17th street causeway in Fort Lauderdale. Woke up last night at midnight after basically passing out at 9:30 with the feeling like someone dumped cement into my lungs. Almost at the point of panic. Hit the inhalers, slathered Vick's VapoRub on chest and put on a BreatheRight strip.

I wasn't expecting a good ride today with feeling like this. I even told some people in the group to expect to drop me on the climb over the bridge. However, sometimes life suprises you. We started up the bridge and I just looked down at the wheel in front of me and hung on until almost the top. I was pretty winded and couldn't even descend fast. I was detemined NOT to be dropped though. The group caught a red light and just as it turned green, I caught them. I jumped to 2nd in the paceline and when it was my turn for a pull, I even had one of the guys in back of me asking to slow down.

Next thing I know, I am part of a three person breakaway, somehow managing to continue to do short (1.5 minute) pulls. I actually dropped the two other guys on the return trip. I felt bad b/c I passed Gabriela who apparently turned around b/c her asthma was acting up. She asked me as I caught and passed her if I had inhalers, but I didn't.

The trip back over 17th Street Causeway was amazing. Instead of spinning, I kept it in a high gear and stood and hammered. Amazing how effortless it felt. Ended up with the closest finisher about 4 minutes behind me. I'll have to contract bronchitis for the ride if it makes me ride that well.