Iowa City road race: DNF.
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad day all around. I didn't have the fitness or the mental strength. I failed.
The next two weeks will contain many pain filled sessions to make up for lost training time this last month and especially for the poor performance at Iowa. I am pretty angry with myself. I rationalized what I did prior to the race and I never want to let myself get into a situation like that again. I took my last few results for granted. I ignored the signals at GD#2.
I know what I needed to work on, yet I didn't. I earned that DNF.
Next race: Monsters of the Midway May 17
I'll be training hard for this one. I have not finished out of the top 10 in a crit. This one, I'm going for the win. I will be training to win it.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Great Dane #2
On paper, my third race was a relative success: 6/39
I wanted to leave everything on the course for this event. I didn’t. I think I worked harder than I needed to at the wrong times and, as a result, yielded places to five “lucky” racers.
I didn’t want to move to the front. I stayed in the middle to rear because the field would bunch up at two choke points on the course. At those times I didn’t see the point in making the effort. Mistake.
The course was a short 1 mile loop with four corners and a few winding turns, and two short hills. The start/finish was on the first hill, the second was ½ way through course on the backside. After the downhill start the first corner turned us into a (light) headwind and the entire field slowed and front to midpack was 20 riders and perhaps 20 feet. The second choke point was after the second corner and a short hill. Because I didn’t move up I was caught in the headwind as a result of being on the outside way too often. So, I was doing just as much work as the leaders but without the benefit of field position. Mistake. Well, I still earned 6th.
Notes: I warmed up more thoroughly than at the Burnham Super Crit two weeks ago. That was helpful and the difference from the was noticeable.
My limiters are my power at threshold and my recovery. I can motor away and do well to hang on, but I cannot really lead—mentally speaking. I didn’t want to go to the front. I can compensate for my fitness with better race tactics: I need to learn how to be up front (by going and being there) rather than in the middle or back. Until I raise my threshold and increase my ability to recover under stress I may be a top 10 guy, but I won’t win any races.
I also need to figure out this diabetes stuff. I began the race with a BG of “160something” this was after a steady rise from 120 1.5 hours out, 140 1 hour out, 160something 20 min out and I finished the race at 310. I wonder if this is the result of nerves or of cortisone released from the physicality of the race. If it it’s the latter, then I should be able to train it and lower the curve. If my nerves get me in the beginning, I will need to figure out ways to dose prior to the race so that elevated blood glucose does not impede my performance. (I don’t think it did today…)
My average HR was 167 (threshold is 168-9), average speed was 24.5mph.
Side note: I saw an amazing thing in the third or fourth lap. A 2o0lb rider lost control of his bike for a few seconds and went way outside the field right into a 70lb junior. He bumped this kid hard…HARD!...and the kid stayed upright. It was amazing. It happened right after the second turn, going up hill, the kid was still leaning to his right and this guy lost it and slammed into him. The kid went from a 30* right leaning position to a 20* left leaning position and still stayed upright. Badass. (There were these gaps in the asphalt filled with this rubbery goo, typical stuff seen everywhere, but when you ride parallel with the gap and cross over it you can loose control and can create a really bad day). Also, a guy touched my rear wheel today. No crash.
I didn't charge my camera battery...pics next time.
Next week is the Iowa City Road Race, cat 5s go for 26 miles. The Bike is in the shop; I hope Alex can get it back to me soon so I can get some training in before Saturday.
I wanted to leave everything on the course for this event. I didn’t. I think I worked harder than I needed to at the wrong times and, as a result, yielded places to five “lucky” racers.
I didn’t want to move to the front. I stayed in the middle to rear because the field would bunch up at two choke points on the course. At those times I didn’t see the point in making the effort. Mistake.
The course was a short 1 mile loop with four corners and a few winding turns, and two short hills. The start/finish was on the first hill, the second was ½ way through course on the backside. After the downhill start the first corner turned us into a (light) headwind and the entire field slowed and front to midpack was 20 riders and perhaps 20 feet. The second choke point was after the second corner and a short hill. Because I didn’t move up I was caught in the headwind as a result of being on the outside way too often. So, I was doing just as much work as the leaders but without the benefit of field position. Mistake. Well, I still earned 6th.
Notes: I warmed up more thoroughly than at the Burnham Super Crit two weeks ago. That was helpful and the difference from the was noticeable.
My limiters are my power at threshold and my recovery. I can motor away and do well to hang on, but I cannot really lead—mentally speaking. I didn’t want to go to the front. I can compensate for my fitness with better race tactics: I need to learn how to be up front (by going and being there) rather than in the middle or back. Until I raise my threshold and increase my ability to recover under stress I may be a top 10 guy, but I won’t win any races.
I also need to figure out this diabetes stuff. I began the race with a BG of “160something” this was after a steady rise from 120 1.5 hours out, 140 1 hour out, 160something 20 min out and I finished the race at 310. I wonder if this is the result of nerves or of cortisone released from the physicality of the race. If it it’s the latter, then I should be able to train it and lower the curve. If my nerves get me in the beginning, I will need to figure out ways to dose prior to the race so that elevated blood glucose does not impede my performance. (I don’t think it did today…)
My average HR was 167 (threshold is 168-9), average speed was 24.5mph.
