Yesterday when I was sitting down to write my 2019 plan, I got a text to go for a ride, “now”. 
On thanksgiving John had talked to me about doing a cross country mountain bike race in early March. Which is of course insanely early. Great! I’m in.
Over the past several months work has gone from okay to insanely busy. Poor boundary setting on my part and a real desire to perform well and placing work over health, I’ve gone to pot. (figuratively)
So with an early season goal, and a partner in training to help with accountability, I’m off and running.
After returning from a ride that felt twice as long and hard as it should have, I wrote my training plan to get me to not only Echo Red to Red in shape, but ready to race the Chico Stage Race. I’ve been wanting to race an omnium or stage race for the past several years, but they aren’t close to home and require time away and a real dedication.
Usually, I would say it is way to early to start training in earnest, because the summer is so long. But this year I feel differently. The long work hours, and late nights have left my diet a mess, too many IPA’s and I am uncomfortable standing up straight when I get out of bed, and not in a good I just did a killer workout way.
I’ve also been threatening to start commuting by bike to work since my office moved further from my house. It’s now worth the effort to put all that shit on! My training plan incorporates two days of bike commuting on the days I am doing stretch and core.
Wish me luck!