Beer?

Not a moment too soon. Spring is thirteen days off. YESSSS. Sunshine, warmth, the garden, local produce, commuting by bike, no more hauling firewood in the dark and damp, races, BEER!

Alright, because I recognize that so much is riding on this analysis, here are the February 'no beer' test numbers. We started February at 163 lbs, and between 9-11% body fat. Resting HR has been steady at 44. My second CompuTrainer TT showed a 5.5% increase in speed. All my credit cards show zero balance and I might even be able to pay both property tax installments at once. Gas is at 3.70/gal and Guinness is on-sale at Safeway for $1.74/can. And results?

Five more in the loss column. This morning (after class) we were at 158. Bad news if you like beer. Since we started this one-man testing protocol in December (no bread) we have now dropped a total of ten pounds, and increased P2K (power to kilogram) almost 6%. That is the good news. How it plays out in the racing arena will soon be discovered. And I am suspecting good news there as well. Like in Mercer Island in two weeks for a half-mary. One more ramp week and we start the taper.

Some variables during this long, sometimes painful self-abnegation period include; The switch to red wine, inclusion of twice weekly chiropractic adjustments, massage and the vigilant ramp up in run training, including strength, speed and distance. The switch to wine and addition of meditation has kept the stress demons at bay, and Lord knows I get plenty of creative challenge, thereby completing the BIG THREE triad of working mind, body and spirit through diet, exercise and stress management. Everything else is a bonus.

The balance of this combination feels great. I think it was a worthwhile test and I am ready to get outside and mix it up. The sun is shinning and the skies are blue. I wanna bike hard and run fast with you.

Then we can have a beer.

Pix: Kelly Williamson wins Branson 70.3, demonstating what a high P2K ratio can do. Cheers, Kelly, great work.