Hermes

For a moment, I thought the "triathlete" might be her. She ripped off a 23:21 at Beat the Clock a couple of weeks ago. She was born in 1980 / Brit / Aussie - phew. The fastest male was 21:38 with the next fastest woman 25:09. One of your competitors did it in 26:31 which is a smoking time for a woman. Good luck.

Heathpack 

"Good luck, you'll need it."

You are such a supportive friend.

Racer Ex 

The harder you train, the more you prepare, the luckier you get

Heathpack 

Totally true. And even just a willingness to go out and race is huge. Its way easier to not race, when you think about it.

Racer Ex 

I don't think about it. If I did I'd probably quit the sport.

sarals 

What Ex said. Don't over think it!

In your age category - you're right there, I'd say it's pretty even. Andi Smith is strong, she rides with and for Cami Deluca, who is in 55-59. Cami is the class of that age group, with Helen Casabona and Yvonne Walbroehl very close to her. Look at their times, I have. You're very close to them over similar distances. Dusty Dustyn is riding your age group to ride twice. She's a solid distance rider, and last year she bested me (she aged up this year) by about what I expected, considering how my TT's were at that time. Once again - you are very much on terms with her.

Ride your race. Throw it down. Ride like you can. I would be very surprised to see that you didn't get on the podium, and I expect at the very least the second step. You'll do well!

sarals 

Me, I'm not going to talk about or worry about what I'll do this weekend. I'll ride the best I can over that distance THAT day, and let the chips fall where they will. I've been working hard, I've been improving, I've been well coached.

As have you!

sarals 

That was Andi, I believe. I think Heathie can ride with her!

Heathpack 

Yesterday was some short intervals, seemed pretty easy, I had trouble containing myself. Well, I didn't fully contain myself actually.

Today I was supposed to do a mellow group ride, but the problem with that is if I try to be mellow on my Thursday night group ride, I'll be riding solo starting 5 min in. So I rustled up a non-Nightcrawler friend for a little sunrise climby thing. Mellow chatty pace, I haven't done that in awhile, it was pretty pleasant actually. His dog has cancer, Thorfin Sasquatch is trying to follow me on Strava, we're both looking forward to GMR on Fourth of July, remember that time he got ahead of us on the descent, made a wrong turn, got off course, broke his chain and had to call his wife to come get him, which was a two hour drive? Meanwhile, we were about to send out a search party when we got back to the cars and there was no sign of him? Good times.

Also: another woman signed up for the NoCal TT. That makes 7 of us. She's another triathlete, but mostly a runner. Can't find many results of hers, so she's an unknown. Her bio on the running club website says she does "TTs in the summer". But obviously not USAC races.

Been crazy at work & we'd like to hit the road early in the am to head up to Reno. Who knows when we'll actually get going, though? Sat am, I'll go ride openers on the course and survey the scene.

Weather still looks great for Sunday.

Heathpack 

Halfway there, through the bug-splattered windshield.

beatlebee 

I see goodness on the horizon.

valygrl

Sierra>Rockies.

Heathpack 

BTW just to clarify we were halfway to Reno, where we are staying for the NoCal TT Championship, which takes place on Sunday. Then we drive 8ish hours back to LA on Sunday afternoon, then I work all week and then Colorado.

valygrl

You need to kidnap ex and bring him to CO with you.

Heathpack 

Totally wish I could. Why must the man have a life beyond cycling?!

sarals 

That's a centuries old debate.....

sarals 

In a little over an hour I'll be doing the "final opener for the TT". Yesterday's iteration went just fine. I took a "movie selfie" during the zone 1 phase, put it up on Facebook, and one of my friends scolded me for violating a yet unpublished Velominati Rule, which says "no selfies except during coffee after the ride".

I'm leaving for Reno at 11AM local this morning. It's not the drive that Heathie has, mine is only around six hours. I'm bringing a non-cycling friend, she wants to "see how Reno has changed" since she was last there, what, twenty five years ago? That means we'll go out and overeat tonight! I'll see Heathie at the course tomorrow morning. I'll finish as she's doing her warmup, and I'll see her start. Then I have to compile the results for the Masters Women 55+ Series, and do the podium for the fastest three 55+ women in the TT. Plus, I have several thousand (it seems) people to see and catch up with (not just Heathie!) at the race. Bike racing is very social. Very!

Heathpack 

@sarals, I'm heading out to the course pretty soon to check it out. If you know your course yet (one-way vs out & back), I can scope things out for you, text you some pics of landmarks for your turn, finish, etc.

I think I'll do the pre-reg thing this afternoon at Tour de Nez, so I probably won't arrive tomorrow until around 8am. Not much time to discuss anything but I won't be yet warming up when you are finishing your warm up, so there will be a few minutes.

Also, it will be cold at your start, if you want to wear a jacket to your start or bring a bottle to drink a little more, one of us can meet you at the start line and take your stuff for you immediately before you go. Let us know.

sarals 

@Heathpack, information on the course would be terrific! I'm pretty sure my course (20K) is out and back. Ex sent me the profile via Ride with GPS, and it looks flat, flat, but any information on the pavement conditions, etc, would be so appreciated. I wish I could preride it, but I'm still at work (night shift last night) and I can't get up to Loyalton in time to do that.

I saw the info on registering at Tour de Nez. Definitely the way to do it! I'll be waiting on the line tomorrow morning at reg to sign in and get my number. Then it's on to warmup....

sarals 

Can you kidnap me, too??

valygrl

^^ yes that too, i didn't realize your race was the same one as HP's!

Heathpack 

Haha, you can't get in trouble for missing work if you were kidnapped. I think this is the solution now that you bring it up.

It can be arranged...

Heathpack 

Rest Monday then JRA with a friend Tuesday am. This morning I tried some intervals on the TT bike and had to abandon them, I was totally wiped. Tomorrow climbing a little with a friend to watch the sunrise up in the mountains.

Then one more day of work and then vacation. I've been super-busy lately, my work colleague has been away for the past 10 days, so I had an overbooked schedule, worked some extra days and was picking up all the emergencies. It will be good to take a break.

sarals 

Today, a ride with my friend Barb. It was our Wednesday Duel. PR's on climbs, attacking each other, and then I cramped. Still, almost two hours and a TSS of 180. It feels good to feel good!

Tomorrow - training ride with my team. The team coach is going to hold "sprint intervals". My mouth is watering!

sarals 

Promise?