Originally Posted by
carleton
Let me help set some expectations:
- After a winter of heavy lifting and training, sprinters often hold super high hopes for the first track day. Don't expect to be blazing fast. If you are, great. If not, don't think your season is in the toilet.
- I can't recall anyone saying that they set a PB in 38 degree weather
- Your first flying 200 this season could be worst than your worst last season. It probably won't be faster than last season. Don't worry. That's normal.
- You'll be faster as the summer progresses.
You should look at the first track day as a casual meeting of friends and to shake down your bike for the season.
Agreed x2 for the day. It's so easy to forget the effects of weather, track time, and motivation. From a 38* first 200 of the year in April to a 80* race in June, one can
easily expect .75-1.0 sec improvement.
I remember my second season: After having turned in several 12.0s in September of the previous year, I had trained hard in the gym and on rollers all winter. When I got out to the track for the first sprint night in March (40*), I was all excited to show off the work I'd put in. Unfortunately, my 13.2sec time didn't quite illuminate my prowess. I was devastated. . . right up until the local 11-second fast guys were setting 12.4s.
Eye opening.
-TC