My First 'Real' Recovery Ride

Up until this weekend, the term "Recovery Ride" — in an organized setting — always translated to "Okay, I can hang with these guys without getting spit out the back of the pack after 10 miles." I'd been hearing about Jack and Adams Sunday "recovery ride" and this weekend I finally decided to take the plunge. There is always a bit of trepidation that comes with such decisions. Never knowing how "recovery" is going to be defined for the super-fit tri community here in Austin, there is always a bit of anxiety. I've been on other "recovery rides" that are pretty much a scaled down version of a group ride that starts slow and then ramps to paceline speed within an hour. That is the point at which I realize 'their' recovery is pretty much my training. But not this week.

I was stoked to feel like it was truly a recover ride for me — no problems keeping up and settled in for medium effort. I am quickly feeling the benefits of a higher level of fitness this season and less weight to motor up the hills (30lbs lost since last year.) Met some great folks, enjoyed the 32 miles and realized yet again why Jack and Adams is truly one of the greatest assets to our community.