Competed in the Upper Freehold ITT (Individual Time Trial) yesterday, and came out tired, but with good data. This was my first race this season, having skipped the earlier time trials for hatred of the 50mph crosswinds that the Jersey shore can produce so early in the year. Until recently I have been doing entirely base miles (slower pace over longer distances), and over 1500 of them. I initially thought that I had good speed going into the race, but now on the other side I know it isn’t true. According to the official timing and scoring I managed a 00:30:01.77 (h:m:s) at a 22.575 average over 11.3 miles. My Garmin says otherwise and although I wasn’t using the speed sensor, I think the Garmin is a little more true to my performance.

Photo by Jan Curran

Immediately leaving the gate, I felt good and settled into a comfortable albeit fast rhythm. My heart rate, around 170bpm, was right where I wanted it. This beautiful scenario was quickly smashed when I hit the first roller which brought me into the red zone immediately. You can see from the data below that this is where my problems started.

(Click to enlarge)

Because it was the first hill and because I was able to topple it rather quickly, my body recovered once over the top. However, with each subsequent hill my HR went through the roof and then remained high. Somewhere after mile three or four I developed and odd sensation in my chest; like a grapefruit had been lodged deep within. I pressed on, but each roller really started taking its toll on me until I could barely get over them above 15 mph.

Overall, I am pleased that I got out and did another race and gave it my best shot. As for my performance, I know what I need to work on and know I need to work much harder if I expect to beat my personal best at the Kingwood TT (end of July).

I am totally committed to entering a time trial next cycling season. I decided this past week that with a little more training I could definately do it. So next year I am going to start with some 20-35km time trials. After speaking briefly with some of the guys at my LBS (local bike shop you n00bs) it seems that around here the TTs are all kept very flat which will be extremely beneficial to a big guy like me.

I am extremely excited about this, of course, and am going to be modifying my training as well as turning it up a notch. Tomorrow will start a series of sessions devoted to flatland riding. I have a perfect road that is essentially flat that I can just tear up and down. I will do this, pushing my bike as fast as I can for as long as I can (or until the road ends). Much like hill workouts for XC (cross country, come on try and keep up) where you sprint up steep hills, these should help me get better situated on the bike in an aero position and help me get some better straight line speed.