Masters Racing (All Disciplines) - Just hanging out shooting the bull

AZT, That sounded like the crit from hell. Congrats keeping the rubber side down. How did the deep section wheels work? And, did I read it correctly that two 12 year olds made the podium in the road race?

Those two guys just -looked- like they were 12. They were really just out of college, still looking for their first real jobs.

There was one moment in the crit when, after surviving the 'death corner', I was thinking "you were an idiot to use the deep section wheels in this wind." But only once, when I came around, and was hit by a huge gust as I was completing the turn. The wind caught my front wheel when there wasn't a lot of weight on it, and it kind of twisted (left) at the same time as I was pushed to the outside. Suffice it say that I didn't push it as hard the next time around, and I changed my apex to start the turn a little later, so I could make sure any oversteering from the wind didn't put me into the hay bales. That line also let you be facing more into the wind while protected by trees. The wind really pushed you outside as you turned into it. One advantage of being dropped and riding alone is that you can pick your line. But that's also true when you are off the front, which is a heck of a lot more fun.

I'm loving the Zipps. I had tried them in a heavy wind during a training ride, and so I knew what to expect. Other than that one very atypical situation, there was never any twisting vector in the crosswinds. No issues whatsoever in the road race.

Crazy things happen in crits AZT. Keep the "free lap" in mind anytime there is a crash and you lose the field due to it. Most of the time all you need to do is go the the wheel pit at the start line and tell the referee that you had to stop due to the crash and they will let you back in. It's always worth a try and unless they didn't see the crash you will most likely get your free lap. At last year's Master's Nationals I rode over a bottle going into a trun and lost the field about 6 or 7 laps in. In hind sight I should have gone to the line and requested the free lap since it wasn't my fault that I lost the field. Once you loose the field it's all over in a crit.

Thanks for the tip, Jet. First crash in a race I was in, and I had no idea, until some of us were talking after the race, that you could get a lap because the crash caused you to be held up. The two young guys were questioning that the other guy in GC contention had been given a lap, so at least I'm not the only one still learning the ins and outs...

One other thing about this crit is that there was never a "pack". It was single file from the second corner on. I was playing catch up from the start, because another thing I didn't realize was they would only give us one lap before lining up. I did a slow lap, and found myself in the third row at the line... max power for the race was 923 watts in the surge to get up to speed and establish position.

When I was a Cat 5, I did several sanctioned races with the Cat 5 men and found them to be very strong. In the Cat 4 field, there are more experienced and stronger Cat 5s, the Cat 4 pack fodder who have been a Cat 4 for awhile and know the races and the will upgrade to Cat 3 in the future. As such, the large peloton Cat 4s here are very tough and the racers know how to make the race hard. Generally, problems arise when the fields are large and things go wrong in the interior of the large pack. We see this on TV with the Europros.

One of my 50+ racing friends is a Cat 3 and at last year's Madera Crit, the Cat 3 men strung out the field into a long line and made the race really hard. He said it was one of his hardest races ever. So each race can change depending on the chemistry of the field.

My default position is that if I have any doubt whether to use deeper section wheels or the tri spoke front, I go for less depth. IMO, the results will be better since one focuses on power production and position. I do not want the wheelset dictating my position in the pack or fighting the wind and losing power due to lack of mental focus. For the P/1/2 field, I do not think it matters. They are skilled enough to handle the deeper section wheels.

With respect to free laps, when you put your back up wheels in the pit, ask the ref for the rule on free laps. If there is a crash and you get dropped, ask for the free lap.

Still feeling pretty good, tomorrow I will ride again with my training partner and plan our next training series. He mentioned he wanted to do the Okemo race this weekend since we are all trained, I think I will pass and focus on the Greylock century on 7/9 (101 miles, 10K climbing). Been also thinking about the next Whiteface race in late Sept. as well as next years race.
Last year I estimated my average power might have been 184 watts (163W to lift 200lbs of me & bike 3500 ft + about 30 lost to drive train, tires, and & other losses). This year I estimate it was 206 watts. I would like to get my time in the low 60 minutes, that's another 20 minutes off my time. It would mean I need to loose another 15 lbs and up my average power output to 240 watts. This is the average power AJ put out in the State Masters, not sure I can match that but it sure puts a stake in the ground and something to shoot for. I could get that power demand down by maybe 10W by taking 1 lb off the bike (which I know how to do) and putting ceramic bearings in the rear wheel and pedals (already did the BB). Anyway, I now have my 2012 goal, I have 12 months and with a good taste still in my mouth, more motivation than last year. At 63 minutes my place would have been 85th as opposed to 205th. The bar is now a lot higher than this years.

