sarals 

Okay. I've officially entered the Snelling Road race (most of the MBRT Team will be there, along with a good women's field). I've also officially entered the Cherry Pie crit. Ex thought I should do the Cat 4 AND 35+ races, so that's what I'm going to (try) do. I hope I can contain my nerves.

chasm54

Good for you, Sara. Forget nerves, warm up properly, and don't go out too hard.

( This is advice of the "do as I say, not as I do" variety)

sarals 

LOL! I get that - however, my nerves at this stage of the game are really a huge factor. I'll be scared silly.

AzTallRider

Way to get out there, Sara. My HR used to be setting records just lining up, and with all the adrenaline pumping, the starts were something else. Now, I'm worked up leading to the race, but more calm at the actual start. We'll see tomorrow afternoon!

And I, too, have been thinking of asking Ex what he thinks of more consistent gym work... but... well... I never did. Because... you know... be careful what...

Racer Ex 

I have plans to schedule this in periodically as maintenance over the year. The difficulty is that there's a finite amount of time and training stress available in each week and block. Fatigue is fatigue, regardless of where it comes from. For a recreational cyclist, less of an issue. For a racer, more.

shovelhd

I agree. This is something I have battled with in the past. I would not give up a training race for the gym, for example. It's all a balance.

AzTallRider

It is hard to balance, and to fit it in, even when knowing that it really is a benefit.

sarals 

I'm JUST beginning to understand this. It took the first real fatigue I've ever felt to drive that home.

AzT, GOOD LUCK tomorrow afternoon! Do let me know what mantra you recite on the line to keep calm. I can use all the help I can get!

Esteban58

I will not try to break from the peloton on the first lap...
I will not try to break from the peloton on the first lap...
I will not try to break from the peloton on the first lap...

(or something like that).

In my (running) racing days, the plan that worked best for me was to find someone I knew was going to go
at the pace I wanted and tuck in behind them.

YMMV of course.

AzTallRider

I may very well be attacking on the first lap... or shortly thereafter. That tucking in and pacing thing works if you can out-sprint the other guys, but my best results come from being aggressive.

Sara, my mental approach is to think of "easing smoothly into the pack". I have plenty of adrenaline pumping, and I try to be controlled and to smoothly slot in near the front. Which is actually pretty much what Esteban said. But then we need to evaluate, and decide when to attack.

sarals 

That's where your experience comes in. I can't quite do that, yet. What I really need to do is relax. And find ways to conserve. And not talk myself out of contending.

This is a pretty good video of the Cherry Pie course - the last part not withstanding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4YlYoOyMNw

revchuck 

2:40 at endurance pace, but with 2x20 LT intervals and five "stomps" (starting a ~10 mph in 50-12 and remaining seated pedaled as hard as possible for 15 seconds, five minutes RBI). I'm tired, going to take a nap.

shovelhd

5 1/2 hours, just under 80 miles, low to high thirties, light to medium winds. Mostly endurance with a little bit of tempo and above where needed. Took two town lines, one coasting, one at 150W. Sat in a lot.

Rode the Felt!!!!! I dialed the fit in to the point where I think it's race ready. This bike is really fast. Learned more about handling deep wheels in windy conditions.

I am tired and my butt is sore, but what a great way to end my first base block.

revchuck 

shovel - You're a better man than I, Gunga Din! I waited until it hit 40 before I headed out. Sounds like a great ride, and I bet that hot shower felt nice.

Esteban58

Channeled my inner west coast weenie today, waited till 10:30 to go out. ave temp 64 and it still felt cold.
3:20, 2700 ft climbing, 50 miles... climbing muscles are sore.

shovelhd

Hot tub. There's nothing like the hot tub in the winter.

revchuck 

Esteban58

that sounds so good right now...

sarals 

Cold garage at 5:25. See the appropriate thread! I've been flying all day - everyone else is on their bike.

Esteban58

it sucks when work gets in the way of riding.

VanceMac

Spectacular day on one of my favorite climbs (rte 39). It went from warm at 6000' to freezing at around 7000'. And then 80 degrees (which felt like 95) when we got to the bottom. 61mi/7200'. My track coach is not pleased. Good thing my track coach is fictitious.

Racer Ex 

Never made it past Crystal Lake. Nice ride in any case.

No Mex crit for me tomorrow. Tired and a little scratchy today so I rested and picked up my new cranks. 2 sets of Specialized FACT arm heading off to SRM next week. See how I feel tomorrow.

Hermes

Hill climbing with MEA. 3 hours, 190 TSS, 4300 feet of climbing with 44 minutes of threshold and 43 minutes of tempo.

We started climbing Old La Honda and then continued on Skyline to climb to the top of Kings Mountain. They resurfaced Skyline with the worst chip seal possible. It is really rough. We descended Kings and set up for another climb. Here is a pic of the queen of the track getting ready for another climb.



We descended Kings and then did another climb to Huddark Park.

It was a beautiful day on the road with a lot of cyclist out. I hooked up with a former club member and we climbed OLH together. He was heading out to the coast getting ready for the Solvang Double. On one of the Kings Mountain descents, I saw two faring recumbants climbing Kings. The one guy was spinning really fast but going nowhere. He had the classic rebent rider smile on his face. I decided that is not a smile but the dead Elvis grin.

We had everything on the road today as the wind was light and the temps were in the mid 60s.

sarals 

Indeed. See Hermes' post above....

Allegheny Jet

Today was the last workout before recovery week! My wife and I did my coach's indoor trainer session. For the end of a training block I still had a lot in the tank. At the end of the two hour session we did 15" OTS sprints with 45" recoveries at easy spin. I had lots of sprints in the tank and on #7 of 8 I hit 1,018 watts. I'll take that in Jan. and on the trainer any
day. I am really feeling confident that my coach and I are really tuned in to making me a better sprinter this year.