Ravin' on... Racin' Goals

Well... I did start a thread ages ago, but I can't seem to locate it!
So I'll start another.
Its probably timely as my goals for the year actually refined themselves and became very specific about half way through the year...

I have 7 goals based around hill times and specific courses that are training related and not race related per se, so will leave those out...

When I write "competitive" in my goals, it means getting placed in the top 5.

But here are my racing goals (some achieved) for 2006:
This is my club: http://www.ramblers.co.nz

Tremain's Cooporate Triathalon, cycling section 17km, inside 35min (achieved, March 2006, 32.52min)

Competitive in G Grade by Winter series (achieved, won the series yellow jersey)

Move to F for the Spring series (achieved, though I haven't yet raced in it)

Competitive in F in Summer series

18km Dartmoor Road ITT - goal 33 mins (PB thus far, July 2006, 34:38)

18km Dump Block ITT - goal 32 mins (PB thus far, Oct 2005, 37.01)

Club Champs ITT - 20km on Bridge Pa SH2, 30 Sept, goal 33 mins

Well... The Club Championship Individual Time Trial is next Saturday.

I have been working specifically on cadence, on pushing my lactate threshold, and on strength (power output).

I did an aerobic time trial on the 19th Sept - a 23km course which I first rode in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 35 seconds (averaging 23.7kph).

My PB before the 19th was in July - 42 minutes and 15 seconds (average 32.66kph).

On the 19th I rode it as an aerobic TT - which is where you ride at about 5-8 heart beats below your lactate threshold... and I did a PB - 40 minutes 18 seconds (34.24 average).

On Saturday I'll be sitting on or just above my LT for the race, so I am hopeful I can pull it together like I did on the 19th because then I should do a good time.

I have not ridden the course before, though I have driven along it a few times. It is flat, and I really hope the wind is favourable.

Good Luck for Saturday. Dont forget to post a race report.:)

GO, GO, GO RoadRaven.:D

Well, I have felt wired before... but usually can manage it.

I can't wait today for the race to begin though, I woke at 5... had no intention to lurk at TE today, but have to try and focus these feelings in a useful way.

I have built up/prepared for two ITTs this year, and both I felt quite intensely about... is this race feeling "bigger" somehow to me because it is the Club Championship? Am I a fool for 'having a go' when I have only been racing since March and only been back on a bike for two years? Then I hear the self talk and chastise myself - this kind've nonsense is what kills performance in racing... so I change the internal dialogue... I have to believe - I do believe... I will ride well... I will monster the big gears as I spin like a maniac... my HR will be under control with steady breathing... I will glide through the head wind if it rises... I will fly at 45km + if I have a tail wind... I will be steady and focused and will not be phased when faster riders pass me... I am strong and undistractable... this is a taste of what I am running through my head...

K... I am off now to check my baby again, smooth her tyres, check the pressure, my helmet, the shifters... my tyres again, the chain...



http://www.ramblers.co.nz/club_resul...ail.asp?id=299
PREVIEW: Bridge Pa ITT Club Champs
30/09/2006

Ivar Hopman is overseas so I will be running the TT champs on Saturday.

These are the distances:
10km: U15 Girls, U15 boys, U17 girls
15km: U19 Women, U17 Boys
20km: Vet Women, Vet B & C Men (Vet B = born 1952 - 1961, Vet C = born 1951 or before)
25km: Open women, Vet A Men, U19 men (Vet A = born 1962 - 1971)
40 km (U23 and senior men)

As we now have 295 registered members and we produce start sheets listing all members, please let me know by return email IF YOU ARE NOT going to be racing on Saturday.
This way we won't waste too many trees printing out the start sheets.

Racing starts around 2 pm in the above order.
Registration closes 1.50 p.m. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 1:50

See you there Saturday - register early please.

Howard Bott

The Ramblers Cycling Club 'Spring Series' continues this Saturday with the Club Championship Individual Time Trials being held from Bridge Pa School. All racing will be CNZ age group based with distances ranging from 10km (U15 riders) to 40km for Senior and U23 riders.

Individual Time Trialing is known as the 'Race of Truth'. No drafting is allowed and is a race of the rider against the clock with the fastest time in each age group winning. This course will be a good test for all riders and is a build up towards the upcoming National Championships and Tour of the Bay.

Registration is from 1.10pm with the first rider starting at 2pm. Although visitors and new members are most welcome and may race, they will not be eligible for club titles.
All members competing or officiating will earn two Spring Series points.

The TT… well, I was not happy, although that may seem strange to some of you because I did come 3rd in my age category – Vet 1 (however, there were only four riders).

The Vet 1 who came in first, Marg, is at the top of her game at the moment and will be hoping for a place in the National competition in a few weeks, so I expected her to post a much better time then me (though 6 ½ minutes is a true spanking!).

However, to come second to Caro by only 3 seconds is incredibly frustrating… I can think of several places where I could have found that 3 seconds…

My occasional training partner and work colleague came 6th in her cat, but she beat me by 12 seconds… grrrr, pleased for her but very, very peed off with myself.