My friend and I are comparing power numbers for the road race. I don't have his lap breakdown, but his avg was 256 with an 805 max. Here is my breakdown:

.........Avg....Max
Lap 1....214....983
Lap 2....233....913
Lap 3....218....727
ALL......221....983

Laptimes were 42, 41, then 51 when solo.

I was hiding well, but apparently burned more matches than I thought when I did have to move back up to the front. Surges were in the 600-800 range. I know I can smooth those out more by choosing my spots/path better. There was always recovery time after those, and so I never felt like I was cooked, but apparently I burned more than I realized, moving up during a fast paced race. That or I just couldn't pump enough O2 to the muscles at that altitude.

Anyway, I'm trying to learn as much as I can from this one, and we are putting together the training plan for the 8/21 race, which is a climbers course. :-( Adding some longer surge type intervals, and longer hill repeats than I've been doing.

Fellas, I know I'm not racing, but I am going to be on Hermes' home track this coming weekend, and I don't want to be a total embarrassment! So, I'm working a regimen that's similar to what I do the week prior to a triathlon (not that I'm any good at those, mind you). Saturday I rode 97 miles - easy ride, really, the pace was set by a gal who is NOT a fast rider, and the route was fairly flat. The last twenty miles (or so) did see me pushing against a 15 to 20 mph headwind, and during that push, I felt the change of going from glycogen stores to burning fat - the tank was empty! So, the last two days, Sunday and today, I've not done any exercise (well, I did walk a lot today), and I've been eating more than I usually do in a effort to rebuild glycogen stores. I am obsessive about my weight, I demand of myself that I stay 132 - 135, and if I get much over 135 I get panicky and take drastic measures - that causes me to deplete glycogen (because there isn't enough), and I lack in building muscle. I know all this. Now, before I get too far off track, what I am doing right now is eating more protein, a little more fat, and I'm trying to stay off the scale. Tomorrow I'll ride 45 miles, with a lot of climbing and a sprint or two, Wednesday I'll run 10K (because that's my training distance), Thursday I'll ride and swim, and Friday I'll run in the morning and then ride to work and back (36 miles). Saturday I'll rest. Sunday, I'll show Hermes how fit I am not and what a poser I really am! Truthfully, I'm trying to put something in the tank for the "bursts" on that track, and really, I don't know exactly what to expect. I also don't know how my body will respond. However, I am looking forward to finding out, to enjoying myself, and to meeting some new people.

Racing? Well...we'll see. Old dog, new tricks!

Sara,
Lots of rest and moderate uptick in fueling before is a good idea. You want to feel rested and full of energy. You will do fine - the dedication is there. Good luck!

Sara,

Resting/recovery is the ticket this week. You can still do your usual rides and workout schedule, just don't go into the hole where you are stressing the body to trigger muscle fatigue needed for growth. You don't have to take Saturday off. On the day before races I'll usually do a 1.5 hr Z2 ride with a 4 to 6 openers. Openers are sort of a wind sprint where you sprint for 20 - 30 seconds but not very hard, like 80 - 90% of full go.

On the day of your races be sure to stay ahead on hydration and get really good warmups in. Don't be afraid to work hard in the WU by getting a few minutes of Z4 and some sprints in. You want to get to the start line hot so you can hit hard when it's your turn. Your races are too short to "ride up to speed".

Hey fellas, thanks!

I'm heading out the door for my 45 mile ride with the club, the start of the "taper week". I will keep you all informed!!

You all have a good week...

Sara, The track races are very short but necessarily easy. Think of them more as sprints. Triathletes and century riders do a lot of endurance and tempo riding and typically not much threshold and vo2max. Racing at the track is mostly threshold, vo2max and anaerobic threshold.

