Dump Block ITT Summer Series 07/08

[RoadRaven]

Last night was the 2nd Dump Block time trial for summer. However, there was a last minute change of course due to road works, so the course was only 15km long - out and back.

However, I will still post the report here. I was geared up for the Dump Block and rode it in a similar way.

The course was out and back, and only 15km in total. Swamp Road is much flatter than the Dump Block, and only one turn/corner – the turn-around. However, Swamp Road almost always has cross and head winds and is very rough so brings its own difficulties.

The final times haven't been posted on our website yet, so I don't know whether it was a fast or slow day. What I do know is I not only caught Caro who started 30secs in front of me (she is on a par with me fitness wise, and although TTs are about oneself, I use her to measure my performance on the day) I also caught my “minute man”.

Despite the cross-tail wind most of the way it was still tough going out...but I managed to keep my speed up to about 36-38kph most of the time - sometimes up over 40 (I lurve tail winds). I kept watching the two in front, counting the seconds til I was where they were... but by the 7.5km turn-around I had only made 1oseconds...

This was going to be a grunt. Strong head wind and gusts all the way back. But, I told myself, I can ride into the wind. It might slow me down but head winds rarely phase me. 16 minutes in to the race and I start being passed - in total by 6 people before the finish line. But that usually doesn't phase me either.

So again, I would watch for shadows on the road as those two in front passed them and count the seconds til I reached the shadow. I was gaining - 20 seconds, 25 seconds - right behind her. I couldn't hear her breathing as mine was so raspy by this point. But her cadence had slowed. I seem to sit for a moment about 10 metres behind her (and out to the side) thinking I am not gaining, and then realise I am... I pass her as my partner goes by on the way out. He doesn't see me of course, he will be wanting to pass the guys in front of him.

Then I start the self-talk... no aero-helmet, so I have the luxury of being able to glance down at my HR and my speed. I desparately want to go over 32kph... desparately. My HR has climbed to 160-161... my LT is 158bpm. I can do this. C'mon legs, you can do it. There is no pain, only the finish line. A little bit more won't hurt...

I start counting the seconds to my minute man and know I am catching him fast before I finish counting. He has gone to hard on the way out and the wind is sucking it out of him. I pass him as we reach the only small rise and I have a moment of doubt - I suck on any hills, what if he catches me back? My speed drops to 26kph - my legs feel dead, but then over the rise and I am back up to 30, and pushing it. I have nothing to lose now. Only 3 kms to go - it doesn't matter if it hurts, it'll all be over in 5-6 minutes ... it doesn't matter if I can't walk when I finish - the goal is the finish line... glance at my HR, its 165 - I can go higher than that... the head wind is brisk, my legs are ignoring me, manage to lift my speed to just over 32 and my HR to 169...

I crossed the finish line gasping - my vision was fuzzy, so I knew I got it right. I remember thinking momentarily I am glad the marshall at the finish line knows me cause no way could I have called out my number.

Final time? Well, unofficially it is 28.07... just over 32kph.

Afterwards I walked like a blind duck... this morning my legs ache and I will go for a long gentle ride... but do I feel good.

My partner had a time of about 22minutes... about 10kph faster then me. But thats ok. He is a TT specialist. He was thrilled for me, and so am I.

I whipped my but!

[Veronica]

Very nice!

V.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks V



Just to confirm as official times have just been posted: my time was 28.07 for the 15km course. Thats an average of 32.01kph. I'm well pleased.

Karo's time was 29.42; an average of 30.30kph. She will not be happy.

And my partner's time was even better than he/we thought. He has had a tummy bug, but still came in with the 2nd fastest time of 20.58minutes - only 6 seconds behind the winning time. My partner's average of 42.93kph is something I will never do but I am so thrilled for him.

[SheFly]

Nice job, RR! That is a flying fast time. And good for you for pushing yourself that little bit extra.

Now, you just need to get rid of that self-doubt. If you pass him, and he passes you back, that is ok. Just go out and ride YOUR race.

Congrats.

SheFly

[RoadRaven]

Thanks Shefly

I just love this type of race SOOO much
I know the self-doubt is not helpful, and maybe it even cost me a second or two. But I am getting bettter and better at staying focused for the entire distance.
But its improving my road/bunch racing too... a few weeks back I actually got a placing in my grade - I came in ahead of others and got points for it. I was well chuffed.
I'd enjoy racing on some of the smoother roads overseas - our roads are virtually all coarse chip seal, will makes them that much slower. (We have had quite a few UK cyclists ride with our club when they have been passing through on holidays - and they always think they will go faster than they do - and its the road surface that slows them down.

Last TT of this summer series is on Valentines Day ... must be 'cause I lurve TTs