Vet 1
1st – 31:30
2nd – 38:53
3rd – 38:56 <<<< Raven
4th – 43:45

Vet 2
1st – 33:26
2nd – 33:36
3rd – 35:43
4th – 37:11
5th – 38:41
6th – 38:44
7th – 39:23
8th – 40:42
9th – 47:40



So… what went right?

My training… I was very specific and thought about each ride and making it count.
My warm-up… I rode for 27 km after we got to the event… HR about 135 or lower, just gentle, got in 30-40 minutes I guess. I felt ready.
My start… I was held, headed off in the right gear, was able to stand and get a good speed up quickly.
My rhythm… mostly I had this right, although the cross winds made it difficult at times to find the right gear to be in.
My position… ideal for me… my knees were in the whole time, I didn’t look behind me once (except for the turn around, but I don’t count that as you are slowing anyway), kept my head down, my elbows in...
My intensity… I was able to keep myself at or above my LT… it hurt the whole ride… I have never been able to maintain that level before.
The head-stuff… most of the time. I was very focused and only lost it three times – and these will have lost me precious seconds too.
My time… I wanted to be under 39 minutes max… I just made it.



So… what went wrong?

My taper… looking at it, I got carried away and did too much riding the week before. And I knew it as I was doing it. But I had my attitude wrong. I kept thinking that if I didn’t ride I would lose it… whereas I KNOW this is NOT true for me. My best rides have happened after I have been virtually off the bike for a week to a week and a half.

The head stuff… Marg started 30 seconds after me and passed me like a bullet when I had only gone 1.5km out. I expected her to catch me, but was unprepared for how quickly. I dropped speed for a few moments.
Again, when Caro caught me at 4km, it threw me, I was not expecting her til a bit further on. I began at this point to wonder WTF I was doing this for… and it took me a few more precious moments to regain my speed.

Inability to push past the hurt-zone… this is part of the head-stuff… I pushed myself hard enough so I knew it hurt… I have to learn to push it further, past the point of pain until there is nothing else and I am the bike and the road.

The turn-around... beyond my control – a very nice oncoming driver decided to slow in case I was going to turn, but didn’t actually stop, so there I am signalling frantically with my head, the marshals are not signalling one way or the other and I must have lost 6-8 seconds there.

The finish… my partner caught me about 300 metres from the finish line… I had not seen him going out as I came back – if I had, I would have expected to see him before I finished. However, with over 60 riders doing the 20km distance, I thought maybe he must be last. So when he rocketed past me I was surprised and slowed – that was probably most of the 3 seconds I lost to Caro.



I felt so angry with myself as I crossed the finish line (I had set under 39 mins as a goal, but was aiming for 37) I just kept right on riding – truth be told I could not have gotten off my bike gracefully when I finished – so I kept on riding, I rode another 10km to cool down (physically and mentally) at the stunning speed of 15 -20 kph… Partner was concerned cause ho couldn’t find me but I couldn’t face speaking to anyone right away.

Today I am trying to be pragmatic… I know things I have to work on – my power output and stamina, my thought processes, getting the taper right, my focus while riding. It is also the longest TT race I have done at such a good speed. Most of the club TTs I have raced in are 18km, and my average has been less. I did a 25km one about 6 weeks ago, and my average speed was less than yesterday. So really – this is my best TT so far. So this must be good, right? That’s what I am telling myself.

Did I enjoy the race? Well, despite my disappointment, frustration and anger – yup, I did. I loved it. I enjoyed it more than any other TT I have done, because I know I gave it more than I ever have before.

Ohhh Mate dont be so hard on yourself. YOU DID GOOD.

Congratulations on a great TT.

You listed all the things you need to work on so next time will be a scorcher.
:)

Thanks Trek... I am feeling a bit more reasonable today (though still peeved :cool: ).

I have improved, my TT times have progressively got better, I just need to persevere...

On a brighter note, my goal of reaching 3500 kms on the road this year is almost achieved - only got about 500kms left to reach it, and three months to do it... should be very achievable. (This doesn't include the approx 35 hours I have spent on a bike indoors).

Two years back on a bike this month... according to some people I can start considering myself a cyclist after this "milestone" is reached... funny, I thought I already was... :p

RoadRaven, you should be so proud of yourself! You have the guts to do it in the first place! You were not third out of 4, you were third out of millions who would not and could not even consider doing a TT! And you will improve. You learn something everytime you race. So congrats again and I'm glad to hear you're not so peeved at yourself now. :)

Thanks so much Kelowna... I like the way you write that... I'm still in the "dissecting and critiquing mode" most of the time at the mo... your post gives me some perspective... :)

RR - I think a certain amount of critiquing and inquiry is a good thing. Granted there is a point where you can outthink yourself, which isn't so good~ :eek:

********************************************************
18km Dartmoor Road ITT - goal 33 mins (PB thus far, July 2006, 34:38)
18km Dump Block ITT - goal 32 mins (PB thus far, Oct 2005, 37.01)
Club Champs ITT - 20km on Bridge Pa SH2, 30 Sept, goal 33 mins
*********************************************************

I take it the club champs ITT is the flater course of the three? Based on it being 2 km longer and you wanting a time of 33 min vs. 33 & 32 for the other two ITT's?

You really have done well, and that is a matter of perspective too I feel....am I 3rd out of 4, or am I just two places from winning??