So you will do the track efforts at tempo and threshold. You can add more longer races. If you feel good after the 2k pursuit do the 3k and or 4K. More than likely, you will think riding on the velodrome is totally cool and cannot get enough. Your time in not important and it is more about learning the right technique and safe riding. So do not think of this as a race per se. The trackies are racing and roadies are learning.

There is not much you can do this week to make a difference for Sunday. The best thing to do is not sweat it and do what you normally do but try to go into Sunday with fresher legs than normal.

The most important thing at the track for you will be executing the standing start. I do not know if you have done one with a holder. I strongly suggest you practice a couple on your TT bike with a holder if you have not done any.

As far as racing is concerned, your competitor is Red Rider. This sets up like and Ali/Frazer match.:D Good luck to both.

As far as racing is concerned, your competitor is Red Rider. This sets up like and Ali/Frazer match.:D Good luck to both.

Yes!!!, chick fights!!! Pics please!!!

Today was a track workout. Our weather has turned warm and it was 75 degrees at 8AM in San Jose. It was the first time this year, I did not have my legs covered for warmup. When I finished it was 91 degrees.

It was hot down here in Monterey, too! Our ride started at 9AM, and we hit the back roads in Fort Ord about an hour after that. On the steep climb, folks with temp sensors on their computers were reporting anything from 91 degrees to 97 degrees. In any case, it was HOT, and I'm not used to that - but I rode well none the less. My legs didn't mind that 97 miles I threw at them on Saturday at all!

Hermes, thanks for the tips and for the inspiration. AzT and AJ, my thanks go to you as well! I'll look out for Red Rider, but it's probably not going to be a "race"! I'm sure we'll be too friendly to get competetive :D

As for relaxing, this was yesterday: chill mode

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/TV2062011.jpg

Did Ansel Adams just happen to be strolling by on the road to Yosemite, or what? Nice place to chill. I'm guessing you flew yourself there?

I had this huge urge yesterday to head out on a fast solo ride, and to just go and go and go until I fell over. Coach talked me down, and instead I did a slow 1 hour evening ride with my wife through downtown Phoenix.

Easy week - then FTP test Saturday. Easy next week too, then on to the good stuff. I'm looking forward to some long tempo work. The lack of long rides is killing me!

Today was an easy 17 miles in the AM. My training partner identified a TT on July 3rd. I may not want to do that because of vacation schedules, there is another in late July that might work. Not ever doing a TT I may need some advice for what to expect. I figure the first one or two are just learning the ropes. I'll be checking the budget closely and see if I can order those Easton EA90 SLX wheels that I earned last weekend. Between those and the right tires and tubes I'll take 1lb off the bike and reduce drive train friction.

Did Ansel Adams just happen to be strolling by on the road to Yosemite, or what? Nice place to chill. I'm guessing you flew yourself there?

I did meet Ansel once, just before he passed away. He lived here in Monterey.

I walked over there, AzT! At least to that stone wall, from the car!! :~)

I live four hours from Yosemite. I go at least four times a year. It's my sanctuary and my charging station. I am awed every time I set foot there....

I did meet Ansel once, just before he passed away. He lived here in Monterey.

I walked over there, AzT! At least to that stone wall, from the car!! :~)

I live four hours from Yosemite. I go at least four times a year. It's my sanctuary and my charging station. I am awed every time I set foot there....

Off topic, but as a kid, I lived two summers in Yosemite (near Hetch Hetchy) and climbed Half-Dome at about 8-9 years old, holding on to only one rail because I was too small to hold onto both.

Like this:

http://www.fatpacking.com/images/YNP/HalfDomeCables.jpg

I live four hours from Yosemite. I go at least four times a year. It's my sanctuary and my charging station. I am awed every time I set foot there....

I too enjoy getting out to the mountains - I know exactly where your coming from.
The Adirondacks are my "recharging station".
My daughter at the top of Big Slide looking out over the Great Range.
We just love hiking the mountains together.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gmfypq-SQ84/TgE8Y86LXMI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/TQgcnMl7PKA/s640/camrea%252520videos%252520009.jpg

Like many young photographer wanna-be's, I hauled a tripod and large format camera around Yosemite emulating Adams. I also studied his techniques in college: visualization; zone system exposure; expanding and contracting contrast range with development techniques, etc. I still can't take a picture, even when using automatic exposure, without evaluating the impact of the brightness of different areas on the exposure and image. I'd say the world lost a lot when he died, but he left so much before he did.

