Finally jumped in the pool today and did the Cat 5 training race at Quicksilver.

First, thanks to all on this forum who have given great advice.... It wa a huge help.

Here is the data from the race:

Duration: 29:11
Norm Power: 235
Distance: 12.047 mi

Min Max Avg
Power: 0 802 196 watts
Speed: 16 35.5 24.7 mph


Not an epic, I realize, but a nice first race.

Some observations:

1. I felt surprisingly good and never really felt under pressure. I followed everyone's advice and just followed wheels the whole time. I never rode in front and I only got out into the wind once as I moved up by going outside and into the wind.

2. I was able to stay toward the front the whole way. The last half lap I should have paid more attention because I finished maybe 15-20 out of maybe 40 (?) and I never really knew what was happening at the very front at the end. It became a blur.

3. I think this race was pretty slow and not a “real” hard race. There were no serious breakaways and no one really pushed the pace. How does 24 mph compare to normal Cat 5 pace?

4 I am sure the other shoe will drop in the next race and I will get shelled, but in this race I never felt that -- “I am about to throw up, I am having a heart attack, I want to quit, I am just a poseur, Why am I doing this?” – feeling that I get when I am at the max doing hard intervals.

5. My peak 5 minutes (last 5 minutes of the race) was at 228 watts. I think I left a lot on the table. Clearly I can put out more power than that over that time frame -- about 300 watts per 5 minutes on a good day. I wonder how I would have done at the end if I had tried to go 2d or 3d wheel and really hammered. On the one hand, I had watts to give, but on the other hand, had I done that I would have been more in the wind and maybe I would have popped.

My guess is that these races will get harder and faster over the next weeks and months as people get their legs.

Anyway, a nice gentle intro to racing and I am hepped up for more....