact that my lungs are finally 100% again makes up for everything. It was so nice to ride outside and not feel like I was suffocating. Like I said, I have a whole new appreciation for my lungs!!!

They main roads were pretty dry, a novelty in December...

Dirt roads...not so dry. But that's OK. We got to practice our ice riding skills!

Bonnie stopping for a drink. Looking at this picture now makes me wonder why we thought it was a good idea to stop on the wrong side of the icy road with oncoming traffic!?!?

I think (key word being THINK!) I've officially made the transition to winter riding. It usually takes about a month for me to get used to the layering, the cold and the never ending grey. Once I actually get out though it's OK. And it's funny how quickly the cold weather becomes relative. For instance, on Saturday temps were only in the mid-30's, but it felt warm to me. But then I think I jinxed us because I kept exclaiming about how tame the weather was and what happens the next day? A whole lot of nasty. A combination of single digit temps/rain/snow/ice/watching cars do doughnuts outside of my window made it a good day for HBO and the trainer.

Looking ahead, my schedule looks a lot like last weeks. More hill intervals and longer rides on the weekend. In fact I'm currently taking applications for winter ride buddies, so feel free to apply. My only requirements are that you like coffee and gummy bears....

PS. Have you seen the NUE series schedule yet??? A lot more choices next year!!!