I don't know that I will ever do TT's in racing - it is a very technical and highly scientific endeavor. Obviously you have pacing, but then you have to weight the entire power vs. aerodynamics question, and all the possible positions you can take. Plus it is a very direct endeavor - you and the clock, no peloton, breakaways, etc.

I admire those that do it and well at that!

Hi Cassandra, thanks for your thoughts too...

Yes, the Club Champs course from Bridge Pa is almost completely flat - just one little rise really... when I set that time I was being completely overly optimistic, and the week before the race I reset my goal of 33 to being 37 but no more than 39.

My 17yr old son suggested I should be aiming for 40, so I did better than that - YESSS!

So, I did well... I want to be doing great times instantly but reality is reality and I cannot yet afford to resign my job in order to cycle more, and i have only been on a bike for two years now.

And yes, perspective is important, the winner in my grade is a National elite cyclist, so I think to myself, I came second at club level... and if i really want to make myself feel good, I remember that I have beaten Caro in other TTs by up to a minute - so its possible to win this next time...

The out-thinking myself, and the critique is probably a "given" in this house.

My partners time for 20km was 29:20 (average 40.91)
My 17yr son's time for 25km was 36:09 (average 41.49kph)
My 15 yr son's time for 15km was 23:53 (average 37.68kph)

So some competitive discussion and critique and high goals is inevitable...
Really appreciate input - along with Trek and Kelowna it has helped to give some perspective. I don't have any women who adore TTs and compete with me as friends - you gals are it, and I appreciate the female feedback. It is easy to get stuck in the male world of higher times, intensity and testosterone (we are 7 - 5 males/2 females- in this house, 4 cycle competitively, 1 is beginning to, 1 wants to and my daughter, the only other female in this house - yup, I have 4 sons - has no interest in cycling since she broke her wrist a couple of summers ago...)

So where is middle earth? (dumb question, I know...)

LOL...

Did you read Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and then the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy?

Set in and around Middle Earth...

Of course, when our very own home grown hobbit, Peter Jackson, decided to realise his dream and make the Lord of the Rings into a film trilogy, where else would he do it but here in Aotearoa New Zealand...???

Hence my location - Middle Earth.

I live 2 hours from the dreaded "Mt Doom" (Taupo) and about 4 hours from the beautiful home of the elves, Rivendell (Kaitoke in Wellington)...

RR- you should be very proud of your accomplishments on the bike!!! Seems like you are a pretty amazing racer!!!

I'm glad to know where you live, now! I've always wondered, and got the Lord of the Rings reference, but I thought you were just a LotR nut- not that you really lived in Middle Earth! That's surely one of the prettiest places on Earth- you must just love your surroundings!

That was my guess for those reasons (love Tolkien) but I always wondered if I was right... Ever since seeing the movies, I have been wanting to go to NZ even more than before... Beautiful scenery, actually fairly similar to BC in many ways....

barb

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RoadRaven

LOL...

Did you read Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and then the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy?

Set in and around Middle Earth...

Of course, when our very own home grown hobbit, Peter Jackson, decided to realise his dream and make the Lord of the Rings into a film trilogy, where else would he do it but here in Aotearoa New Zealand...???

Hence my location - Middle Earth.

I live 2 hours from the dreaded "Mt Doom" (Taupo) and about 4 hours from the beautiful home of the elves, Rivendell (Kaitoke in Wellington)...

---

RR - oh my, Mount Doom she says!!! I'll stick to the Shire thanks so much :D

So seriously, I look at your results as being basically the same as Caro - I mean 3 seconds is a sip of your bidon. It could easily have gone either way, and as you mentioned the car slowing was a factor.

I think getting passed early in a TT like that though has to knock you off your rhythm and mental focus. You said you expected it but it happened earlier than you figured. IMO, it takes immense mental concentration to stay totally committed to your own pace in such a case.

In your household, well with that much Testosterone (you did say 5 males/boys right?!), I'd think competition is basically unavoidable, but perspective helps. If I read correctly, your PB from July was over 40 minutes, and here you took over a minute out of that. Plus you m entioned a goal of 37 but no more than 39....you are really in the ballpark...to knock that 1 min 56 seconds, I would think is just a few watts, you can do it.:)

Can you share some of your training techniques and such? I'd enjoy hearing about it from someone who is an accomplished TT'er.

Hi RR! It's been awhile.

Congrats on your Club Championship TT. I think that is an awesome result, and that you should be proud of your accomplishment.

A couple of observations:

1. Use your emotion to your advanatage. When someone passes you in the TT, use that as incentive to go that much harder instead of becoming deflated. This is easier said than done, and especially when it is your partner/DH passing you.

2. The 3 seconds that you lost to Cara are EASILY accounted for in having to slow for the car in the turnaround - sadly there is nothing you could have done differently there.

3. You spent a lot of time thinking about this race prior to it happening. You need to focus on positive thinking and less analysis prior to the race. If you think this will be your best TT effort, you will be amazed at how that translates into your results.

4. Don't over-think what went right/wrong. Your report sums up the most important part of this race - you had FUN! When racing of any sort stops being fun, I will stop racing.