Side note: I saw an amazing thing in the third or fourth lap. A 2o0lb rider lost control of his bike for a few seconds and went way outside the field right into a 70lb junior. He bumped this kid hard…HARD!...and the kid stayed upright. It was amazing. It happened right after the second turn, going up hill, the kid was still leaning to his right and this guy lost it and slammed into him. The kid went from a 30* right leaning position to a 20* left leaning position and still stayed upright. Badass. (There were these gaps in the asphalt filled with this rubbery goo, typical stuff seen everywhere, but when you ride parallel with the gap and cross over it you can loose control and can create a really bad day). Also, a guy touched my rear wheel today. No crash.
I didn't charge my camera battery...pics next time.
Next week is the Iowa City Road Race, cat 5s go for 26 miles. The Bike is in the shop; I hope Alex can get it back to me soon so I can get some training in before Saturday.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Team Spidermonkey
I joined Team Spidermonkey this week.
These guys seem pretty cool. I rode with Dean and Nate three weeks ago and they didn't leave a bad impression. Also, Nate won the 4/5s race at the Super Crit a two weeks ago (congrats!), so the racing end seems to be pretty serious. I also like that they seem balanced, they have casual riders and organize fun rides and such--basically, they like riding and racing. I think I'll be happy with them. I ordered my kit and paid my dues...I'm on.
I'm racing Grate Dane #2 tomorrow and hopefully I won't get crushed. It will be a fast race (20 min +2) and so I've got to get some palls and kill it from the second or third lap.
These guys seem pretty cool. I rode with Dean and Nate three weeks ago and they didn't leave a bad impression. Also, Nate won the 4/5s race at the Super Crit a two weeks ago (congrats!), so the racing end seems to be pretty serious. I also like that they seem balanced, they have casual riders and organize fun rides and such--basically, they like riding and racing. I think I'll be happy with them. I ordered my kit and paid my dues...I'm on.
I'm racing Grate Dane #2 tomorrow and hopefully I won't get crushed. It will be a fast race (20 min +2) and so I've got to get some palls and kill it from the second or third lap.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
First blog post...
So, welcome to my blog.
I started this thing because I want a way to profile my training and results so I don't need to bore my wife, friends and coworkers with all kinds of cycling nonsense. I figure you came here on purpose, so I can rant and ramble and "you," lovely reader, can take it--or not.
So, I began my base training in January 2008. Each week I put in about 3-4 hours on the bike. Most of my workouts included sub-threshold intervals along with SST durations of aprox. 1 hr. In February I increased my training volume to 6-8 hours per week. One day of SST, one day sub-threshold and L2-3 spinning for the remainder. I began a weak "build" phase in March including sets of 5 min VO2 intervals, and more strength training (higher gear work for SST).
My first two races were in the first weekend of April, the Mississinewa Reservoir Road Race on the 5th and Burnham Racing's Super Crit. on the 6th.
My goals were modest: 1) don't crash, and 2) stick with the peloton. I didn't crash and I did pretty well. I placed 9 of 15 in the road race (28 miles) and that was due to a tactical mistake (I went waaaaaaaaaaay too early for the finish.). At the Super Crit I placed 10/47 (35 min.) and was pretty pleased with my result. I was a bit fearful of the peloton though, with so many turns many riders were holding different (read: crossing) lines. I stayed near the back till the bell lap then moved my way up the outside.
I have my third race this weekend, Great Dane #2 (Cat 5, 20 min +2), and though I have not put in the right training over the last two weeks, I am confident I will learn a great deal. My goals are similar as above, but rather than attempting to stick with the peloton, I am going to attack them and burn all my matches within those 25 or so min.
Unless I really try to dig deep and leave everything on the course, I won' t ever know how.
Wish me luck...
I started this thing because I want a way to profile my training and results so I don't need to bore my wife, friends and coworkers with all kinds of cycling nonsense. I figure you came here on purpose, so I can rant and ramble and "you," lovely reader, can take it--or not.
So, I began my base training in January 2008. Each week I put in about 3-4 hours on the bike. Most of my workouts included sub-threshold intervals along with SST durations of aprox. 1 hr. In February I increased my training volume to 6-8 hours per week. One day of SST, one day sub-threshold and L2-3 spinning for the remainder. I began a weak "build" phase in March including sets of 5 min VO2 intervals, and more strength training (higher gear work for SST).
My first two races were in the first weekend of April, the Mississinewa Reservoir Road Race on the 5th and Burnham Racing's Super Crit. on the 6th.
My goals were modest: 1) don't crash, and 2) stick with the peloton. I didn't crash and I did pretty well. I placed 9 of 15 in the road race (28 miles) and that was due to a tactical mistake (I went waaaaaaaaaaay too early for the finish.). At the Super Crit I placed 10/47 (35 min.) and was pretty pleased with my result. I was a bit fearful of the peloton though, with so many turns many riders were holding different (read: crossing) lines. I stayed near the back till the bell lap then moved my way up the outside.
I have my third race this weekend, Great Dane #2 (Cat 5, 20 min +2), and though I have not put in the right training over the last two weeks, I am confident I will learn a great deal. My goals are similar as above, but rather than attempting to stick with the peloton, I am going to attack them and burn all my matches within those 25 or so min.
Unless I really try to dig deep and leave everything on the course, I won' t ever know how.
Wish me luck...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
