Tahoe Pictures and Assorted Thoughts

So first and foremost, I have posted the pictures from our Lake Tahoe trip. That place is absolutely beautiful:

We really had a great time at Ruth’s wedding, and it was great getting to hang out with people who don’t get to see very often at all.

Two days ago I woke up at 6 AM and went ride my bike. This had several advantages: 1) it was much cooler and 2) I was done with my ride by 8 AM. However, Tuesday night was pretty tired. We did trivia at the Flying Saucer on Tuesday night, so between some beverages during trivia and my early rise/exercise, I was pretty exhausted when we got home.

Tonight is the Driveway. I believe it’s the elevation loop. It’s not the easiest course to move up on if you slide to the back, so I am really going to have to focus on not sliding to the back to begin with. It really takes consistent effort. Somebody told me once if you aren’t passing somebody then somebody is passing you. Maybe that’s true. Regardless, I really need to be aware of that. Last week resting for a few seconds turned into moving 10 people backward. Can’t let that happen.

Last night I made an Okra and Shrimp masala. It turned out really delicious, though a bit spicy for Carrie’s palate. I thought it was fantastic. I took the fresh okra and cooked it super hot in some olive oil to de slime it, then threw in the onions, bell pepper, and seeded and deveined serranos. Gave that a bit to sauté, then put in the garam masala, anchum powder, and cumin that we have acquired for our neighborhood Indian grocery. Added a canned of fire-roasted stewed tomatoes and the shrimp, and boom, done. It was fantastic.

Today I am having a cup of coffee. Not very much. It’s mostly almond milk. But I was really craving for some coffee. I have really been enjoying my tea, but I still like the taste of coffee, and decided I’d give it a go today. I don’t think coffee was the cause of any of my heart/stress issues, but I don’t necessarily think it was helping. I have felt much more relaxed the last week and a half, so I figured a little coffee wasn’t going to hurt anything.

Labor day weekend is the Tour of Austin. Four days of racing (1 time trial, 3 crits) around Austin and my first real racing goal since I started this whole thing in February. The next few weeks I’m putting my training as a top priority, and I plan on putting more strictness back in my diet. Since I have achieved my weight goal, for the most part, I have been a little less strict with the diet the past two months. However, I really want to put good fuel in the next few weeks before the race.

I guess that’s it, hopefully I’ll have some good news from the Driveway tonight. Take it easy, everybody!