The training and power of a TT are important aspects, but the mental game is equally important. When DH and I went out to re-take our tandem record at the end of the season, we had all the power and training down. Our mental game was off though due to a flat in our warmup, having to hitch a ride back to the start, repair the flat, and then take off. We missed our goal, but I KNOW that we will get it back early next year.

When I am on my TT bike, all else is irrelevant. Me, my position, my power, my bike and the road are all that matters. If someone passes me, I try to increase my output, but still remember that I can only do what I can. When I download my effort (HR) onto my PC, I know that I put in everything I had, and didn't leave anything on the table.

You did this too - I can tell from your report. Don't be so hard on yourself! Revel in your accomplishments, and set your goals accordingly for next season.

Congrats - you deserve it.

SheFly

Cassandra, you wrote “Can you share some of your training techniques and such? I'd enjoy hearing about it from someone who is an accomplished TT'er.”

Well…. Thank you for the compliment Cassandra, I don’t really think of myself as an accomplished TTer – yet… I’m more of a rabid wannabe!!!

I have thought about your question, and have started a thread in the Tips and Tricks forum for TT ideas and suggestions… That way the TE TTers can pool ideas and experiences specifically about what we do or have tried that works or doesn’t work…

See here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12489


SheFly! Sorry I haven’t been back in this thread for a while! I have read your response quite a few times but just not posted!
Thanks for the well-considered, constructive feedback. You are right about over-thinking, but I like to time trial so much I think it is prolly inevitable!
You write: “When I am on my TT bike, all else is irrelevant. Me, my position, my power, my bike and the road are all that matters.”
Yes, this is how I am… but unlike you, I don’t try to increase my power output if I am passed. The key for me is not to get thrown out of my rhythm or blow my heart rate when passed.
It is so much about headspace, isn’t it?

Trust you have enjoyed the TTs in 2006 and are looking forward (as I am) to next year’s racing. c

Well, it’s 10pm on 31st December here… nearly 2007…

A summary of my second full year of cycling then, and goals aimed for, sometimes reached…

I wanted 3500km on the road this year (up on my 2533km in 2005, and 267km in 2004).
I have achieved just over 4000km on the road for 2006 (with another 1000km on the indoor trainer).

Tremain's Cooporate Triathalon, cycling section 17km, inside 35min (achieved, March 2006, 32.52min)

Competitive in G Grade by Winter Series (achieved, won the series yellow jersey)

Move to F for the Spring Series (achieved)

Competitive in F in Summer Series (nope, not yet… a loooong way to go!)

18km Dartmoor Road ITT - goal 33 mins (nope… July was my best effort at 34:38 minutes, averaging 30.72kph)

18km Dump Block ITT - goal 32 mins (not achieved, each time I attempted weather conditions deteriorated)

Club Champs 20km ITT – (I only averaged 30.82kph and was very disappointed as described earlier in this thread)

100km ride - Metric Century – (YES! Just… did this on Friday 29th December with my partner and eldest son… in 4 hours and 6 minutes – I was hoping for an average of 25kph, and snuck in just under that with 24.64kph, not too bad for my first metric tonne!)


So, goals and resolutions for 2007…Well, I guess in terms of cycling this is easy, because one just builds on the lessons and experiences of the previous year.

EVENTS:
JANUARY: Tour de Beautiful 50km road race: 1 hour 45 minutes
MARCH: Tremain’s Triathalon, 20km cycling section: 32 minutes (absolutely flat course)
SEPTEMBER: Club Champs ITT: 33 minutes (some false flats and small rises)
OCTOBER: Tour of the Bay 50km road race: 1 hour 40 minutes
OCTOBER: National RR Champs, 20km ITT – to enter for the experience if I think I won’t embarrass the club!!!

CLUB RACING: (Most Saturdays at 2pm…)Not always get dropped by F grade by Autumn Series
Competitive in F grade by Spring Series
Move to E grade by Summer Series
Dartmoor ITT: 32.30 minutes
Dump Block ITT: 32 minutes

“OTHER”:
160km ride (Imperial Ton)
Tiropai (a short sharp 300 metre climb between 8-10&#37;) – 2:45 minutes
Dartmoor Hill (a steady climb just over 1km at about 5%) – 4:30 minutes


We’ll see how I go, I guess… Have a super and safe lead into the New Year and I trust that 2007 brings you all happiness and success in cycling, and all other parts of your lives.

Hey RR --

I'd say you had a successful year! Congrats on achieving at least some of your goals. Awesome. :)

Happy '07!!!

~BikeMomma

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"]
…
SheFly! Sorry I haven’t been back in this thread for a while! I have read your response quite a few times but just not posted!
Thanks for the well-considered, constructive feedback. You are right about over-thinking, but I like to time trial so much I think it is prolly inevitable!
You write: “When I am on my TT bike, all else is irrelevant. Me, my position, my power, my bike and the road are all that matters.”
Yes, this is how I am… but unlike you, I don’t try to increase my power output if I am passed. The key for me is not to get thrown out of my rhythm or blow my heart rate when passed.
It is so much about headspace, isn’t it?

Trust you have enjoyed the TTs in 2006 and are looking forward (as I am) to next year’s racing. c

---

I think that the TT effort is equal parts power and "headspace". Sounds like you have some great goals for the coming year, too!

