Smallguy

Hi I raced my first race last night and it was a short track event

I'd say 1-1.5km (guessing could be 2km) per lap and 8 laps

I didn't do as well as I wanted

my HR was in Zone 3 and 4 the whole race and found my the time I settled in the leaders were gone.

I was with the group will we hit the first single track section and then I let people "go" figuring I'd catch up and pick off a few of them.... well I only caught and passed 2 people one who had a mechanical so I wouldn't count that

there are a few sections to pass too and the climbs were short but steepish... but I did have a bit of trouble on them due to the wet muddy conditions

I didn't blow up though

what is a good strategy for a 30-40 min race ? I'm also 205 pounds and this is my first year of training

Ka_Jun

Have you read this and this, yet? I'm in the same boat as you, 205 and raced my first race last October. Plan to race the entire series this year. Where do you think you were weakest, or could improve? Looking back on what I did, I know that I need to have better start position initially, a quick start, and I need to make sure other racers earn it if they're going to pass.

Smallguy

I have not read either of those books but will add em to my collection soon

I think I need to develop that switch... I am pretty laid back and easy going.. need to be more aggressive in a race... also race more get some confidence I was scared i might blow up but the race was less than 40 mins so that would probably be tough to do

I think a combination of being more aggressive and experience will help

Ka_Jun

Fun, though, eh? I hurt both my hands, but it was a rush. I wasn't happy w/ my personal performance, either, but that's a good thing, gives you something to strive towards for next time.

Smallguy

I did a 5 hour race over the weekend.... it was good times I felt like I had another lap in me and should have forced myself to push that limit.. but with a 4 hour drive home and not wanting organizers waiting on me I didn't do another lap before handing out awards and such.... would have brought me up a few places too.

long technical climbs seem to zap me i need to get out on the roads mroe and atleast get fit enough for a lnog climb then work on the technical aspect

Smallguy

reading Brian's book now some good tips... only a few chapters in but it's making me think a bit more about how I pedal already. I tend to apply roughly the same force around the entire stroke but I'm thinking I'll have more success buy increasing my power output between the 12 and 6 position.... before I only really did this to accelerate

I'll try it out on my fav trail system here since I have it pretty dialed lately