Event Report: Bo Bikes Bama : I Love It When a Plan Comes Together

 I'm not sure if this is where I first heard it, but "I love it when a plan comes together" is something I say regularly:

As mentioned in my previous blog entry, I started this year unfit. I laid out a plan to fix that to include managing diet, following a workout plan, and completing a list of events for the year. The first 2 planned items were meant to prove to myself that I am ready for the first planned triathlon. The first was the Statue-to-Statue 15K and the second was the Bo Bike Bama 60 mile ride that I completed today. Those are both now behind me and the prove is completed!

The ride went well, but the last 20 miles had some good climbing in it. Given the first 40 miles, I was expecting an easy finish. The camaraderie amongst the riders was awesome. It felt like a party on wheels. Folks meander around and pick up conversations. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am happy to contribute to Bo's cause to provide assistance for those impacted by terrible storms.

Results

April 23, 2022: Birmingham, AL Bo Bikes Bama 60 Mile Ride [59.2 per Garmin]
	Distance:	59.2 Miles
	Time:	3:49:12
	Heart Rate:	116
	Pace:	15.5 mph
	Weather:	Scattered Clouds 58° - 76° 87% - 50% Humidity

Race Report: From Fat-Ass on Couch to 15K in 90 Days

I am sure my vast array of followers and readers have been wondering, "Where is Bob?".  Well, not really. I realize that my celebrity status is...Not! But, It has been nearly 5 years since I posted anything here. I have continued to train and complete triathlons and other types of events. I just didn't blog them here and I am going to bypass engaging any sense of I should create any posts for those events. They will remain mysteries from the point of view of this blog. But, let's get back to today's event and the brief trail that led to it beginning on Monday, January 3, 2022.

On April 20, 2019, I had a bike crash in Cedartown, Georgia. I broke my clavicle and suffered a concussion. Here's some evidence. Let's start with the clavicle:

And, here's about 6 minutes of me thinking my lights have come back on from the concussion, but as you

can tell in the video, they hadn't. Time passes, my brain regains it's function, my clavicle is repaired:

Oh, and while I was recovering from the surgery, I had a wonder experience with 2 separate hospital admissions in Florida (Tampa, then Vero Beach) for MRSA precipitated by paronychia. 

 But, alas, I overcame all of that. Then, 2020 comes! COVID-19 shuts down the world, I get infected and survive. I never really pick my healthy, active life style up again and fast forward to January 1, 2022! I'm 210 pounds, unfit, and ashamed of myself. So, I did like many others and declared a resolution, "I am going to start eating healthy, working out, and resume participating in Triathlons. And, well, I have been pretty good. I am now 178 pounds and today I ran a 15K that I have done quite a few times over the years, the Statue-to-Statue 15K in Birmingham, AL. 

Training

So, January 3, I started training by doing 1 mile in 17 minutes and it was tough. I have been swimming, biking, and running. I have been maintaining pretty good consistency and thanks to eMeals, I have maintained good management of my diet. And, today, I had an awesome race day. It is good to be back!

Results

April 2, 2022: Birmingham, AL BTC Statue to Statue 15k/span> 15K, 9.3 Miles
	Distance:	9.3 Miles
	Time:	1:50:33
	Heart Rate:	157
	Pace:	11:53
	Weather:	Mostly Cloudy 52° 50% Humidity