DH and I have our sights set on the club course record on our tandem this year - sub 20 min for 9.75 miles :eek: ! I'll keep you posted. Personally, I'd like to set another PR on the course as well. My best time last year was 24:32, and I'd LIKE to get that down below 24:00. I think it may be a stretch goal, but we'll see!

My other goal for the season is to upgrade my 'cross category and to be competitive (aka, not last) in the Elite Women's category.

Good luck on your goals, and Happy New Year to you as well!

SheFly

Thanks Shefly... I like your maths... power + headspace = attaining goals



OK... this forum... Well... this is supposed to be race reports, right?

Here's my first experience of a team time trial...

The idea in a team TT is that you start with the whole team, but only some of the team have to make it to the finish line. The team starts together - the idea is you get an effective paceline going and time trial the whole course but together.

Ramblers ran its second "5-up TT" a few weeks back and it was the first time I participated in one (the first 5-upTT cooincided with my 'worst' period day... cramps no good when you have others relying on your absolute effort). In a 5 person team, you can lose one person along the way - your final time is the time of the fourth person over the line. You might lose a person because they can't keep up, or they blow their legs or they have a mechanical failure - like a flat tyre.

This effectively means you MUST work as a team in order to get the best time. If you have a disparity in ability within your team, then it should become the responsibility of the strongest 1-2 people to stay with the others and do the bulk of the work on the front, in this way the best time for the team will be achieved.

Unfortunately not everyone in my team understood this... hence my delay in posting a race report... I was very disappointed in the event, although very pleased for the experience.

The course we had had two good hills in it (not ideal for a TT) and I warned the team they would likely lose me on the first hill, but I would work hard all the way out to it and help them get the best time to the first hill that I could.

So, the first hill arrives but we have already lost one person as she is not as strong on the flats as us, so now I really feel the pressure - I will be the fourth person across the line and my time will be the team's time - right? Well, maybe, if we had worked as a TEAM!

Only one of the team stayed with me as I struggled up the hill, and he pullled and pulled me trying to get me back to the front two members who gradually pulled away from us and seemed to be riding their own race.

I had completely blown my legs on the first hill playing "ketchup", and had only really recovered when it was time for the second hill. Bugger!

The girl we dropped before the first hill had managed to catch us as she is much more capable on the hills and I yelled at her to stay with Peter and I would see her at the finish line. I gratefully dropped my pace a fraction and spun some lactic acid out of my legs, before lifting my pace again and riding the remainder as an ITT.

At the end, I apologised to the guy who stayed with me and told him I would be working on my hill climbing. I also acknowledged the huge ammount of work he had done and credited him with the time we managed to get. If the other two had come back/waited for us and helped him to pull the fourth rider to the finish line, our time would have been loads better. I couldn't find the girl who ended up being fourth across the line, I haven't seen her at subsequent races.

I did not talk to the other two members of the team - I was toooooo angry with them. I know it is probably just a matter of people not understanding how a TTT works, but on the day I was just mad and the best thing was to just walk away.

Well… my first “event” that is in my goal list is done and crossed off.
Tour de Beautiful…

The biggest lesson for me?
Never set a time-goal for yourself on an unknown course. This only sets you up for disappointment.

From the way people had described the course, I thought it was similar to another 50km course I have raced over. I had based a time for myself according to a flatter course with favourable winds.

So, my goals
– to complete the 50km race – achieved…
- to do it in a time of 1:45… nope. My time was 2:04:58.

It was a good little race – my sons entered also. My eldest won prize money in the 100km classic with 5th place. The son won who rode in the 50km came 4th. My two youngest rode in the 10km and got 2nd and 18th placings.

It was a hilly 50kms, no real flats anywhere, and although I could go down some of the hills at 60-65kph, coming back up was a mission at 10-12kph into a head wind.

Yup, the wind rose as the time went by. On the way out, some tail wind and lots of cross gusts. But at the turn-around the occasional tail winds transmogrified into nasty, strong head and side gusts.

The race itself? I got dropped after 6kms, so effectively rode the remaining 44kms on my own, hitching a lift with a few groups of riders for maybe a total of 1km before another hill meant I was dropped again.

So… a curious mix of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. I was pleased to race it – and when I look at my normal hill times, I rode it strongly for me. Disappointing not to get my goal time, but good learning in-as-far as knowing your course before setting goals.

Disappointing that although I could stay with the leading bunches on the flats I could not stay with them on the climbs. Disappointing that when I found people I could climb with, I would drop them on the flats. Disappointing I had no-one to help me on the 80 minutes beat back into the wind (it took me only 50mins to get to the turn-around).

Good learning again though. Most of my training/riding is based on consistent speeds, and on raising my consistent speeds. I need to increase my hill repetitions and practicing “surging” on hills as well as on flats. I need to increase the amount of interval training I do.

My main overall cycling goal is to time trial well, however, the reality is that most of the racing I do is road racing over semi-hilly or hilly courses. I need to be able to surge with the pack, to chase down breaks and attacks and to not get dropped on hills. So, there you have my aim for my training in the next couple of months. Its gonna be tough, but I need lots of practice

Just got a chance to read about your TTT. Too bad the other 2 people didn't stay with the rest of the team. Hopefully next time it'll be better.

