I did a criterium tonight for the first time in 4 years.... out the back I went!
 

It was a real eye opener for me! I used to dominate the Crits in college, winning multiple in both collegiate and USCF Cat 3. I did my last real race in 2007. The Army took it all away from me with two trips to Iraq, a lot of traveling and field time, but I finally got a chance to get some down time in the past month. I have done some running since then, but no real cycling workouts.

I "thought" maybe I still had my fitness... wrong. Two 50 mile group rides did not prepare me for the ass whoopin' I got this evening by the Cat 4 field. I got about 20 minutes into the race and realized I was not going to be able to hang. Sure enough, on the next acceleration, I could not hang on the pack. As bad as it made me feel, it was good to get a dose of reality. Now I know what I need to do to fix it. No racing for me until next Spring, just get my base back and train :D

You lasted 20 minutes after only two 50 mile group rides for training? That's very good.

Congratulations on making it back from Iraq, and thanks.

You are slow. It only took me 8 minutes to realize I wasn't going to be able to hang. Keep at it.


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Thank you for your service. Welcome back.

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Enjoy this first part as you come back into the sport. At no other time will your fitness gains be as impressive and rapid. Savor it.

Thank you for your service -

also, training will help with base & such, but nothing replicates racing like racing will... You might find it worth your time to race at least a few times?

Ditto on all above.

You might find a local weeknight series if there is one in your area and try some c-pack races. They are often less competitive. I know plenty of guys racing in Cs who are generally fit form other activities (running/racquetball/basketball), but who only do a few rides per week and manage to hang in the pack. At least then you'd be racing.

The Army never had me do intervals.

Welcome home/back.

+whatever on service.

The guy that won the Bethel Spring Series (Cat 3-4) this year took about a year plus to get back into good racing shape after his stint in the badlands. His first year back wasn't that great on the bike (and I daresay it was a tough year in general). Now in the races that suit him he's very good. In others he works for his teammates, and three of them upgraded to Cat 2 in the last two years, so his work is good.

+thanks as well.

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