I get recharged by the ocean, which unfortunately, is far away from me now:

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff337/megapetjarpy/Fingerprint--Brittle-Star.jpg

At tonight's training race I was sprinting up to speed out of a turn when my Dura Ace crank arm came off. The crank arm was attached to my shoe and the chain came off also. Trying to wrestle the bike under control in the middle of a sprinting field was a good test of bike handling.

I got the chain on, put the crank arm in my back pocket and gingerly rode back to the parking lot riding single leg and pushing the crank arm back. The cap to pull the crank arm close to the BB was gone. I wedged the drive side crank against a tire on my 4 Runner and put the crank arm back on. Once riding again I was not able to shift to the big ring probably due to the derailleur getting bent. My biggest gear was the 39x12 so I decided to ride at the rear of the B race for the remainder of the race. I could use the 12 and 13 gears to keep up with the pack. I did pull a few spent riders back to the field as the race went on. Our race rules say if you have a mechanical or go off the back you can rejoin the race but not compete and you should ride at the rear of the field. I didn't feel that pulling spent riders back to the field was hurting the faster guys in the B training race.

I don't understand why the crank would come off today. The last time it was off was about a month ago when I took it off and greased and re-tightened it when I was searching for a ticking sound. I hope one of our local LBS's will have the cap for the Dura Ace crankset.

A'Jet that is making lemonade out of lemons.

Tomorrow is our bi-weekly TT practice. I plan to ride the 15 mi. to the ride, and home again, as warm-up and warm-down.

It was 104* here today, and will be close to that tomorrow. Finally, summer has arrived!

Sunday in San Jose is predicted to be 77*. I'm bringing and underlayer and arm-warmers, just in case that feels cold to me.

cyclinfool, AJ, and AzTR, glad to see that all of you dug deep this past weekend and came away the better for it. :)

Sara and Red Rider, I am sure that both of you will have a great time at the track.

No racing for me this past weekend which was fine. I rode 80 miles to my parents' house. My family met me there and my sister and youngest brother were there to celebrate Father's Day.

At our local Tuesday evening race I decided to race the Masters 40+ instead of the Pro/1/2/3 race. My teammates who usually help push the pace in the Masters decided to do the Pro race. [/startrant] It kind of kills me that people go to these races and just soft pedal until the prime sprints and last lap. I tried a bunch of different tactics to make a break stick or to split the pack. Someone told me it almost worked one time. I think we ended up dropping about half the starting field of 40 or so riders. There was one other guy who worked a bit but other than him, people were content to sit at the front at 21-22 MPH. :mad: I even just sat at the front for 1 mile at 24-25 MPH to try to get some momentum going but no one would pull through after I pulled off. We barely managed to pull out a 24 MPH average speed but at this time of year we should be looking at 26 MPH for an average. :mad: :mad: A friend of mine from another team asked me what kind of drugs I've been taking. I told him they weren't working well enough since I couldn't make a break stick. ;) But seriously, there are no upgrade points, no cash prizes, and no podium girls. There are just series points. So why can't people push themselves a bit? Really, all I want is the opportunity to try some race tactics and work hard. [/endrant]

BTW, don't get me going on photography. I spent too much time in a photo forum before I found BF.

Also, I used to get up to Yosemite about once each year. Now I haven't been there in 20 years. I have a couple of Half Dome stories that I'd be happy to tell in-person over a beer. :D

AJ,

I think I would have called it quits - great save!

I don't understand why the crank would come off today. The last time it was off was about a month ago when I took it off and greased and re-tightened it when I was searching for a ticking sound. I hope one of our local LBS's will have the cap for the Dura Ace crankset.

When something similar happened to me, right after I got the Gunnar (FSA crankset), it stripped the threads in the cap, so be sure to check the threads in the crank.

When something similar happened to me, right after I got the Gunnar (FSA crankset), it stripped the threads in the cap, so be sure to check the threads in the crank.

I did and it looked like half of the teeth inside the crank arm were worn off. I went online to see what a new crank arm cost. Holy S*** Batman!!!:eek: $195- 225!!! for the single arm.