Good job on doing the road race. I'm still way too nervous to even think about that. Oh, and I understand completely about having a hard time staying with a group of people. There's such a variation in speed. Glad you found things to work on, next time you'll do even better. Oh, and congrats for your sons. They did awesome also!

Thanks for respondig BT
Yup, lots of lessons for me in these last two races...
(mutter mutter team time trial mutter mutter)

Most of the club racing I do was about 20km long, and since I have moved up a grade they are now 30-35km long, so the Road Race on Sunday was only my second 50km race. And although it is marketed as a "fun ride" alot (LOL, like me) are there to compete.

Just step in and have go, BT - do you have someone you can race with?
Our local club is awesome with a beginning grade (G) for all levels and abilities to have a go and see how they feel.

We have now instigated having a more experienced rider ride down a few grades with G-graders and the race is controlled to the half way point and the beginners practice pace-lining, changing gears for hills etc and race from the half-way point.

Yup
Race today
38km race - 3 laps of a relatively flat course
I thought, tough grade, I have just moved up, first time I raced with them they dropped me on the first hill, second time I wanted to stay with them through the corners and be with them on the first straight til the grade hit a hill again... both times, no luck.

This time, with loads of specific training behind me and trying to be smart and and cater to what this grade does I think - I'll just hang on til the first lap is done and if I last the next two, it'll be a bonus.

Nope... I suck... 5kms into the 12.5km lap I am gone.
My darling partner keeps reassuring me that I am good at it, that I am improving, and if I want to get better I just need to keep working at it.

But we got home and I cracked a Zero and went and cried quietly on the deck outside. I felt such despair. I really thought I was better than I did today - I averaged nearly 31kph for the lap I did, but I just can't stay with the pack.

I really want to come to this thread and write about a thrilling race I am pleased with, not sulk to the world. but its so hard when I hear hubby and older son disecting their race of 43km average and my 16 year describing his which had a 40km average - and they all did FOUR laps!

*tucks head down near her wings and wanders away to another thread...*

One thing's for sure....you do NOT suck!

I think you're more than awesome for just being out there doing it, ya know? I say be proud of what you CAN do, not down and dejected for what you can't. Your dh and son no doubt are proud of you for being who you are and going out there and trying your durnest. Be proud of that, too.

My attitude is, ultimately, racing is for fun, and it should always be so. If you're not doing well, forget the competition with others and all the comparisons that come with it. Turn it around into something positive -- compete against yourself. When I fall off the back in a crit and know I won't be able to bridge back up, I say "change of game plan" and just change the game to not getting lapped, or something stupid like that. Or I think about that lady on the far corner cheering away every time I go by, and I speed up to make her cheers worth it.

Definitely Raven, you're awesome. Call it another day completed and another experience to keep in the memory banks.

Chin up, girl. You'll have lots of other chances to show 'em your stuff. :D
Hugs,
~BikeMomma

Thanks BM
My partner read my post last night. Hadn't realised how gutted I was.
And he has always said the same thing to me you have just written - racing should be fun.
Yestersday morning, I actually thought about coming and editing the self-pity out of my post, because it isn't really helpful.

I think I was just in some kind've shock after the Saturday race at how I felt. I have been disappointed at my results before, but never felt despair. And over a bike race? Crazy! But we had so many in the house I really couldn't talk it through comfortably with anyone. I just wasn't expecting the intensity of the emotion - and over a club race... and I didn't understand myself.

Next week, my game plan is changing. I will stay with them as long as I can and do no work at all (one mistake on Saturday was I tried to shut down a break! Stupid! Not when this is only my third club race with this grade! Sometimes you make silly calls and that was one).
So next week I sit in, hang on and if I don't enjoy it, I will ride back down a grade for the rest of the summer series. My partner suggested riding down a grade for a while - and it is such a good idea, because I have had very few races since October... I need to get race practice in again.

So thankyou for your words, BM, they are perfect... and my perspective is a bit more rational now... and I'm biking to and from work today...

Major lesson reminder for me... after a hard ride, you MUST go for a spin the following day. I just wasn't interested in hoping on the bike yesterday, but this morning my legs hurt sooooo much.

So I'm off to spin gently to work, a nice hours ride as the sun rises... thats what its about. I love riding on empty roads.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

Thanks BM
My partner read my post last night. Hadn't realised how gutted I was.
And he has always said the same thing to me you have just written - racing should be fun.
Yestersday morning, I actually thought about coming and editing the self-pity out of my post, because it isn't really helpful.

I think I was just in some kind've shock after the Saturday race at how I felt. I have been disappointed at my results before, but never felt despair. And over a bike race? Crazy! But we had so many in the house I really couldn't talk it through comfortably with anyone. I just wasn't expecting the intensity of the emotion - and over a club race... and I didn't understand myself.

Next week, my game plan is changing. I will stay with them as long as I can and do no work at all (one mistake on Saturday was I tried to shut down a break! Stupid! Not when this is only my third club race with this grade! Sometimes you make silly calls and that was one).
So next week I sit in, hang on and if I don't enjoy it, I will ride back down a grade for the rest of the summer series. My partner suggested riding down a grade for a while - and it is such a good idea, because I have had very few races since October... I need to get race practice in again.

