[caption id="attachment_4242" align="alignright" width="300"] Typical scenery within the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge[/caption] This weekend I rode the Six Pillars Century and chose to do the Eagleman Course, which was the 56.2 route used by the Eagleman 70.3. The Six pillars Century starts and ends at Great Marsh Park nestled along the Choptank River in Cambridge, MD, which sits next to the Chesapeake Bay.           [caption id="attachment_4244" align="alignright" width="300"] Sunset view of the Choptank River in Cambridge, MD near the ChesapeakThe ride offers several courses including a century, the Eagleman Course, and a shorter family friendly route. The terrain is absolutely gorgeous and is a mixture of farmland and wetlands within the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4241" align="alignright" width="200"] Start of the Six Pillars Century and my Champion System Thermoshield Jacket[/caption] The ride was actually a perfect opportunity to test my new Champion System's Thermoshield Cycling Jacket custom designed for EFRT. The weather was in the high 40s to low 50s throughout the morning with winds gusting up to 15mph. The thermoshield was the perfect jacket for this weather and kept me plenty warm throughout the ride. Overall, I felt pretty good during the entire 56.2 miles given the colder weather, the wind, and my continually changing work/sleep schedule. In looking ahead to Columbia Triathlon in 1.5 weeks I have realized this race season will be one of managing expectations. I try to race some of the same courses year after year, but this year will be a bit different from the past due a rotating job schedule that shifts from days to nights and I am in Graduate School working toward a Masters in Business Administration. Despite these changes I have worked hard in the time that I have to maintain fitness levels. Most importantly though I am thankful to be able to have the ability to race and complete charity events. [caption id="attachment_4243" align="alignright" width="200"] My wife and son met up with me around mile 40. I also realized I need to get some new knee warmers to go with the current color scheme.[/caption]