Too Tall
03-29-2004, 07:17 AM
So? Nu?
Me first. Had my first race of the season. It was a first in a few other ways also. I've been focused on Ultra's for the last 8-9 yrs. and done very little USCF other than TTs. Also a first because I've hired a pro coach. Also a first because I was crazy enough to throw in with the 40+ crowd who are faster than the 4/5 lot....all that to say I was intimidated even before arriving at the scene.
Anyway, there is a pre-race routine I go through and that was a comfort. Also, I am friends and know many many faces in the crowd. It is GREAT to have teammates in my field who I know will encourage me and we support each others moves, what fun.
This was the Jefferson Cup, which is traditionally a tough race. It is about 1/3 6-8% hills with one tough 2 min. climb followed by a false flat...that's where folks get popped. The previous few weeks I'd been practicing 2-3 min. 500watt efforts to prepare so the "hill" went well. HR only hit 161 each lap which is less than 90% of max. The thing that gave me a real boost during the race was the realization that these guys can't ride their bikes...by and large their skills needed work. On the other hand you could not have asked to race with a more decent bunch of gents. Folks actually spoke in calm voices and told you they were coming by (if it was tight) or gave a polite tap if they needed room. Ok, that's normal you say? Yeah, that's what we know from watching pro racing but we are talkin' USCF here NOT pro's. I REALLY like the way everyone conducted themselves....REALLY.
Anywho (hehe), at the end I laid down a bunch of watts but felt no need to get out of the saddle and sprint. The race went well and that's all I wanted. I ended up in the the top 1/3. Avg. watts for the race was 329 and top watts was 1400 in the (seated) sprint.
It was a good day and I'm too tall to race.
And you SIR!
Me first. Had my first race of the season. It was a first in a few other ways also. I've been focused on Ultra's for the last 8-9 yrs. and done very little USCF other than TTs. Also a first because I've hired a pro coach. Also a first because I was crazy enough to throw in with the 40+ crowd who are faster than the 4/5 lot....all that to say I was intimidated even before arriving at the scene.
Anyway, there is a pre-race routine I go through and that was a comfort. Also, I am friends and know many many faces in the crowd. It is GREAT to have teammates in my field who I know will encourage me and we support each others moves, what fun.
This was the Jefferson Cup, which is traditionally a tough race. It is about 1/3 6-8% hills with one tough 2 min. climb followed by a false flat...that's where folks get popped. The previous few weeks I'd been practicing 2-3 min. 500watt efforts to prepare so the "hill" went well. HR only hit 161 each lap which is less than 90% of max. The thing that gave me a real boost during the race was the realization that these guys can't ride their bikes...by and large their skills needed work. On the other hand you could not have asked to race with a more decent bunch of gents. Folks actually spoke in calm voices and told you they were coming by (if it was tight) or gave a polite tap if they needed room. Ok, that's normal you say? Yeah, that's what we know from watching pro racing but we are talkin' USCF here NOT pro's. I REALLY like the way everyone conducted themselves....REALLY.
Anywho (hehe), at the end I laid down a bunch of watts but felt no need to get out of the saddle and sprint. The race went well and that's all I wanted. I ended up in the the top 1/3. Avg. watts for the race was 329 and top watts was 1400 in the (seated) sprint.
It was a good day and I'm too tall to race.
And you SIR!