So thankyou for your words, BM, they are perfect... and my perspective is a bit more rational now... and I'm biking to and from work today...

Major lesson reminder for me... after a hard ride, you MUST go for a spin the following day. I just wasn't interested in hoping on the bike yesterday, but this morning my legs hurt sooooo much.

So I'm off to spin gently to work, a nice hours ride as the sun rises... thats what its about. I love riding on empty roads.

---

Mate pleased to hear you are feeling positive again. BM gave great advice and as you said so did your husband, listen to them they are right.

I cant imagine racing or even getting to the sort of speed you do. I think you racing girls are made of pure grit with huge hearts. Keep posting so this little plodder can race vicariously through you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

I have been disappointed at my results before, but never felt despair. And over a bike race? Crazy! But we had so many in the house I really couldn't talk it through comfortably with anyone. I just wasn't expecting the intensity of the emotion - and over a club race... and I didn't understand myself.

Next week, my game plan is changing. I will stay with them as long as I can and do no work at all (one mistake on Saturday was I tried to shut down a break! ......... So next week I sit in, hang on and if I don't enjoy it, I will ride back down a grade for the rest of the summer series.

.......

So I'm off to spin gently to work, a nice hours ride as the sun rises... thats what its about. I love riding on empty roads.

---

The intensity of the emotion and the despair you felt just show how much your heart is in this sport, and there's nothing wrong with that. ;)

Sounds like a great game plan. :cool:

Hope your gentle spin was as nice as it sounds. :)
~BikeMomma

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trekhawk

I think you racing girls are made of pure grit with huge hearts.

---

Naaaa....just stubborn. Ask my husband. :p

Okay, I tried a post but it came out totally wrong...so... waht they said already :)
... and take a look at your signature !

Here's hoping the raging emotions can be channeled to good things.

Trek, BM and Geonz

Thanks for your words...

Yes, yesterdays ride to work was lovely, the sun was still nesteled in the clouds and the temp was a mild 18'
The ride home a bit tougher, head wind all the way - about 15kph at full speed! - my partner came and collected me before the final few hills which was a welcome surprise.

Am all geared up for having another go in the road race this Saturday... having another go is what its about really.
Looking on the website and final times, my grade (F) was actually faster than E - so maybe it was just an extra fast day for the F graders and therefore my bad luck. (But there was a bright side, being finished and relatively fresh meant I was able to assist after a crash in another grade's sprint finish and hold the guy's elbow/arm clear of the road til the ambulance arrived and staunch some of the blood loss)
http://www.ramblers.co.nz/club_resul...ail.asp?id=324

And am looking forward to the ITT on Thursday next week - I'll be one of the slower times there as only the really keen TTers tend to emerge on the Thursday nights. But the very cool thing about TTs is its about personal bests and giving yourself a thrashing! So am hoping to best my PB that day - raging emotions will def be put to good use there, Geonz! :p


Feeling brighter and much more enthusiastic
~Rave~

Hey you! Just coming back to this thread, and troubled by you thinking that you SUCK. Now, repeat after me: "I DO NOT SUCK". Now go write that 100 times...

Seriously, Raven, think of all you have accomplished in the past year - none of that shows that "you suck". I agree with BM - if you are not having fun with the racing, you need to take a step back and consider what you are doing and what your motivation is. Trust me when I tell you that I KNOW what it is like to feel so discouraged after a race that you question what you are doing, but you learn from it and move on.

I also agree with BM's on-the-fly strategy changes. It is "easy" to come up with a pre-race strategy, but lots of different things can happen during the race to require a chang ein strategy or goal. I remember my very first TT - my goal was NOT to get passed by a woman who started a few places behind me (and was a Cat 2 racer). When she did pass me, I changed my goal to not let her out of my sight (which worked!).

Remember this: you are out there racing when scores of other women are not; you gave it your all; you had fun (I hope).

Good luck at the TT this week and at the race this weekend. Above all else, have FUN!

SheFly

Well... about time to get back in here and 'fess up... last Thursday was the last TT of the Summer Racing Series for our club, and I did go...

I have been waiting on everyone's times being published, but the full and "official" results are not up yet. So I do not know how I went in relation to the other 25-30 people there (although a significant number starting behind me did pass me!!)

HOWEVER... I did shave one and a half minutes off my PB (set in October 2005) for this course (the Dump Block). Its in my 2007 goals to do it in 32 minutes, and I did it in about 35 I think.
3 more minutes is probably unrealistic to shave off this new PB by the end of the year... but I'll see how much closer I can get!

As for the road race on the Saturday before that? Well, I did get dropped, but I stayed with the tail enders of my grade and wasn't the last one home - that has to be an improvement right?

I didn't race this last Saturday as I had a root canal on Friday and my head still felt a bit strange. Last road race for the summer series this Saturday - its hilly, and I think I will be riding much of it on my own... but thats ok - I'll treat it as a training ride and see if I can do a PB over it.

:D

Congrats on the TT result! A full minute and a half is an excellent improvement and achievement - I think it must have been those new shifters ;) .

Also, good job on the RR. Remember - you went, you raced, you didn't finish last, and YOU HAD FUN! Keep that in mind this coming Saturday as well.

