A Bit of Bragging, if I May

[SheFly]

I'm not usually one to toot my own horn, but I need to share with people who will understand my enthusiasm .

Some of you may remember that my specialty in bike racing is the TT, and our club hosts a weekly event from April to September on the same course every week. I have been participating in the CBTT (Charlie Baker Time Trial) since 2005, and have made significant time improvements over the years - some as a result of coughing up for all the right equipment

Last night, I rode from the house over to the event, as usual, and felt like absolute poo. I had raced a VERY muddy and wet MTB race on Sunday (that took over 3 hours due to conditions and a rear wheel that wouldn't turn on it's own), and had ridden reasonably hard with our junior development team the night before. I figured that this was just not my night, and accepted that.

Heading out on the first leg of the loop (it's a 9.75 mile course with all right hand turns and one climb), I felt good, and was surprised to see speeds in the 27 to 30 mph range without feeling as if I was killing myself. Dh started 30 seconds behind me, and it took him quite awhile to catch me, which I was surprised by. When he did go by, I made it a goal to see how long I could keep him in sight.

I maintained visual contact with DH all through the second leg of the course (woohoo!). As we made the right turn onto the final leg, I was very surprised to find myself closing the gap between us. Um - now what do I do? I shouldn't be passing him back - just not possible!

But, pass him I did. And then I floored it to see if I could maintain my position. I crossed the finish line in 23:03 - 14 seconds FASTER than my previous PR set last year!!! That equates to a 25.4 mph average speed. DH was on my heels, but never passed me back.

I am, of course, excited about the new PR, but also a bit disappointed that I couldn't find the extra 4 seconds . This is why I keep going BACK to the stupid TT!

I also did a search of faster times over the years. There are now only 4 women faster than me, and 2 of them have won Ironman Hawaii! Not bad company!

Thanks for letting me gloat, just a little bit.

SheFly

[maillotpois]

Wow - that's terrific!! Congratulations!

And I used to work for a guy who said something like "If you don't blow your own horn, someone else will use it as a funnel."

[7rider]

Sweet!!!

You can blow your horn for that one! That rocks. Congrats.

(BTW...That's not the Wednesday night TT in Ipswich, is it?)

[limewave]

AWESOME! Congrats. I bet at that pace your DH didn't even know you had passed him.

[redrhodie]

I love that post! You rock!

When Beryl Burton passed the last guy ahead of her to win the 12 hour world record, she offered him a piece of candy. What did you give your DH?

[indysteel]

Wow; that's an impressive average speed. I couldn't even come close to that in a tight pack, let alone on my own. Congrats!!!

[spokewench]

Yahoo! You rock

[Desert Tortoise]

How exciting, congratulations!!

Wow, the only time I can go 27-30 mph without feeling like I'm killing myself is on a steep DOWNhill.

Way to go She Fly

[OakLeaf]

Very nice. Very, very nice. Congratulations.