Rockwall Technology Park (RTP) turned out to be a great place to skate. It’s 0.96 miles of good (though somewhat textured) concrete with 12 feet variation between the low and high points. It’s exposed so I get whatever wind we have; that’s a good thing since keeping a low skating position into the wind is something I need to work on. I hate going around and around a boring business park, but I think it’s going to be my go-to place. I wonder why they didn’t plant trees or conserve what they could of the ones that were there? Check Silicon Valley, for example, or Research Triangle. Scientists and engineers work better in a more nature-filled environment.
My favorite part of Tuesday night is the two and a half mile sprint up Katy Trail, toward the end of the skate. This week Timo was pulling, I had the tail, and Elizabeth was sandwiched in the middle. She did an amazing job of hanging on and skating well for almost two miles at about 15 m.p.h. (I’d never seen her skate that fast). Then she was dragging and Timo was looking impatient so I followed him for a half mile at 17 m.p.h. It was as good as it gets for me. Smooth pavement. I had a good low skating position and was pushing strong. I know Timo could have bumped it up 2 or 3 m.p.h. and dropped me, but I appreciated his grace.
I could really feel how important ankle strength is. It’s one of the things I’d like to work on at the gym. Even when my legs have more to give, I’m hosed if my ankles won’t hold me up!
I’m joining 24-Hour Fitness today, btw. I want to work on leg and core muscle strength and (this is the biggest benefit) they’re all over town so I’ll always have a place to shower up after a skate!
Short intervals tonight at RTP, probably around 7:00.
6-15: 12 miles at Los Colinas with the Texas Flyers
6-14: day off
6-13: 14 miles at Rockwall Technology Park
avg. speed for 26.2: (goal: 16 m.p.h. – a bit unrealistic, really)
2070 km / 1286 miles YTD (goal: 2000 km / 1243 miles)
76.2 kg / 168 lbs (goal: 70 kg / 155 lbs – not gonna happen)
