Tempus
Fugit ITT (Summer) 35+ 3/4
Field
Size: 25
Placing:
12
Start
Time: 9:17am (Finishing time
00:28:31)
Teammates:
Manny Managbanag
Average
Speed: 23.3 MPH, Top Speed 36.5 MPH
Average
HR: 178 Max HR: 185
Power:
No Power for TT bike
Elevation
Ascent: 604 Ft.
Weather:
65.7 degrees avg, little drizzly, not
much wind
Race
Data http://tpks.ws/MTkN
I got a good night sleep and
woke up feeling rested. Had my normal
pre-race breakfast, packed some Clif Bars, and some Peet’s coffee. My
Specialized TT bike was all ready to go.
I use my Zipp 404s with a Wheelbuilder
Aerodisk cover for my rear wheel.
Awesome set up for now! I
pre-rode this course earlier in the week on my road bike. Good pavement and you can stay in aero
position entire time. Rollers going out
and a 180 degree turn around that splits the course on the return. My goal was to get sub 30 min, and finish in
top 10. I was racing in the combines 3/4
and wanted to at least place higher than some 3s. Registration happens on the side of the road
before the parking and start line. So
pullover and register then go to parking lot to warm up. I got a 20 minute warm-up on the
trainer. I was shooting for 30, but ran
out of time. I used to enjoy showing up
a little late because my nerves would get to me if I had any idle time. Now I need to start getting to races early,
because I keep cutting myself short on warm-ups and getting to the start line
first. Legs and body felt just fine. I moved my arm rest in about 1 ½ inches to
make my shoulders more closely and a more aggressive aero position. During training this week it was hurting my
forearms a bit, but didn’t bother me by the time I was racing.
Lined up at start and we are 1
minute apart. There is no ramp to start
on and they don’t have anyone holding you up at the start. :( It
took me an extra try to clip in on the left side once I started. Shoot thats 1 second down. Got into a good position and settled in. Since I don’t have a power meter I used my HR
to gauge my effort. I aimed for a HR of
180 on the way out (Threshold) and 183 on the way back. Less climbing on the way to the finish line,
and I could take a second or too off the pedals on fast turns if needed. I stayed tucked the entire time till the turn
around. I need to practice this sharp
turnaround. Doing a 180 around a cone on
a TT bike while clipped in on a wet surface is tough! I lost a few seconds
here. I quickly accelerated and got aero
again. It feels so awesome going fast on
a TT bike! No one was going to catch me;
the guy behind me was 90 seconds off the back now. I never saw my one minute ahead guy. The sharp turns towards the end were
approaching and I stayed aero for all but one!
It was just because I wasn’t used to the course yet. That will come in time. My last 2 miles I was pushing it hard and
leaving it all on the course. I finished
strong and happy with a 00:28:31 finish time.
Quite a few of us finished within seconds of each other. I was only 11 seconds out of a top 10. I did
beat some Cat 3 guys also. I can see
where I could have picked up some seconds.
This ITT by Red Kite Racing happens in April and August. Hopefully it stays around.
My next race is Fremont PeakHill Climb September 8th! NCNCAs Hill ClimbChampionship!
Thanks
to SJBC!
Thanks
to Clif Bar!
Thanks
to Specialized!
Thanks
to my Teammates!
Thanks
to Concept Cyclery in Morgan Hill!
Always
a thanks to my wife and daughter!
Thanks
for reading!