However an image of the crank arm showed teeth on about 50% of the inner surface, just like mine. The threads for the cap are OK also. I now need to find a cap. I already put my old Sram crank back on the bike and didn't have to do anything with the derailleur as it shifts into the big ring. I'll have the LBS install the Dura Ace crank if and when I get the cap.

R'Rider, That is definitely hot and kill it on the TT.

Tomorrow is our bi-weekly TT practice. I plan to ride the 15 mi. to the ride, and home again, as warm-up and warm-down.

It was 104* here today, and will be close to that tomorrow. Finally, summer has arrived!

Sunday in San Jose is predicted to be 77*. I'm bringing and underlayer and arm-warmers, just in case that feels cold to me.

77* would be a warm day here! I'll bring arm-warmers, but that's it.

Red Rider, I'll see you Sunday!

Oh, I spoke with one of the gals in our club whom I know rides at the Velodrome. Her name is Robin, and she'll be there - cheering section!

Hey guys, great Yosemite stories and photos. Me, I'm not a photographer, not even close. I used to draw and got reasonable with charcoal and pen and ink as a kid, but I have the creativity of a sofa and I gave up on it out of frustration. As for the YNP, yes, I have also sampled the cable-way! Wow, is that an upper body workout.

Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled program....

Cleave, I certainly understand your frustration.

AJ, I am GLAD you didn't fall - O M G...that was close!!!!!

Sara,

My wife and I made it out to Yosemite a year and a 1/2 ago. Spending most of my career in parks and recreation the national park is sort of a holy grail that I had to encounter. The valley and big trees nearby in the Maricopa Grove are awe inspiring. Although I have absolutely no interest in climbing the rock faces, zip, nada, none!!! I would like to ride my bike down the road out of the park. The late October weather was spectacular and I can still remember everything including the sounds and smells of the forest. If I lived in the area I would also visit several times a year. My wife's favorite part of the vacation was the time we spent along the coast in Montery and Santa Cruz.

Sara,

My wife and I made it out to Yosemite a year and a 1/2 ago. Spending most of my career in parks and recreation the national park is sort of a holy grail that I had to encounter. The valley and big trees nearby in the Maricopa Grove are awe inspiring. Although I have absolutely no interest in climbing the rock faces, zip, nada, none!!! I would like to ride my bike down the road out of the park. The late October weather was spectacular and I can still remember everything including the sounds and smells of the forest. If I lived in the area I would also visit several times a year. My wife's favorite part of the vacation was the time we spent along the coast in Montery and Santa Cruz.

AJ, the next time you two are out here, we'll take road bikes to YNP and ride out. That's on my to do list, too. Also, I'll give you the nickle tour of this area. I enjoy doing that!

One hour recovery ride this evening. After yesterday's blistering heat, the fog was back and the temperature on the road was 65 degrees and very windy. I was in low gears spinning like a madman. I was on the final leg of the ride and into the wind. i was at 100 watts and glance behind and there is someone drafting me. WTF. I slowed as I approached my car and a woman slow rolled by and thanked me for the draft. I drug her around at z0...Pretty funny.

One hour recovery ride this evening. After yesterday's blistering heat, the fog was back and the temperature on the road was 65 degrees and very windy. I was in low gears spinning like a madman. I was on the final leg of the ride and into the wind. i was at 100 watts and glance behind and there is someone drafting me. WTF. I slowed as I approached my car and a woman slow rolled by and thanked me for the draft. I drug her around at z0...Pretty funny.
At least you got a "thank you", she was probably tired from a long ride and struggling to get back home in the wind.
It has been rain the last half of the week - will continue into the weekend, riding will be spotty.

Ah, she was probably just checking out your butt. :innocent:

I slowed as I approached my car and a woman slow rolled by and thanked me for the draft. I drug her around at z0...Pretty funny.

Your z0 might be her z4.:D I noticed last week when riding with my brother-in-law on z2 rides that his breaking point was when I was riding at 190-200 watts and he was in my draft. He rides mostly hills where he lives in central PA and Ohio's long flats are not his style.

Was she a cute redhead my any chance?

