Well, I normally don't blog about the biweekly time trials I've done in the fast, but I think yesterday deserves a mention. The time trial is a 10 mile course, out and back, on Putah Creek Road on the west edge of Davis, CA. It is run by my awesome bike shop, Davis Wheelworks. The course is dead flat with some corners between mile 1 and 9. It snakes through farmland and orchards, and when there are no trees, the course is crazy exposed and windy. Usually the time trial is a super popular event with 60-70+ people coming out every other Wednesday to test themselves.
I had noticed on the results some people had their names listed twice, and two weeks ago I saw that Joe had asked if anyone if he or she wanted to try it twice. I wasn't mentally prepared last time, but this time, depending how the race on Sunday went, I decided I would try it. This meant two 10 mile sustained, close to all-out efforts. The wind was forecasted to be bad, which is always my downfall. Luckily when I arrived yesterday late afternoon the wind wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Joe signed me up 3rd so that I would finish earlier and then could start again. My start this time went better than in past weeks. Negative thoughts didn't cross my mind once I hit the wind. Riders go off and 30 second intervals, and within the first two miles on course, both the man and woman who had started behind me passed me. Crap. Oh well, just keep pushing. The last time I was out I had discovered that the best thing to do was use the biggest gear I could mash and use all effort possible. So I focused on that, and keeping my head low so I could just look through the top portion of my sunglasses. The wind lessened as I got closer to the 5 mile turnaround and I was able to switch to a bigger gear. On the way back two more guys passed me, but I felt good until the very last mile when I started wondering if I was crazy for doing this again. I think I topped out close to 30 mph this time at the very end.
Once I cross the timing sensor thing, I go to the end of the road and turn around. Somehow I have set a PR! 27:11, only 2 seconds off my fastest time of last year and I used a disk at that one. Joe tells me I am supposed to negative split... right. Spin around a little bit, and return to the start. It looks like it's only me and the pro triathlete there who are attempting this twice tonight. He goes off, and a minute later I follow.
Pretty much a repeat of the first time, except the wind seems stronger this go round. Oh well, keep turning the pedals. I brake a bit more on this run, kind of worried that in a semi-hypoxic state I didn't want to suddenly lose traction or skid out. On the way back, I top out above 30 mph. Wow! My time for this run is 27:22, only 11 seconds off my first round, which the guys tell me is very good.
So, successful attempt to TT twice in one evening!
1 comment:
Way to go! Sounds like you are doing well!
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