I did a really hilly RR this past summer, and got shelled out of the main pack at about mile 5 of 30. I worked on my own for quite awhile, resorting to full on TT mode to try and bridge any gap. As it turned out, a small group behind me was working well together, and caught me. Four of us ended up finishing the race together by using a double-rotating paceline. We had a great race, and worked really well together, even though none of us were teammates! I wish you a similarly good experience on Saturday!

Congrats again - be proud of your accomplishments!

SheFly

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

HOWEVER... I did shave one and a half minutes off my PB (set in October 2005) for this course (the Dump Block). Its in my 2007 goals to do it in 32 minutes, and I did it in about 35 I think.
3 more minutes is probably unrealistic to shave off this new PB by the end of the year... but I'll see how much closer I can get!

As for the road race on the Saturday before that? Well, I did get dropped, but I stayed with the tail enders of my grade and wasn't the last one home - that has to be an improvement right?

I didn't race this last Saturday as I had a root canal on Friday and my head still felt a bit strange. Last road race for the summer series this Saturday - its hilly, and I think I will be riding much of it on my own... but thats ok - I'll treat it as a training ride and see if I can do a PB over it.

:D

---

Congratulations and good luck for Saturday.:)

Hey there Shefly and Trek - belated thanks for your words and support
:)

Well, I am still trying to find my place in the new grade... I finish and people ask me how it was and I answer with cautious enthusiasm (for example... "well, last time I was dropped completely and came in last, but today I was NOT completely dropped and was 4th to last - gotta be improving, right?")

So anyway, I raced on Saturday, although I only did two thirds of it (it was a 3 lap course) as I waited with a guy who had crashed until he was collected... his group had called the SAG wagon and then left him, but when my grade went by and I called out he was disoriented and so I stopped and pleased I did - his helmet was mushed in on one side and the marshall that arrived took him to hospital for concussion.

So the Saturday race was not so intense as it may have been - which is just as well because on Sunday it was the Tremain's Coorporate Triathalon. I had set a goal at the end of last year of 34 minutes for the 20km (which would have been a 32.5average), however, the course was changed and we had an almost gale-force westerly on the way out (head wind) and on the return leg a southerly squall blew through, negating what should have been a tail wind (when I got back the ocean was as falt as a mill-pond despite them not allowing the kayakers to go out in the first section, and halving the distance the swimmers had because the wind was so dreadful!). So with the wind working against me, and the course change, I managed and average speed of 31.kph... which I was annoyed with on the day, but retrospectively it was a good time.

I have the last TT of the season this Saturday and am hoping to perform well. I know the road well, and have done one TT on this course before. I took 38.56 mins - 30.83 average.

If we have ideal conditions this Saturday, I will be aiming for 35 1/2 minutes which is an average of 33.8, but will be satisfied if my average is anything over 32kph. Here's hoping...

Well... I am thrilled and gutted at the same time...

It was a tough day, tough conditions... nasty head and cross winds out and back.

It was a tough day... I started behind my 13 year old son with the goal of doing a better time than him, or close to his time... it was my last chance to "beat" him.

It was a tough day... my partner was too sick to race himself, let alone be my support crew... it would have been good to have him there.

It was a tough day... the marshalls measured .8 of a kilometre too much - significant when you pace yourself in a TT.

However, my head was in a good space. I did a 20kmTT of sorts the previous weekend, I had done a very good time despite outrageous gale-force winds - I knew I was in good racing form.

The outward leg was tough... cross head wind most of the way and my speedo hovered between 29- and 32... I just wanted to keep it up to 32 if I could, I would have a tail wind home... right?

Two men passed me on way out... bugger... and slowly my son opened the gap... no worries, a tail wind behind me on the way back will ensure I made up those vital seconds i was losing...

Wrong, wind shift and cross winds and some head wind on the way back too. I was able to lift my speed to 34-35 at times, but I have no endurance yet to maintain it and the slight undulations became hills which dropped me back to 28-29kph.

I didn't see my son again, but I did manage to up my rythym and catch the two guys who had passed me earlier - a huge mental advantage in a TT.

So I get back, worn out and once off the bike doing the funny walk that only a good buttock and thigh workout - combined with slightly numb girly bits) gives you.

The official results were posted on the web yesterday. My son's time was faster than me by 48seconds... I am wrapped for him.

I did a PB on that course - last time over 20km I managed a 30kph average... this time over 25.8km I managed 31.48 average (in tougher conditions).

However, the woman I beat in the last TT by over 30 seconds, had a better time than me by 1min45secs... so thats where I was gutted. We have both been improving, but she has improved more...

I know, I know, TTs are about you and the clock... but we do tend to peek and compare others times and although she did less than a km faster than me... it gives me a goal.

I am heading into the tough zone of racing now though. To lift one's speed from 32kph to 40kph requires TWICE the power output... realistically, because of my age and gender, I will be lucky to get to 35-36kph... but that must be some 60-70% more effort in terms of increasing my power. Two-three years to do this I guess???

Ah well... gotta have a goal, huh?

:D

Congratulations Raven on a great ride. You are wayyyyyy too hard on yourself. Your training is obviously paying off so you should be proud.

Trekhawk wandering off to dream about riding that fast.:)