Your z0 might be her z4.:D I noticed last week when riding with my brother-in-law on z2 rides that his breaking point was when I was riding at 190-200 watts and he was in my draft. He rides mostly hills where he lives in central PA and Ohio's long flats are not his style.

Was she a cute redhead my any chance?

No, it was not Red Rider.:D And my wife was on patrol in the vicinity doing z4s on her TT bike. So I was on best behavior.:lol:

The route was the time trial course which is about 6 miles from our house. It is flat to rolling (1-3% grades) but there is always a stiff breeze that comes from the ocean funneled through a canyon. I suspect she took refuse out of the wind. However, I like the idea that my z0 was her z4. I just need to get that going in the men's Cat 4 peloton.:thumb:

Also, as I was spinning up the slight hills in recovery, I had some hairy legged, unattached (I am being kind) men go screaming by me.:roflmao2: I bet there will be a post somewhere about dropping dropping a Webcor pro.:D

I guess you're pretty sure that wasn't me!

Ummm...not the hairy leg person, the, ah, the "drafter"...

:~)

I guess you're pretty sure that wasn't me!

Ummm...not the hairy leg person, the, ah, the "drafter"...

:~)

You would have been on your Felt doing speed work getting ready for Sunday.:thumb:

You would have been on your Felt doing speed work getting ready for Sunday.:thumb:

Indeedie!

Wait until I post a picture of what I am going to ride today - you'll ban me from the track!

I wanted to race the local Thursday night 8 mile TT this evening. I packed up the bike and supplies intending to go to the TT from work. There were scattered thunder storms in the area so I went home instead. After the rain passed I decided to do my own TT out on the Medina County flatland where I do my intervals. After a good warm up I did my 8 mile TT on the lonesome roads all dressed up in a TT helmet and the wheel disk my boy's got me for Father's Day. I've not done many TT's so tonight was a good indicator of my desire to suffer. On the square course the wind was about 12 mph and one section of road is a 2+ mile false flat with a coarse chip and seal surface that just happened to be into the wind today. It took some discipline to watch the PT on that section rather than look at the mph but I was able to keep the power constant. My goal was to ride at upper L4 and not cook myself early and I was able to do that and averaged 280 watts for the 19:43 effort. The effort hurt but was not killer and I could have continued on for a bit longer. The only problem I had was feed back from the HR monitor. About 1/2 way into the interval it showed my HR in the 180's which is much higher than my HR max of 172. I think the high reading was the result of interference or wind hitting my jersey, the data shows the HR going from 153.8 to 188.6 in 3 seconds then staying up there through the end of the interval. If today's TT were a race I know that I had more to give and am now looking forward to the 8.5 mile TT coming up at the Tour of the Valley Omnium the 2nd weekend in July. My goal for the 8.5 mile TT at the TOV is 20:30 that I believe is obtainable. Last year on my road bike I finished in 23:37 and 20:30 would have made the podium in the Master's race.

1.5 hour endurance ride with wife. Hooked up with some friends on the road. Tomorrow is another killer day at the track.

AJ, The TT sounded great. Welcome to the sufferfest.

AJ, The TT sounded great. Welcome to the sufferfest.

I can't imagine doing a 40K TT. It seems the pain on a TT is not proportional to the effort and that is where I need to live. I recall the pain at 280 watts wasn't much different than the 320 watts over the last couple minutes. I wanted the damm thing done after 7 -8 minutes in, it just plain hurts, but the body kept working.

I wanted to race the local Thursday night 8 mile TT this evening. I packed up the bike and supplies intending to go to the TT from work. There were scattered thunder storms in the area so I went home instead. After the rain passed I decided to do my own TT out on the Medina County flatland where I do my intervals. After a good warm up I did my 8 mile TT on the lonesome roads all dressed up in a TT helmet and the wheel disk my boy's got me for Father's Day. I've not done many TT's so tonight was a good indicator of my desire to suffer. On the square course the wind was about 12 mph and one section of road is a 2+ mile false flat with a coarse chip and seal surface that just happened to be into the wind today. It took some discipline to watch the PT on that section rather than look at the mph but I was able to keep the power constant. My goal was to ride at upper L4 and not cook myself early and I was able to do that and averaged 280 watts for the 19:43 effort. The effort hurt but was not killer and I could have continued on for a bit longer. The only problem I had was feed back from the HR monitor. About 1/2 way into the interval it showed my HR in the 180's which is much higher than my HR max of 172. I think the high reading was the result of interference or wind hitting my jersey, the data shows the HR going from 153.8 to 188.6 in 3 seconds then staying up there through the end of the interval. If today's TT were a race I know that I had more to give and am now looking forward to the 8.5 mile TT coming up at the Tour of the Valley Omnium the 2nd weekend in July. My goal for the 8.5 mile TT at the TOV is 20:30 that I believe is obtainable. Last year on my road bike I finished in 23:37 and 20:30 would have made the podium in the Master's race.

