The last few weeks have been bad for my exercise routine between my trip to New Zealand, family travel, Strategy Conference, and the Business Problems class. I did a few runs in there, but largely, I fell off the exercise wagon. With only four weeks or so until my crazy 200+ mile Seattle-to-Portland (STP) bike ride, I started to freak out a bit.

This weekend I decided it was time to get serious and get back on the bike. So, I went on a fifty mile ride Saturday with Bruce. Now, fifty miles is a good long ride for me, but this ride was especially tough. First, it's been four+ weeks since I've been on a bike. Second, the ride we took from Marymoor Park in Redmond to Carnation and back was pretty hilly (we did the Flying Wheels fifty mile loop). But most of all, I let my Ironman-finishing, somewhat sadistic friend Bruce dictate the pace of the ride. Instead of my typical 15-17 mph in the flats, we were doing 19-21. Even drafting behind Bruce, I was working hard. The hills were especially brutal, sapping my remaining energy. My back and neck were super sore and tired by the end of the ride, and my rear end wasn't super happy about sitting on a post for four hours.

Still, it was a fun ride. I'm happy that I felt pretty good the next day (and could walk). My gear feels pretty good now (although gloves with more pad would be welcome). I just need to put in a bunch more miles in the next few weeks.