I did my first race! (TT)

[pyxichick]

I bought my first road bike in May of last year, and I wanted to share with everyone, the completion of one big cycling goal.

Here's a copy of what I posted on the MN Velo Bella blog:

Black Dog Time Trial June 13th

I finally did my first race!

I managed to leave work on time to find the location of the time trial, not get lost, and even had time to warm up sufficiently beforehand.

Bruce showed up shortly after I did, and gave me excellent instruction on a specific warm-up on my trainer prior to the race. Thanks Bruce!

I think the warm-up really helped. My legs felt good during the race.

I tried to take everyone's advice and start out moderately, but when I looked down at my speedometer, I was at 20 mph. I took it back a bit, knowing that I couldn't keep that up for the whole distance.

I was at about mile 2 when I actually passed a woman who started two places in front of me. I couldn't believe it. I was ecstatic.

At about mile three I started to feel like I was going to throw up. I took the speed down a bit, still felt like I was going to throw up. Realized I was going to feel like throwing up the remainder of the race no matter what, so I may as well go as hard as I can without the HR going over 190.

The turnaround was not very graceful or fast, but oh well.

The way back seemed longer than the way out. I saw the bridge and knew the finish was just beyond it. It occurred to me that this is when I should really push it. But I already was maxed out. When I saw the finish, I imagined sprinting, but I didn't have anything left, except that even stronger feeling like I was going to puke.

I crossed the finish and couldn't remember when I last started my timer, so don't know my real time. Then I rolled around a little afterwards and forgot to look at my avg. pace. Hey, I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice that rational thinking goes out the window when you're in that state of exertion.

I had no expectations whatsoever, since I'd never even tried to see how fast I could go for that distance. I set a goal for myself of an average of 18 mph, and I think I made it.

I haven't checked official results yet, but I'm happy for just having done it

posted by Pyxichick @

[smilingcat]

good job for not being a "jack rabbit". TT can be difficult since you want to max yourself out but you can't bonk out and you have to run at threshold between aerobic and anaerobic till the last 100m or so. So I would say you did pretty darn well. and passing people too.

Sounds like you gauged yourself pretty well.

Wish you many more happy riding. Will you be thinking of getting a TT bike anytime soon? I know a lot of bikes go on e-bay starting in October timeframe so you might want to start thinking about it now. Save money...

anyway congrats,
meowmeow
smilingcat

[teigyr]

I have no experience in any of that but the only talent I have is climbing. In my first century, there was a hill at mile 15 or so. I had been passed so finally HERE was my opportunity to pass people and I did over and over. Of course I felt it from miles 20-100....

Hey though, it sounds like you had a great ride! You rode hard, you learned your limits, and you realized what you'd do differently next time. That's what it's all about. It sounds like you had a great time! Would you do it again?

[northstar]

Yay Kate!

[pyxichick]

Thanks!

Yes, I'd do it again. It was the hardest thing I've ever done physically, but I was so exhilirated afterwards, and I was surprised at how much I was able to push myself.

They have this tt every other week all summer long, so I'll try again later in the summer to see I can improve my time.

I want to encourage everyone out there who's thinking of doing a tt, to go ahead and give it a shot. It's a great way to mentally challenge yourself and test your limits.

Kate

[RoadRaven]

Now... if you wanted to throw up for half of the race...

Well...

You were def "in the zone"

Awesome riding - that exhileration, and the race against your self...

...now you understand why I am addicted to this "race of truth"