Yes!!!!

I think I get myself into a frame of mind the week before an event where psychologically I can't get my body to perform. Everything seems to hurt more, my heart rate is higher, and I just can't seem to get going. For example, I just did a light run, only 3:54 miles, but my legs felt like lead, my heart rate went right to the mid 140's (and I wasn't pushing), and my breathing was labored. I swam yesterday, with the same results. I rode an old Marin cross bike to the pool, and I complained in another thread about the saddle, the clothes I was wearing, and the weight, and the seating position - but, in reality, I couldn't get into the mindset of MOVING, pushing, getting my body to perform.

Is this normal? Do I need a coach to stay on my heels and snap at me to keep me going, even to make me push myself harder (I can't afford a coach, so that won't happen)?

I don't know that I will ever race. The idea is appealing, but I know so little about what it takes to get my body to where it will perform (anywhere close to what you fellas say you can do) and perform consistently. Normally, I don't mind the pain, at all. That's why I keep going to climbs that are so difficult for me - there's a satisfaction in seeing improvement, as well as physical gain. But, I just can't push myself to that "next level", and I really don't know how to get there - on my own.

I've read interviews with elite athletes, and the common answer when they're asked how is it that they can perform as well as they do is "first, you pick your parents. Then, you pick the right genes..." and so on. Me, I know that did NOT happen, especially after reading an interview with Evie Stevens (before she became a cyclist she would go run 12 miles "just because"). She has all the tools, I have an empty box! But, I have the curiosity and the where with all - most of the time.

So what is it? Is it mindset? Is it ability? Is it physique? Is it all of the above? Finally, is it a pipe dream to want to "try" to improve and maybe even compete?

I can't imagine doing a 40K TT. It seems the pain on a TT is not proportional to the effort and that is where I need to live. I recall the pain at 280 watts wasn't much different than the 320 watts over the last couple minutes. I wanted the damm thing done after 7 -8 minutes in, it just plain hurts, but the body kept working.

I competed in our District (State) Championship ITT last year and did a 40 K. It was very hard. Mentally, it is very tough. It is a discipline contained within the sport of cycling. An interesting story... One of my female teammates, competed at our district TT a couple of weeks ago and did a 40K ITT. She broke her own National record for 50 -55. She competed last Saturday at the track and did the 2k pursuit. After the pursuit was over, she said that was much harder than the 40K TT.

I think all the races in cycling have evolved to being difficult and a tough challenge. Nothing is easy.

The pursuit is so hard. 2k seems so short so how can it be so difficult. I was a 400 meter runner. You can only run so hard or you fall down. The 2k pursuit is like running 3 x400 meters with no rest interval only you can push yourself into a deeper state of exhaustion.

Did another track workout this AM. It was a beautiful day but we had a lot of wind so everything was harder.

Sara, the others can give you the benefit of their much greater experience - I can just provide my newbie experience and relate that to what you are going through in your mental gyrations. What I believe happens is that doubts worm their way in (unfortunately sometimes placed their by those close to you!), which leads to anxiety, which leads to stress, which inhibits performance. There are very real physical reactions to stress. Some can help, but most do not, especially with an endurance sport. One thing about stress, that was really pounded into me scuba diving (where stress kills), is that stress is a reaction to something new. If something is unfamiliar, it stresses you out no matter what it is. Once it becomes familiar, it no longer does. So the prospect of competition stresses you out, and that messes with you physically. So much in our minds becomes self-fulfilling.

By the way, you are already hooked by seeing that improvement that comes through your determination. And that is what it takes. It isn't a pipe dream. I hate to coin a commercial phrase, but "just do it".