Category: 4
Result: Back of pack

Question: Can 15th place out of 19 dudes make one happy and loaded with confidence like they just won a race?
Answer: Yes it can! :)

How: Going into the TT I had very low expectations. I know I've been riding a lot, 53 hours last training block, because I've got no real day job. But with all the interruptions,injuries and lack of racing since January, I've basically started over from scratch.

I opted to use this as a fit test. Knowing the course, my goal was modest. ± 1:00 min of last years time and I'd be a happy boy.

My plan was simple. I'd wouldn't let the HR dip below LT threshold. If it went over because I was feeling good I'd let it go. I figured with the lack of racing and speed work I'd be suffering like no tomorrow and it'd be a long, long day. I mainly wanted to focus on a strong power start, pedal stroke, cadence, and then HR.

When I got to Winters, the starting point, it was very windy, 15-18 mph.(More suffering) At points I'd get a killer tail wind but I'd have to fight it on the last two straights when I was sure I'd be dead, nothing left and in a world of hurt. I'd have to focus on my gearing as well. I got there in plenty of time. I did the Ziggy Pre Race Drink Method (c). I had a killer warm up of about 1:00 hour. Slammed down a GU and hit the line.

Oddly many guys in my field missed their start time. The guy that left just before me was 2 mins. past his start time...damn. There was a about 4 guys in secession that missed their start times as well.

My start time was 10:53:30. I powered out of the start house. I kept it in my 53 15. To my shock I powered out of the house! (Tuesday sprints might be paying off). I was able to power out for a good 400 meters with out feeling like my legs were going blow up. Unlike before I was able to keep my 30 second man in my sight.

I settle in and to my shock start flying! I easily found my pedal stroke, was able to lock in my cadence and fell right into HR zone. With in 1.5 miles I caught my 30 second man! (Lord praise the person who set up the start list) Now I'm starting to feel good. I kept everything as is. I fly down the first long straight dropped my 30 second man. No body behind me...can this be....I'm usually caught by now... I keep spinning the pedals take the first right turn and pass another dude. I motor down and now I'm having fun. I feel great and even though I'm at my LT I couldn't tell. I was easily spinning the pedals.

I fly down the second long straight take another right then power out of the saddle and pass another dude. Swing left and I keep flying. After about 1000 meters I glance back and still nobody behind me....

At about the the 12 mile mark I pass my forth guy and can see somebody about 2:30 ahead of me. Take another right and my first attack into the wind. Go to a lower gear and spin away. Work my way over to the second to last straight away and I am finally caught...some guy that was just flying. He finished forth.

However, he couldn't drop me. From this point until the finish line we go back and forth. We pound through the only slightly roller section against the wind. Talking and both working to catch the rider now about 1:00 ahead of us. Two quick turns and into the last straight against the 15 mph head wind. Okay I'm tired now...the lack of speed work has caught up to me. Having planned to save a little extra for this section I power down. The other guy and I both ram it home. He pulls away with about 200 meters to go. I power out of the saddle and finish with a time of 52:23. I minute faster than last year. 15 seconds shy of passing another guy.

Impressive as this was for me...it wasn't enough. The winner clocked a 46 something time. I was 1:30 from a top 10. On certain tail wind sections I didn't punch like I could have. Mixed emotions. The competitive side of me is like dude I might have done like 1:30 faster and top 10. Maybe even 2 minutes faster.

Yet,when I think about it. I think I really did the smarter thing. I had no clue to how I'd react and how my form was. Had I'd been further along in training and done some LT work I think I'd been more confident to just amp it up and used a bigger gear when the wind was at my back. So taking the smarter approach and still taking a minute of my time from last year with all the interruptions, lack of racing, the wind, and little to no LT work , I am pretty happy to how I did. I think I'm happier than when I top 10 at districts in CX...

I also nailed my start. Nothing cooler than catching people!

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