So the tradition begins, throttle yourself for 10 miles on your bike in the name of speed work. There are a couple of monthly Wednesday night fiestas of pain around this area, but I’ve been going to the one with the shorter drive for me. The one put on by Sean Dinges up near Falls Lake. As with most roads around here, it’s not really flat, but it is 10 miles measured out all officially and stuff.
Tonight is the first of the season and I see some upgrades in the production from last year. There’s a white board with the start list all neatly printed in marker with the official clock attached to the top. Also, blue tape is strung across the road at the finish line also marked with a Marina Finish sign. Very cool stuff.
This year, I have the way neato new race wheels (Hed 3 front & disc cover for the rear) and am ready to test myself against last year’s times. Last year, I started in May with a 25:10. June brought a time just under 25 min (woo-hoo!) and July, at my peak, 24:24. August, we won’t talk about.
Since I took yesterday off for various reasons including resting up for Sunday’s Powerman NC, I feel pretty good. I don’t get there in time for a full warm up, but I think it will be enough to get by with.
Weather was nice with a little cross-tail breeze on the way out and cross-head pushing us back as we struggle in the final miles. Since I have no magnet on my race wheel, I have no indication of speed, so I go 100% by feel. This worked well. I paced myself just right, breathing loud and rhythmically almost the whole way, becoming almost gasps the final mile. My quads didn’t burn noticably until at least mile 7, and I finished strong, gasping, ready to stop. My time? 24:46. Great start for an early TT.
My husband was there honing his pan photography skills. You can see some of the photographic results in the photo gallery
Neat pictures. My boyfriend was under the illusion that I should do the Powerman NC and I said, “Umm, yeah, how about no?” I have a bike for three days and he’s already trying to toss me into the fray!
Awww…how sweet of your boyfriend to encourage you that way. Ha Ha. Anyway, you’d be surprised how often my husband goes hunting for races and says, “Oooh! I found one for you. Check this out!” “Honey, I’m booked up for this season.” “For the future.”
When you think about it though, I’d rather have that kind of optimistic backing than some schmo telling me I can’t do a race.
Hope you enjoy your new bike.