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04-07-08, 02:55 PM
Abridged: I'm getting better, and faster than I thought.
Unabridged:
So after doing horribly at the Columbia criterium, I decided to up my training program and try to ride more, and ride hard (when I could). A major addition to my training was a nice beatdown at Prospect Park, with plenty of hill climbs and sprint intervals included.
Getting to Army, I felt much more confident. Instead of starting at the front like my stronger team-mates, I decided to play pack-fodder until I got to their level. I knew I was in for some brutal climbing, and even though I'm not a climber (nor do I really want to be), I felt more prepared this time than last.
PART I: The Road Race
I was not selected to do the Team Time Trial, which is okay, given that I tried a part of the course myself pacing a women's team from Boston (probably in a higher category) and burned out far into it.
The road race was a decent course with one power hill towards the finish. Staying with the pack really helped me, as I was able to keep a very nice pace throughout most of the race. I didn't die on the power climb, but I lost a bit of traction there. I still need to work on my climbing, but it's much better than before. I placed 10/18.
PART II: Individual Time Trial
This was the toughest part of the course, as they opened up Stoney Lonesome for this. For the uninitiated, Stoney Lonesome is a 2.5 mile, 600ft climb with false flats exactly where you would expect a finish line. There are worse climbs than this, but this was pretty bad.
I concentrated mostly on getting a good pace more than anything. I knew I wasn't going to fly up the hill at 15, so I put it on a gear that wouldn't burn me out, but would let me keep something of a good pace.
I averaged 9.1 mph up the climb, which for me is proof that I am much stronger than when I started in this sport. I thought I finished last, but apparently I finished 9/11.
What wasn't as spectacular was having to descend at 25 mph to obey speed laws. Ick.
PART III: The Criterium
I was a little fearful here, as criteriums didn't seem to be my strong point. However, I followed the same strategy as I did for the road race, and it worked spectacularly. Until my chain decided to lock up (ironically, on the smaller and much easier power climb than on the brutality that was the time trial). Lost a lap because of it, and placed last.
Overall, I'm very happy with my results, but I still have work to do. Fortunately, our team did finish first for Intro (giving a lot of coaches more reason to heckle us to move up).
Unabridged:
So after doing horribly at the Columbia criterium, I decided to up my training program and try to ride more, and ride hard (when I could). A major addition to my training was a nice beatdown at Prospect Park, with plenty of hill climbs and sprint intervals included.
Getting to Army, I felt much more confident. Instead of starting at the front like my stronger team-mates, I decided to play pack-fodder until I got to their level. I knew I was in for some brutal climbing, and even though I'm not a climber (nor do I really want to be), I felt more prepared this time than last.
PART I: The Road Race
I was not selected to do the Team Time Trial, which is okay, given that I tried a part of the course myself pacing a women's team from Boston (probably in a higher category) and burned out far into it.
The road race was a decent course with one power hill towards the finish. Staying with the pack really helped me, as I was able to keep a very nice pace throughout most of the race. I didn't die on the power climb, but I lost a bit of traction there. I still need to work on my climbing, but it's much better than before. I placed 10/18.
PART II: Individual Time Trial
This was the toughest part of the course, as they opened up Stoney Lonesome for this. For the uninitiated, Stoney Lonesome is a 2.5 mile, 600ft climb with false flats exactly where you would expect a finish line. There are worse climbs than this, but this was pretty bad.
I concentrated mostly on getting a good pace more than anything. I knew I wasn't going to fly up the hill at 15, so I put it on a gear that wouldn't burn me out, but would let me keep something of a good pace.
I averaged 9.1 mph up the climb, which for me is proof that I am much stronger than when I started in this sport. I thought I finished last, but apparently I finished 9/11.
What wasn't as spectacular was having to descend at 25 mph to obey speed laws. Ick.
PART III: The Criterium
I was a little fearful here, as criteriums didn't seem to be my strong point. However, I followed the same strategy as I did for the road race, and it worked spectacularly. Until my chain decided to lock up (ironically, on the smaller and much easier power climb than on the brutality that was the time trial). Lost a lap because of it, and placed last.
Overall, I'm very happy with my results, but I still have work to do. Fortunately, our team did finish first for Intro (giving a lot of coaches more reason to heckle us to move up).